The Sons of Liberty was a secret organization of American Patriots which originated in the Thirteen Colonies during the American Revolution. British authorities and their supporters known as Loyalists considered the Sons of Liberty as seditious rebels, referring to them as "Sons of Violence" and "Sons of Iniquity." Patriots attacked the apparatus and symbols of British authority and power such as property of the gentry, Customs officers, East India Company tea, and as the war approached, vocal supporters of the Crown. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (commonly abbreviated MGS2) is a stealth-based game that was developed and published by Konami for the PlayStation 2 in 2001. ... A secret society is a social organization that requires its members to conceal certain activities—such as rites of initiation or club ceremonies—from outsiders. ... This article concerns Patriots in the American Revolutionary War. ... In 1775, the British claimed authority over the red and pink areas on this map and Spain ruled the orange. ... John Trumbulls Declaration of Independence, showing the five-man committee in charge of drafting the Declaration in 1776 as it presents its work to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia The American Revolution refers to the period during the last half of the 18th century in which the Thirteen... Britannia offers solace and a promise of compensation for her exiled American born Loyalists. ... A rebellion is, in the most general sense, a refusal to accept authority. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A customs officer is generally a law enforcement officer working to enforce customs laws, with duties such as detecting and confiscating contraband, making sure that import duties are paid, and preventing those without legal authorization to do so from entering the jurisdiction. ... East India Company was the name of several historical European companies chartered with the monopoly of trading with Asia; more specifically with India. ... This article refers to the Commonwealths concept of the monarchys legal authority. ...

Origin

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The Sons of Liberty took their name from a debate on the Stamp Act in Parliament in February, 1765. Charles Townshend, speaking in support of the act, spoke contemptuously of the American colonists as being "children planted by our care, nourished up by our indulgence... and protected by our arms." Then Isaac Barre, a Member of Parliament and supporter of the American colonists, responded by describing the Americans as "the Sons of Liberty" and warned that they would resist the new tax. In the autumn, those who resisted the Stamp Act became synonymous with the Sons of Liberty. Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... The Stamp Act of 1765 (short title Duties in American Colonies Act 1765; 5 George III, c. ... The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative institution in the United Kingdom and British overseas territories (it alone has parliamentary sovereignty). ... This page is on the former Chancellor of the Exchequer. ... Isaac Barré (1726—1802), British soldier and politician, was born at Dublin in 1726, the son of a French refugee. ...

In the popular imagination (as in the novel Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes), the Sons of Liberty was a formal underground organization with recognized members and leaders. More likely, the name was an umbrella term for any men resisting new Crown taxes and laws. Newspaper articles, handbills, referred to "True Born Sons of Liberty," "Sons of Freedom," "Liberty Boys", and "Daughters of Liberty." The label let organizers issue anonymous summons to a Liberty Tree, "Liberty Pole", or other public meeting-places, let Patriot groups in one town communicate with those elsewhere, and let any man or boy imagine himself a Son of Liberty. Johnny Tremain, a 1943 childrens novel by Esther Forbes, retells in narrative form the final years in Boston, Massachusetts, prior to the outbreak of the American Revolution. ... Esther Forbes (June 28, 1891 - August 12, 1968) was an United States of America Bio- Bibliography, novelist, and childrens writer who received both a Pulitzer Prize and a Newbery Medal. ... The Sons of Liberty tarring and feathering a tax collector underneath the Liberty Tree The Liberty Tree (1646–1775) was a famous oak tree that stood near the commons of Boston, Massachusetts Colony, in the days before the American Revolution. ... A Liberty pole is a tall flagstaff planted in the ground, often surmounted by an ensign or a liberty cap (see Phrygian cap). ...

