How was Sam Adams a hypocrite?

Answer 1

Sam Adams is often considered a hypocrite because, while he championed the cause of liberty and opposed British taxation, he himself was involved in smuggling goods to evade those same taxes. Additionally, he promoted democratic ideals and the rights of the colonists, yet he was also a proponent of mob violence and intimidation against loyalists and government officials. This inconsistency highlights the complex nature of revolutionary leaders who advocated for freedom while sometimes resorting to oppressive tactics.