The sons and daughters of liberty
The Sons and Daughters of Liberty were patriots (supporters of republicanism and the acknowledgement of their inalienable rights) who knew that discussion alone would not be enough to make the British government take action. The secret society was founded in response to the Stamp Act. They knew that they were the ones who had to act if they wanted any changes, and did their best to contribute to the movement of defiance across the colonies.
The Sons of Liberty were the more violent and outspoken of the two groups. The members often ransacked the houses of British officials and threatened the tax collectors, causing many of them to flee from the most prominent patriot towns for their safety. The leaders of the Sons of Liberty groups often met in a secret location in order to coordinate their biggest action, such as hanging and burning images of the unpopular British officials on the towns’ “Liberty Trees” in an attempt to scare the British away. Often, the members of the secret society would ensure that at least one of their members was elected to Congress, so that they would have an input in the governmental decisions.
The Daughters of Liberty acted in more discreet ways, but they were just as important. Because the colonists began boycotting most imported goods after the Townshend Acts-which put taxes on glass, paper, tea, lead, paper, and fabrics-were passed, there was a textile shortage in the colonies. The Daughters of Liberty held mass spinning bees in order to replace all of the boycotted clothes and fabric materials. In addition to aiding the success of the boycott, the Daughters of Liberty refused to accept any guests into their homes unless they were sympathetic to the patriot cause.
The Sons of Liberty were the more violent and outspoken of the two groups. The members often ransacked the houses of British officials and threatened the tax collectors, causing many of them to flee from the most prominent patriot towns for their safety. The leaders of the Sons of Liberty groups often met in a secret location in order to coordinate their biggest action, such as hanging and burning images of the unpopular British officials on the towns’ “Liberty Trees” in an attempt to scare the British away. Often, the members of the secret society would ensure that at least one of their members was elected to Congress, so that they would have an input in the governmental decisions.
The Daughters of Liberty acted in more discreet ways, but they were just as important. Because the colonists began boycotting most imported goods after the Townshend Acts-which put taxes on glass, paper, tea, lead, paper, and fabrics-were passed, there was a textile shortage in the colonies. The Daughters of Liberty held mass spinning bees in order to replace all of the boycotted clothes and fabric materials. In addition to aiding the success of the boycott, the Daughters of Liberty refused to accept any guests into their homes unless they were sympathetic to the patriot cause.