While the officers and leaders of the Sons of Liberty “were drawn almost entirely from the middle and upper ranks of colonial society,” they recognized the need to expand their power base to include "the whole of political society, involving all of its social or economic subdivisions." Prominent leaders included Paul Revere, Thomas Young, Joseph Warren, Alexander McDougall, Patrick Henry, John Hancock, Isaac Sears, John Lamb, James Otis, Marinus Willett, John Adams, and his cousin, Samuel Adams, who was a leader of the New England resistance. Silas Downer, a so-called "Forgotten Patriot", spoke as a Sons of Liberty member at one of the famed Liberty Trees in 1766.^[1] Members were drawn from across class distinctions, although these borders were less well-defined in colonial America. In order to do this, the Sons of Liberty relied on large public demonstrations to expand their base.^[2] They learned early on that controlling such crowds was problematical, although they strived to control "the possible violence of extra-legal gatherings." While the organization professed its loyalty to both local and British established government, possible military action as a defensive measure was always part of their considerations. Throughout the Stamp Act Crisis, the Sons of Liberty professed continued loyalty to the King because they maintained a "fundamental confidence" in the expectation that Parliament would do the right thing and repeal the tax.^[3] For the song by the Beastie Boys, see Paul Revere (song). ... Dr. Thomas Young was an American radical during the American Revolutionary War who advocated for independence from Britain. ... This article is about the American doctor, soldier and statesman during the American Revolutionary War. ... Alexander McDougall (1731-1786) was an American seaman, merchant, and leader from New York City during the Revolutionary War. ... Patrick Henry (May 29, 1736 – June 6, 1799) was a prominent figure in the American Revolution, known and remembered primarily for his stirring oratory. ... John Hancock (January 23 [O.S. January 12] 1737– October 8, 1793) was President of the Second Continental Congress and of the Congress of the Confederation, the first Governor of Massachusetts, and the first person to sign the United States Declaration of Independence. ... Col Isaac King Sears (abt July 1 1730 - October 28, 1786) was an American merchant, captain, privateer and politician who played an important role in the American Revolution. ... For other persons of the same name, see John Lamb. ... This article is about the political advocate. ... Marinus Willett (July 31, 1740 – August 22, 1830) was an American soldier and political leader from New York City. ... For other persons named John Adams, see John Adams (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Samuel Adams (disambiguation). ... The Sons of Liberty tarring and feathering a tax collector underneath the Liberty Tree The Liberty Tree (1646–1775) was a famous oak tree that stood near the commons of Boston, Massachusetts Colony, in the days before the American Revolution. ...

History

1849 artist's impression of the Boston Tea Party

The Bostonians Paying the Excise-Man, 1774 British propaganda print referring to the tarring and feathering of Boston Commissioner of Customs John Malcolm four weeks after the Boston Tea Party. The men also poured hot tea down Malcolm's throat as can be seen. Note the noose hanging on the Liberty Tree, and the Stamp Act posted upside-down

Groups identifying themselves as Sons of Liberty existed in almost every colony. The organization spread month by month after independent starts in several different colonies. August 1765, was celebrated as the founding of the group in Boston.^[4] While Samuel Adams was the organizer of the Boston group^[5], this group had formerly existed as the "Loyal Nine" and there is no evidence it was originally a tool of radicals such as Adams and Otis.^[6] By November 6, a committee was set up in New York to correspond with other colonies, and in December an alliance was formed between groups in New York and Connecticut. In January, there was established a correspondence link between Boston and Manhattan, and by March, Providence had initiated connections with New York, New Hampshire, and Newport, Rhode Island. Also, by March, Sons of Liberty organizations had been established in New Jersey, Maryland, and Norfolk, Virginia, and a local group established in North Carolina was attracting interest in South Carolina and Georgia.^[7] Image source : http://teachpol. ... Image source : http://teachpol. ... Image File history File links 1774_lynching. ... Image File history File links 1774_lynching. ... Tax rates around the world Tax revenue as % of GDP Economic policy Monetary policy Central bank   Money supply Fiscal policy Spending   Deficit   Debt Trade policy Tariff   Trade agreement Finance Financial market Financial market participants Corporate   Personal Public   Banking   Regulation        Excise tax, sometimes called an excise duty, is a type of... 1967 Chinese propaganda poster from the Cultural Revolution. ... Nickname: City on the Hill, Beantown, The Hub (of the Universe)1, Athens of America, The Cradle of Revolution, Puritan City, Americas Walking City Location in Massachusetts, USA Counties Suffolk County Mayor Thomas M. Menino(D) Area    - City 232. ... Commissioner is a designation that may be used for a variety of official positions, especially referring to a high-ranking public (administrative or police) official, or an analogous official in the private sector (e. ... Customs is an authority or agency in a country responsible for collecting customs duties and for controlling the flow of animals and goods (including personal effects and hazardous items) in and out of a country. ... John Malcolm was a Bostonian who worked for the British customs service at the time of the American Revolution who was the victim of one of the most publicized tarring and feathering incidents during the unrest leading up to the Revolutionary War. ... This article is about a 1773 American protest. ... The Sons of Liberty tarring and feathering a tax collector underneath the Liberty Tree The Liberty Tree (1646–1775) was a famous oak tree that stood near the commons of Boston, Massachusetts Colony, in the days before the American Revolution. ... A stamp act is a law enacted by a government that requires a tax to be paid on the transfer of certain documents. ... For other uses, see Samuel Adams (disambiguation). ...

