The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams

Formed by Patriot leaders like Samuel Adams, the Committees of Correspondence were organizational structures that emerged as the colonies edged closer to collective rebellion against British rule. These committees served as precursors to more formal revolutionary governance and as tools for propaganda and intercolonial cooperation. Schiff emphasizes that the committees were instrumental in shaping the political landscape by enabling the colonies to exchange ideas and strategies, coordinate responses to British policies, and foster a sense of solidarity. The book particularly notes the Boston committee, which Adams initiated, for its role in catalyzing other colonies to establish similar groups, showcasing his strategic foresight and his ability to mobilize grassroots support for the revolutionary cause.

A convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies, the Continental Congress became the governing body of the US during the American Revolution. Schiff details how the Congress deliberated and acted on various issues from military appointments and foreign alliances to the eventual decision to declare independence. The text depicts Adams’s involvement in the Congress as vital, since his ideological rigor and political savvy influenced key debates and decisions. Schiff’s account highlights how Adams’s persistent advocacy for a break from Britain helped steer the Congress toward adopting the Declaration of Independence despite considerable opposition and uncertainty.