2.1: The Prominent Pre-Revolution Loyalist: Thomas Hutchinson and the Stamp Act

History: Beyond the Textbook

Now known as the prototypical Loyalist, it wasn't always this way...Thomas Hutchinson was one of the most well-known men in Boston when the French and Indian War ended. He had a successful career as a merchant and a public servant, with a keen eye towards further advancement in the political climate in pre-Revolutionary North America. Yet, Hutchinson wasn't necessarily a fan of the "Acts" that Britain passed following the war...so how did he become associated with those who stood firm in their loyalty to Britain at all costs? In the season opener of History: Beyond the Textbook, we begin the study of America's Revolution with Thomas Hutchinson's role in the Sugar and Stamp Acts, along with his path towards choosing his "side" in the coming conflict.
Key People
Thomas Hutchinson
Benjamin Franklin
Samuel Adams
Key Events
Stamp Act
Sugar Act
Boston Massacre
Albany Conference

The second season of History: Beyond the Textbook focuses on the stories of individuals who shaped the Revolutionary era in American history, and runs from February 27-May 7.
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