North American colonists from Savannah to Halifax resisted the Stamp Act in 1765, through legislative resolutions (starting in Province of Virginia), public demonstrations (starting in Province of Massachusetts), threats, and occasional violence. The success of this popular movement — the Stamp Act became unenforceable and was repealed in May 1766 — emboldened colonial Whigs to resist other new taxes with similar measures in the following years. In 1768, in response to the Townshend Act, the Sons of Liberty were able to impose a virtual blockade of British goods. The 1609 charter for the Virginia colony from sea to sea The Virginia Colony refers to the English colony in North America that existed during the 17th and 18th centuries before the American Revolution. ... The Province of Massachusetts Bay was a crown colony organized October 7, 1691 in North America by the monarch of England. ... The Radical Whigs were a group of British political commentators who played a relevant role in the American Revolution. ... The Townshend Acts were passed in 1767 by the British Parliament, having been proposed by Charles Townshend as Chancellor of the Exchequer just before his death. ...

The burning of the HMS Gaspée

In 1766, the Sons of Liberty (a.k.a. "Liberty Boys") in the Province of New York erected a Liberty Pole in New York City to celebrate the repeal of the Stamp Act. There was a long-running skirmish over these Liberty Poles with the British troops stationed there (the most notable engagement being the Battle of Golden Hill on 19 January 1770). As poles were alternately erected by Patriots and cut down by troops, violent outbreaks over it raged intermittently from 1766 until the Patriots gained control of New York City government in April 1775. The last liberty pole was cut down by occupying British troops on 28 October 1776.^[8] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1504x2376, 1104 KB) Summary The Burning of the Gaspee. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1504x2376, 1104 KB) Summary The Burning of the Gaspee. ... A map of the Province of New York. ... A Liberty pole is a tall flagstaff planted in the ground, often surmounted by an ensign or a liberty cap (see Phrygian cap). ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... The Liberty Boys erected several poles with banners to celebrate the repeal of the Stamp Act. ... This article concerns Patriots in the American Revolutionary War. ... The New York Provincial Congress was an organization formed by rebels in 1775, during the American Revolution, as a replacement for the Province of New York Assembly, and as a replacement for the Committee of Sixty. ...

The Sons of Liberty were responsible for the burning of HMS Gaspée in 1772. Burning of the Gaspee The Gaspée Affair was an important incident in the course of the American Revolution. ...

In December 1773, the Sons of Liberty issued and distributed a declaration in New York City called the Association of the Sons of Liberty in New York which formally stated their opposition to the Tea Act and that anyone who assisted in the execution of the act was "an enemy to the liberties of America" and that "whoever shall transgress any of these resolutions, we will not deal with, or employ, or have any connection with him". The Sons of Liberty took direct action to enforce their opposition to the Tea Act at the Boston Tea Party. Members of the group, wearing disguises meant to evoke the appearance of Native American Indians, poured several tons of tea into the Boston Harbor in protest of the Tea Act. The Tea Act was an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain (13 Geo III c. ... This article is about a 1773 American protest. ...

The Sons of Liberty were widely accused of tarring and feathering The Bostonians Paying the Excise-Man, 1774 British propaganda print referring to the tarring and feathering of Boston Commissioner of Customs John Malcolm four weeks after the Boston Tea Party. ...

Early in the American Revolution, the Sons of Liberty generally evolved into or were superseded by more formal groups such as the Committee of Safety. Many Committees of Safety were established throughout Colonial America at the start of the American Revolution. ...

After the end of the American Revolutionary War, Isaac Sears along with Marinus Willet and John Lamb, in New York City, revived the Sons of Liberty. In March 1784, they rallied an enormous crowd which called for the expulsion of any remaining Loyalists from the state starting May 1. The Sons of Liberty were able to gain enough seats in the New York assembly elections of December 1784 to have passed a set of punitive laws against Loyalists. In this time period, it is said that John Adams and Sam Adams fought in jurisdiction due to the public offholding of public society as a system. In violation of the Treaty of Paris (1783) they called for the confiscation of the property of Loyalists.^[9] This article is about military actions only. ... Col Isaac King Sears (abt July 1 1730 - October 28, 1786) was an American merchant, captain, privateer and politician who played an important role in the American Revolution. ... For other persons of the same name, see John Lamb. ... Painting by Benjamin West depicting (from left to right) John Jay, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Henry Laurens, and William Temple Franklin. ...

Flags

Nine stripe Sons of Liberty flag

In 1767, the Sons of Liberty adopted a flag called the rebellious stripes flag with nine uneven vertical stripes (five red and four white). It is supposed that nine represented the number of colonies that were to attend the Stamp Act Congress. A flag having thirteen horizontal red and white stripes, used by American merchant ships during the war, was also associated with the Sons of Liberty. While red and white were common colors of the flags, other color combinations, such as green and white, in addition to yellow and white, were used.^[10][11] Image File history File links US_Sons_OfLiberty_9Stripes_Flag. ... Image File history File links US_Sons_OfLiberty_9Stripes_Flag. ... For other uses, see Flag (disambiguation). ... The Stamp Act Congress was a meeting in New York City in October of 1765 consisting of delegates from 9 of the 13 colonies that discussed and acted upon the recently passed Stamp Act. ... National flag and ensign of the United States, 1960–Present. ...

