John Hancock’s Influences on the American Revolution
...cause. The Stamp Act crisis brought a rapid political reorientation for Hancock. He deserted his conservative fellow businessmen and aligned himself with the radicals in Boston. Here, he developed a strong working relationship with Samuel Adams. In 1774, they formed a Provincial Congress outside the grasp of royal officials. Hancock was chosen as president of this body. Later, as the crisis in Massachusetts deepened, General Thomas Gage issued arrest orders for Hancock and Adams on charges of treason. Hancock became a delegate to the Second Continental Congress in 1775. He was the presiding officer, and was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence which he signed in a clearly identifiable fashion. From 1780-1785, Hancock served as governor of Massachusetts. He elected to sit out a term, however, he returned to office in 1787. In 1788, Hancock presided over the Massachusetts convention that was charged with the ratification decision on the U.S. Constitution. The body was swayed in the end by a speech by Hancock urging ratification if a bill of rights were attached. John Hancock continued to serve as governor for the state of Massachusetts until his death in 1793. These were major influences on the outcome of the American Revolution and the outcome of our country today. If someone like John Hancock had not chosen to be the leader he was, our country would still belong to Britain. It took people like this to make a difference, stretch the bounda...