Thomas Jefferson of Virginia crafts a final document which lays out old grievances and aspirations for a new form of government “of the people”
Between 1773 and 1775 British authorities arbitrarily raise taxes on the colonies to pay for costly wars with France
The feisty John Adams of Massachusetts adds backbone to those who waver during the debates
A colonial portrait
This congress runs from 1775 to 1776, with Ben Franklin representing Pennsylvania and backing independence
Britain’s responds to the Congress by doubling down on its use of military force against the wayward colonists
Photography Book
The pamphleteer, Thomas Paine, now becomes a powerful voice in convincing the colonists to seek their freedom
On July 4, 1776, the delegates gather at Independence Hall in Philadelphia to sign their brief and announce their new nation to the world
Typical colonial dress during British rule, in this case a “town crier,” a court officer issuing public proclamations
American Revolution - Colonials Dress
John Adams of Massachusetts and his cousin, Samuel Adams, speak out against this “taxation without representation”
This leads to armed violence in 1775 at Lexington, Mass, when American minutemen “fire the shot heard round the world” against redcoat troops
Virginia lawyer whose passionate 1775 demand “Give me liberty or give me death” in response to repressive acts by the Crown helps to spark the Declaration of Independence & Revolutionary War. Then 1st Governor of Virginia, 1776-1779. Anti-Federalist who opposes ratification of 1787 Constitution.
At the convention, George Washington, a former officer in the British colonial army, emerges as a leader of those considering independence
Even a staunch Loyalist like George Read of Delaware is sufficiently troubled enough by British actions to appear
A colonial couple in wedding dress
John Jay and his fellow New Yorker, Robert Livingstone, signal their willingness to attend
With open warfare commencing, Washington calls for a Second Continental Congress to debate a final, formal break with the Crown
The British army responds immediately at the Battle of Bunker Hill which temporarily drives the Americans out of Boston
James Madison guides the delegates through the case to be made for separation and for a new government to follow
The First Continental Congress is held at Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia
James Madison joins the resistance along with another Virginian, Patrick Henry, whose “give me liberty or give me death” speech rallies support
A town crier
From London, elder statesman, Ben Franklin encourages a convention to discuss the possibility of bold actions
A colonial magistrate
John Hancock (1737-1793) First to sign the Declaration of Independence and a President of the Second Continental Congress
When Americans dump tea in Boston harbor in 1773 to protest, Britain uses military force to achieve compliance
Meanwhile Captain Aaron Burr joins Benedict Arnold in a failed attempt to take and hold Montreal and Quebec City
The Virginian, Thomas Jefferson, argues in a pamphlet that the “rights” of British citizens living in America are being violated
Patrick Henry (1736-1799)