Tristan Cassell

2.21.23
HIS 141-701
Prof. Haas
Samuel Adams

1. Full name and years of life.

Samuel Adams, born in 1722 in Boston Massachusetts with a population of
12,000. Died October 3rd, 1803, from illness in the company of his wife and
family friends
(Son of Liberty)
2. Parents’ names and profession(s).
Father Deacon Adams was on the board of directors of the bank as a merchant,
he was said to have a prosperous family of brewers and lived in a comfortable
harborside house. Politically influenced family and mother practiced puritan faith.
(More Than a Beer)
3. Formal education (if any).
Graduated from Boston Latin School and attended Harvard to follow his fathers
footsteps in ministry but changed his bachelors degree to be in politics and
business.
(Son of Liberty)
4. Two to three (ONLY) significant contributions made by this person (what
made them notable).
During his role as a state legislator and tax collector, Adams spoke against
British taxation and pursued merchants to boycott British products. This was
notable because he consciously committed wrongdoing towards the government
and committed fraud at the expense to emphasize his beliefs.
Also as a writer for the newspaper Adams would commonly publish propaganda
promoting resistance to British authority. Adams played an influential role
towards leaders encouraging them to join the resistance against the British. This
paved the way for the Revolutionary War led by George Washington.
(History)
5. At least two (2) quotations ABOUT this person and his/her personality. These
should come ONLY FROM THOSE WHO KNEW HIM/HER PERSONALLY.
“If the British administration and government do not return to the principles of
moderation and equity, the evil which they profess to aim at preventing by their
own rigorous measures, will soon be brought to pass—the entire separation and
independence of the colonies.”
Tristan Cassell
2.21.23
HIS 141-701
Prof. Haas
“There can be no property in that which another can of right take from us without
our consent.”
(History)
6. Describe something about this person that provides insight into their
personality or personal motivations.
Samuel Adams despite working an influential role for the government and having
such knowledge in politics and business. He was an antagonist towards the
English parliament and he even committed tax fraud in order to push his agenda
and this shows his aggressive and passionate personality towards justice.
7. Something about this person that you personally found particularly
interesting.
I find Samuel Adams’ assertiveness and confidence to be inspiring. How
motivated and influential he was towards finding equitable outcomes and human
rights for Americans is some of the earliest forms of patriotism you can find. His
attitude towards British authority and his influence towards the revolutionary war
is exactly what it says, “revolutionary.”
8. Major events/changes/inventions by others that occurred during this person’s
lifetime that changed life in America. (This will give us a sense of what your
subject saw during their lifetime)
The Boston Tea Party and the Revolutionary War are two major world events
that took place during the lifetime of Samuel Adams and as a result of his
actions. The Tea Party was a response to the British Parliament Tea Act which
forced colonists' hands to buy tea from Britain and this event sparked the
beginnings of the Revolutionary War led by General Washington.
(The Life of an American Revolutionary)
9. People and/or events that had a strong influence on this person and HOW.
Adams was heavily influenced by his fathers actions while he was attending
Harvard. Deacon Adams was on the board of directors of the land bank which
was a response to the gold and silver shortage. This field Adams' interest in
politics and business. Adams would also educate himself on historians and
liberal writers.
(Son of Liberty)
10. People (be specific) who were strongly influenced by the life and work of this
person AND HOW THEY WERE INFLUENCED.
Tristan Cassell
2.21.23
HIS 141-701
Prof. Haas
Samuel Adams as delegate to the continental congress was one of the
signatures on the Declaration of Independence from Britain. Adams also helped
make up the Articles of Confederation which later became the United States
Constitution. In the grand scheme of things you could say the American people
even to this day are influenced and affected by the life work of Adams. Not only
his participation in our constitutional documentation which guarantees our basic
human rights but Adams’ role in sparking the Revolutionary War and generally
our independence from Britain.
11. Although Samuel Adams was cousin to John Adams, the two disagreed over
many things. Describe a couple of these disagreements. What do these tell us
about Samuel Adams passions?

Samuel Adams was a very vocal leader and known to cause controversy; in
contrast John, who was his second cousin and future president at the time, was a
more professional and controlled leader. John took on a diplomatic role in Europe
while Samuel returned to Boston. John was represented as a Federalist and
Samuel an anti-Federalist. Samuel felt betrayal from his cousin and this sparked
disagreement. Samuel feared a large strong national government. This indicates
Samuels passions were not to prioritize his relationship with the glorified John
Adams but to promote a free country and advocate for his beliefs as a legislator.

(John Adams)

12. Most of us know Samuel Adams for his vocal support of independence from
Britain. But what did he think of the new governments in America: the Articles of
Confederation and the U.S. Constitution that followed? Explain his views. Does
this change or reinforce your image of Samuel Adams?

Samuel Adams was opposed to the ideas of a large strong central government
because he felt that it mimicked that of Britain's which we just gained
independence from. Adams strongly opposed radical taxation and was an
advocate for morality amongst everyone and public education. He didn't have as
large of a platform as his cousin John who was vice president of Washington and
later elected as President. Samuel more so represented the local government of
Massachusetts and being an anti federalist he felt to be in the minority at the
time. I came into this research with little to no knowledge about Sam Adams,
however I admire his work and his drive, I think certainly during this time period
that is what it takes to inspire change and a revolution.

(John Adams)
Tristan Cassell
2.21.23
HIS 141-701
Prof. Haas

Works Cited

Alexander, John K. Samuel Adams: The Life of an American Revolutionary.

Rowman & Littlefield, 2013.

Benton, Michael. “John Adams.” John a Adams,

https://johnadamsinfo.com/samuel-adams/94/.

Irvin, Benjamin. Samuel Adams Son of Liberty, Father of Revolution. Oxford

University Press, 2002.

Rosen, Michael M. “More Than a Beer: Revolutionary: Samuel Adams.”

Commentary, Inc., 2023., Feb. 2023.

Samuel Adams - Quotes, Definition & Facts - History.

https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/samuel-adams.