Later societies

The name was also used during the American Civil War. Early in 1864, the Copperhead organization, the Knights of the Golden Circle, was reorganized as the Order of the Sons of Liberty. Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... The Copperheads were a faction of Democrats in the North (see also Union (American Civil War)) who opposed the American Civil War, wanting an immediate peace settlement with the Confederates. ... The Knights of the Golden Circle (KGC) was a secret society originally founded to promote Southern interests and prepare the way for annexation of a golden circle of territories in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean which would be included into the United States as southern or slave states. ...

The Improved Order of Red Men, a patriotic fraternal secret society, claims to actually be the Sons of Liberty, having adopted the Native American motif after the [[Boston Tea Part The Improved Order of Red Men is a Fraternal Organization established in the Baltimore, Maryland in 1834. ...

See also

• Société des Fils de la Liberté (Quebec)
• Stamp Act Congress
• Boston Tea Party

The Société des Fils de la Liberté was a paramilitary organization founded in August of 1837 in Lower Canada (modern-day Quebec) by young supporters of the Parti patriote who became impatient with the pace of progress of the movement for constitutional and parliamentary reforms. ... The Stamp Act Congress was a meeting in New York City in October of 1765 consisting of delegates from 9 of the 13 colonies that discussed and acted upon the recently passed Stamp Act. ... This article is about a 1773 American protest. ...

References

Bibliography

• Becker, Carl. Growth of Revolutionary Parties and Methods in New York Province 1765-1774. American Historical Review 1901 7(1): 56-76. Issn: 0002-8762 Fulltext: in Jstor
• Champagne, Roger J. Liberty Boys and Mechanics of New York City, 1764-1774. Labor History 1967 8(2): 115-135. Issn: 0023-656x Fulltext: in Ebsco
• Champagne, Roger J. New York's Radicals and the Coming of Independence. Journal of American History 1964 51(1): 21-40. Issn: 0021-8723 Fulltext: in Jstor
• Irvin, Benjamin H. Tar, Feathers, and the Enemies of American Liberties, 1768-1776. New England Quarterly 2003 76(2): 197-238. Issn: 0028-4866 Fulltext: in Jstor
• Maier, Pauline. From Resistance to Revolution: Colonial radicals and the development of American opposition to Britain, 1765-1776. (1991 - original 1972) ISBN 0-393-30825-1
• Miller, John C., Origins of the American Revolution. (1943) online edition
• Morais, Herbert M., The Sons of Liberty in New York in Richard B. Morris ed. The Era of the American Revolution (1939) pp 269-89 online edition
• Schecter, Barnet, The Battle of New York, 2002, ISBN 0802713742
• Smith, Page, A New Age Now Begins, 1976, ISBN 0070590974
• Unger, Harlow, John Hancock: Merchant King and American Patroit, 2000, ISBN 0785820264

External links

• The Sons of Liberty, ushistory.org
• The Sons of Liberty, u-s-history.com
• Sons of Liberty: Terrorists, Archiving Early America
• Sons Of Liberty Information
• Albany Sons of Liberty Constitution
• Association of the Sons of Liberty in New York, December 15, 1773

v • d • e New York in the American Revolutionary War
Pre-war	Sons of Liberty
1770	Battle of Golden Hill
1775	Capture of Fort Ticonderoga – Invasion of Canada
1776	New York and New Jersey campaign – Battle of Long Island – New York Prison Ships Begin – Landing at Kip's Bay – Battle of Harlem Heights – Great Fire of New York – Execution of Nathan Hale – Battle of Valcour Island – Battle of Pell's Point – Battle of White Plains – Battle of Fort Washington
1777	Meigs Raid – Saratoga campaign – Battle of Ticonderoga – Battle of Hubbardton – Battle of Fort Ann – Battle of Oriskany – Battle of Saratoga – Battle of Freeman's Farm – Battle of Bemis Heights
1778	Setauket Spy Ring Launched – Battle of Cobleskill – West Point established – Cherry Valley massacre
1779	Battle of Stony Point – Sullivan Expedition – Battle of Newtown
1780	First Purple Heart – André Capture Reveals Traitor Benedict Arnold
1781	HMS Culloden Runs Aground at Montauk – Washington Calls Off Invasion of New York to Support Yorktown
1782	Washington's Headquarters at Newburgh – Newburgh letter – British Evacuate New York – Washington's Farewell to His Officers