Adams Braintree Farm Analysis

1776 is a film about the path to American independence. Specifically the actions and conversations that the continental congress took part in. John Adams is the first character that is introduced in the movie. He has proposed the Idea of American independence before the congress 23 times and has been rejected every time because Adams is perceived as obnoxious and disliked within the congress. Adams goes to Benjamin Franklin for help getting congress to listen to him and Franklin suggests that they get Richard Henry Lee to propose Independence instead of Adams, because the congressmen like Lee more than Adams. Richard Lee then proceeds to go to his home colony of Virginia to get approval for the resolution. Lee comes back to Philadelphia

On November 9th congress in Philadelphia received the message informing them that the King would not receive their petition of peace. This was a huge blow to those in America against a war such as John Dickinson, the writer of the Olive branch petition. The King not only refused to look at the petition, but also declared the Colonies in a state of rebellion after intercepting personal letters from John Adams confessing he was preparing for war even after signing the Olive Branch petition claiming to be loyal to the King.

“Washington fought as a general in the army in the American Revolutionary War, which was from 1775-1783 and eventually gave America its independence” (Cox 893). Probably the most memorable moment in the war was in december of seventeen seventy six. Washington took his troops in freezing cold weather over the Delaware River to defeat the British and their mercenary hessians, which made a huge turning point in the war. In contrast, Adams wars were fought in the courtroom. He was from the north and went to law school at Harvard University (Peabody 37). His most notable event is when he defended British troops after the Boston Massacre had occurred. Eight soldiers were convicted of murder and Adams took their case and soon made history as all were forgiven of their

In 1776, Adams devoted himself completely into the issues about American independence. A resolution, namely the Declaration of Independence, claimed that actions should be taken to make sure that every citizen of the United States should live in the "happiness and safety", was passed by Congress. Adams, as the writer of the introduction of the Declaration as well as one of the editors of the draft, spelled out the principle of independence. While because of his belief that the cause of independence was more important than some phenomena at that time, he did not protest when Congress cut the denouncement of slavery from the Declaration, although he was a lifelong opponent of it. Even though he was considered to have made little contributions to the details of the Declaration of Independence, according to Thomas Jefferson, he served as "the pillar of its support on the floor Congress." (John Adams)

The soldier’s time to serve would be up in just ten days, the British continued to win battles, all hope of winning the war was fading and everyone was ready to put down their weapons and surrender to Great Britain. However, George Washington was not settling with anything less than trying their best. He kept that little flicker of hope that was still left, alive. The Continental Congress did not see much hope in the war either and turned the responsibility of the war to General George Washington. Washington received a message from Congress saying,

To protect the American people the Continental Congress assigned General George Washington as commander of the American troops in part because his soldiers had already won the battle of Bunker Hill. An estimated ⅓ of people wanted the colonies to stay loyal to the British, ⅓ wanted to break free and declare independence from Great Britain, and the rest didn’t know what they wanted. While the American people were confused on what to do the delegates in Philadelphia were unsure what to do about the Declaration. However they knew they were running out of time to make a decision.

George Washington was a very wise decision for the leader of the Continental Army. Washington had gained quite a bit of fighting experience during the Seven Years’ war and had earned himself a spot as the colonies’ most well-known military officer. The Second Continental Congress knew that making a southerner like Washington the colonial leader would help strengthen colonial unity among the troops. In response to Washington’s appointment, Britain officially declared the colonies to be in a state of rebellion. They sent over thousands of soldiers and ordered that all colonial ports be closed. The selection of George Washington as the leader of the continental Army was the Second Continental Congress’s most significant decision

    Later on, in 1775 George was unanimously selected to be Commander-in-Chief of the Second Continental Congress, ("Primary Documents in American History").  Even though Washington was used to commanding a small militia, he had an excellent strategy.  His first move was to occupy Dorchester Heights, where he brought supplies from Fort Ticonderoga and forced the British to evacuate Boston.  Throughout the war for Independence, Washington continued to use his unique strategies.  His strategies he used on the Hessians in Trenton was the surprise attack.  Most of the battles he fought, he planned out very well. He failed sometimes, but that didn’t stop him from fighting.  Washington was well organized, very attentive to details, and expected hard work and effort from his troops.  During every war Washington would visit his home ten times, he stayed in Valley Forge.  During the wars he would also write letters to help his army by giving cattle to his army to feed them.  Then, The Treaty of Paris ended the war for Independence and started The Revolutionary War.  In June of 1775, Congress ordered General Washington to lead the Continental Army in

