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Samuel Adams

by Michael Lee in History, January 3, 2007

This paper gives you background on Samuel Adams and some of his accomplishments.

Samuel Adams was a very prominent figure of the American Revolution. He had the ability to push political ideas through town meetings, and later, Congress. His fiery ideas and common sense made him one of the most respected leaders in American history. Adams was extremely influential, and because of this, he led the country to independence. Adams was behind nearly every protest against British rule, including protests against the Sugar Act and the Coercive Acts. In the beginning, Adams has goals in life to be a clergyman. However, as time went on, Adams falls into debt. Becoming a tax collector, he sympathizes with those who cannot pay. Thus, Adams never reaches his minimum collection amount, moving him even further into debt. When his father, Deacon Adams, loaned Samuel ?1000, Samuel foolishly gave it all away to friends. When Deacon Adams died, Samuel had an extremely hard time because his father had always provided for any financial request. His malt business failed, and all the property was sought after by the mass amounts of creditors, from whom Samuel borrowed money. In spite of this unpleasant situation, Samuel still played a vital role in the forming of America. Nonetheless, he was an Anti Federalist, against the Constitution that provided for a strong government. This opposition provided a nucleus for the Democratic political party.

Another important quality Adams possessed was a minor case of palsy, a nervous disorder; affecting his hands only when excited. Because of this, he could not easily write to friends. Rather than write, Adams’s only option was to dictate his letters. Some of Adams’s other important accomplishments included playing an active role in the Boston Tea Party in 1773, serving in the First and Second Continental Congress in 1774-1775, and signing the Declaration of Independence in 1776. John Adams was Samuel Adams cousin, and became the second president of the United States. Samuel graduated from Harvard in 1740, receiving a M.A. degree, thus being highly educated. Adams first opposed the Constitution of the United States; however, he eventually supported its ratification in Massachusetts. He was the governor of Massachusetts from 1793-1797, and died on October 2, 1803.

In conclusion, Adams was an extremely important figure in American history. His fiery speeches and common sense ideas made him Britain’s prime opponent. It is for these reasons why Adams still remains a significant character today.

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