What Role did John Hancock play in the Revolutionary war?

Answer 1

Hancock was a merchant and political leader. His public career began with his election to the office of Boston selectman in 1765. He aligned himself with Samuel Adams and patriot opposition to the Stamp Act when his ship was seized for smuggling during the Townshed Acts in 1768. He was known to be one of the chief financial backers to the patriot causes and in 1774 he made a speech commemorating the Boston Massacre in 1770. In 1775 he was sent to the Continental Congress as a representative from Massachusetts and was passed over as commander of the army which Washington took instead. He served in the war supplying the American forces and created the navy. In 1780 he was elected the first governor of Massachusetts under its new constitution. When time came to ratify the constitution he play a role and urged it be ratified with a Bill of Rights. He died at the age of 56.

Answer 2

He used his inherited wealth to support the colonial cause. On May 24, 1775, he was unanimously elected President of the Continental Congress. He raised money, supplies, and troops for Washington's army, chaired the Marine Committee, and helped create a small fleet of American frigates.

Answer 3

President of second Continental Congress