The term identifies a secret revolutionary organization that was founded by Samuel Adams in the American colonies to advance the rights of the colonists and to fight British taxation. This group employed various tactics, including protests, boycotts, and at times, acts of violence and intimidation against British officials and loyalists. They played a significant role in galvanizing public opinion against British policies leading up to the American Revolution. An example of their actions includes the organized resistance to the Stamp Act in 1765.
The existence of this association highlighted the growing colonial discontent and served as a crucial element in the burgeoning movement for independence. It demonstrated the capacity of colonists to organize and coordinate resistance across different colonies. Furthermore, the organization’s activities helped to erode British authority and fostered a sense of shared identity among the colonists, contributing to the eventual outbreak of the American Revolutionary War. The organization demonstrated an early form of popular resistance against perceived injustices.