He collaborated with his cousin, revolutionary leader Samuel Adams, but he established his own prominence prior to the American Revolution. After the Boston Massacre, despite severe local anti-British sentiment, he provided a successful though unpopular legal defense of the accused British soldiers, driven by his devotion to the right to counsel and the of innocence"]]. As a delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Congress, Adams played a leading role in persuading Congress to declare independence. He assisted Thomas Jefferson in drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and was its foremost advocate in the Congress. As a diplomat in Europe, he helped negotiate the eventual peace treaty with Great Britain, and acquired vital governmental loans from Amsterdam bankers. Adams was the primary author of the Massachusetts Constitution in 1780 which influenced American political theory, as did his earlier Thoughts on Government.

Once they heard that all of these were in Lexington and Concord they quickly headed that way, but as soon as they reached town they were met with angry armed colonists that made them swiftly retreat after intense fire. Around this state of war the second continental congress was assembled. It appointed George Washington as the general of the army and began financing the war. Later on this group also appointed five people, one being Thomas Jefferson, to draft the Declaration of Independence. After it was finalized, congress declared independence from Great Britain and officially accepted the American identity the colonists were

The news got back to England, and King George III was angered when he heard the outcome of Boston. He spoke before Parliament and ordered that the rebels were to be stopped. The British, devastated by the defeat, returned later in the year, this time with more reinforcements and the help of the Hessians. New York City was now the new battleground. The battles and conflicts that lie ahead once again reminded Washington of what kind of army he had.

This was a meeting of delegates from colonies to discuss what to do about the British. This first congress, decided on two actions. The adoption of: Declaration and Resolves: expressing their discontent. The second action was to stop trading with the British. As this was going on, the British heard that John Hancock and Samuel Adams were both hiding in Lexington and they were also hiding lots of gunpowder in Concord. The British sent troops which led to the battle of Lexington and Concord. This was a turning point. Hundreds of soldiers died on both sides. The reality of the battle sent a message that there was no going back and in 1775, the Second Continental Congress presided by John Hancock declared war against Britain. John Hancock named George Washington Supreme Commander and as Washington fought on the battlefield Hancock worked on creating the vision for a new country. As president of the Second Congress Hancock asked some of the members to write the, soon to be, Declaration of Independence which was finalized and adopted on July 4, 1776. Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence and his signature is by far the

The step in planning a revolution was to keep the unity, and the cooperation of the thirteen colonies. A short years ago, Adams formed Committees of Correspondence, which all towns in Massachusetts maintained open connection. Colonial committees should be brought together in one location. For this target, the First Continental Congress was held in Philadelphia and it created the first independent revolutionary government. The Congress was attended by delegates of 12 colonies. The one that did not attend was Georgia. Samuel was mostly noted for his supporter for independence. The attendees decided to boycott British goods until the Coercive Acts were repealed. When Salvation Army returned to Massachusetts. By April 1775, the crown offered a reward to anyone who could capture Samuel Adams and John Hancock. After Thomas Gage issued an order to capture them. Salvation Army and Hancock who resided in Boston had to find a place to hide in Lexington. On the night of April 18, Paul Revere went on his famous ride to warn both patriots that the British were coming to arrest them. Also, on his way he warned the residents that they were coming to confiscate their ammunition. That night one single shot was fired on the Lexington Green marking the beginning of the American Revolutionary War, and it wasn't known from where it

In May 1775, with Redcoats once again attacking Boston, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. It was agreed that a continental army would be created. The Congress commissioned George Washington to be the supreme commander. Congress approved the olive branch petition which is a direct appeal to the king. The American colonist pleaded with King George III for a peaceful resolution and declared their loyalty to the crown. The King did not take the plea and declared the colonist to be in a state of

Delegates sent it to England, which insulted the King. They agreed to meet again in May 1775. During the second Continental Congress, the delegates decided that they needed to protect themselves and declare war against England. The delegates made George Washington in charge of all the militia (Ferling (n.d.); 'The Revolutionary War Index', (n.d.)).