The resistance movement of 1765-1776 : the sons of liberty's quest for independence and the formation of the American identity

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Thesis (M.A.L.S.)--Georgetown University, 2010.; Includes bibliographical references.; Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. What can we learn about early manifestations of the American identity from a close analysis of organized resistance during the American Revolutionary movement of 1765-1776? How did the quest for independence embodied by the Sons of Liberty influence the formation of certain aspects of American core values and what continuities can be identified within American History?; A qualitative approach was utilized to investigate this research question and many secondary sources were consulted to get a comprehensive understanding of the topic. The secondary sources provided various viewpoints on the significance and role of the Sons of Liberty and their influence on the formation of the United States and its identity. Another component of this study were the primary sources from the period of 1765-1776 which were used to examine how the Sons of Liberty were portrayed as well as how the groups promoted themselves and their activities. The primary sources were comprised of newspaper articles and advertisements, handbills, broadsides, and music. The method of data analysis was interpretational as themes were identified related to the quest for independence and the development of the American identity. The findings have been communicated in an analytical narrative.; The value of this study can be found in its examination of the organized resistance movement present within the North American Colonies during 1765-1776 and the movement's connection to the development of certain aspects of the American identity. In an attempt to provide a well-rounded analysis, the study was comprised of the following four sections: emergence of the organized resistance movement, the origins, membership, and presence of the movement, key figures in the cities of Boston and New York, and tactics employed by the Sons of Liberty. Each section contains both primary and secondary sources to support the evaluation of the Sons of Liberty and their influence on the Colonies' quest for independence.; The organized resistance movement as embodied by the Sons of Liberty was able to develop a network of clubs and chapters throughout the North American Colonies and to unify Colonists in opposition to the Stamp Act. The intercolonial collaboration that occurred through the Sons of Liberty would serve as a model for resistance activities during the American Revolution. It was their quest for independence that led to the formation of the United States and the emergence of early manifestations of the American identity; an identity that valued participation in a representative system and an individual's right to liberty.
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