What did John Hancock do as a founding father?

Answer 1

A LOT! here ya go John Hancock's pivotal signature on the Declaration of Independence represented both his personal feelings of rebellion against the British as well as the feelings of many colonists at that time, and, as the president of the Second Continental Congress, Hancock's role proved vital to the formation of the United States of America. Raised by his uncle, a hugely successful merchant named Thomas Hancock, John learned to become a profitable merchant, and the fortune that he inherited after his uncle's death assisted him in building a trade empire in his adulthood. Hancock's inheritance provided him the money to be able to invest in other peoples' needs, otherwise, helping his political standing within the community. With this increased standing, John became more renowned in the colonies, and later began funding the resistance to Parliament's taxation. With the pass of the Sugar Act in 1764, the British began imposing oppressive taxes upon the American colonists on "sugar, certain wines, coffee, pimiento, cambric and printed calico and further, regulated the export of lumber and iron...with the design of raising 40,000 pounds a year" (Kindig, 1). This act upset colonist even more than the previous Molasses Act of 1733 as more and more common items were being taxed by the British Empire to raise revenue and pay off debts that the French and Indian War caused. Acts such as this were the main cause in upsetting John Hancock, as they harmed his merchant empire, fueling his anger at Britain. "Reaction assumed revolutionary proportions in Boston . . . when customs officials impounded a sloop owned by John Hancock, for violations of the trade regulations" (Kindig, 1). ***** In 1764, the Currency Act was imposed by the British, prohibiting all paper currency in the American colonies. This act led to a skyrocket of poverty in the colonies, and "it hurt trade by removing the circulating medium" ("Currency Act", 1). Another act in 1765, the Stamp Act, brought anger to the colonists by heavily taxing any official papers in the colony. In short, it was "an act for granting and applying certain stamp duties, and other duties, in the British colonies and plantations in America" ("The Stamp Act", 1). Any documents in the colonies were, under this rule, taxed by Great Britain, including letters and envelopes, which were used heavily by colonists. By this time, Hancock had begun to speak out against Britain in his patriotic speeches, and encouraged colonists to form a separate nation. He also became a key member of the Sons of Liberty to resist England's rule. Continuing the taxation and tyranny, Britain imposed the Townshend Acts. These acts-the New York Restraining Act, the Commissioner of Customs Act, and the Vice Admiralty Court Act-placed British appointed leaders in control of the colonies and also restrained colonist-formed governments. Not only did the colonists not have representation in Britain, but now their voices were trying to be deafened in the colonies too. However, the act that enraged the colonists the most was the Tea Act. This act put a tariff on tea and many other ubiquitous colonial goods. Colonists were outraged when this tax was enforced. Tea to them was like modern day coffee, and was sweetened by sugar. The anger was so great in the colonies that the famous Boston Tea Party occurred, in which about 1.9 million dollars worth of tea was dumped into Boston Harbor by the Sons of Liberty. Britain became very irked with the colonies, and enforced even harsher laws. In response to the Boston Tea Party, the Coercive Acts were passed in 1774. In these acts, Parliament completely stripped colonists of their rights. The Quebec Act was imposed by Britain to better enforce the taxes by restricting the colonists from expanding beyond the Appalachian Mountains. These acts also upset both ordinary colonists-with the forced quartering of British troops-as well as merchants like John Hancock, whose ships could not enter or leave the harbor due to it being blockaded until the tea was paid for. This brought strife in the colonies as their freedoms continued to be taken away, and Britain gained more power over them. During these times of anger and thoughts of rebellion, John Hancock devoted himself and his fortune into assisting the colonies in their separation from the British Empire. John Hancock's actions were the driving forces in the revolution. He spoke out against the British oppression, in his many patriotic speeches in the Massachusetts area. Hancock encouraged Americans to fight for their freedom, saying, "'Tis immortality to sacrifice ourselves for the salvation of our country. We fear not death." In this speech, the Boston Massacre Oration, Hancock explained to the colonists that they must be willing to sacrifice themselves to fight against the British in order to free themselves. Hancock inspired the colonists to rebel, helping to change the colonists' mindset towards independence and the formation of their own nation, free of the British oppressive laws. His role played a vital part in leading Americans to a revolution. The colonists lacked representation in Parliament, and these acts were being passed by the British without the colonists' approval. Actions like this led to the Second Continental Congress with John Hancock-now a powerful patriot in the colonies-as the president. Hancock's role in the Second Continental Congress was enormous, as he made significant decisions that would affect the United States of America forever. With guidance from Hancock, the Second Continental Congress agreed to "completely break away from Great Britain" ("Taking Action", 1). The actions of the Second Continental Congress with John Hancock as the president were undoubtedly some of the most important events in United States history. The members "officially appointed George Washington as commander-in-chief of the [American Continental] army…wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence… [and] decided some of the most important ideas that the colonists fought for in the Revolutionary War" ("Taking Action", 1). These momentous acts during the Second Continental Congress would not have ever been possible if not for the leadership of John Hancock. When it came time for the delegates to sign the Declaration of Independence, John Hancock signed his name first and largest, saying "The British ministry can read that name without spectacles; let them double their reward for my capture." In this comment, Hancock knew that he would certainly be executed for this, but he wanted freedom-as many other colonists did- and cared not that he may die for it. He appointed those in charge of developing the Declaration of Independence, the most important document in the history of the United States. His mentality of rebellion and will for freedom inspired colonists to fight against the British for their freedom. Without John Hancock's presidency and leadership within the Second Continental Congress as well as his inspiration of rebellion and separation from England within the colonies, the United States of America would not be as it is today. Hancock's flamboyant signature displayed his own anger, along with the colonists anger at the British, making him one of the most important leaders in American-and world-history. He left a lasting impression in the history with his acts in the Second Continental Congress and his famed signature on the Declaration of Independence, inspiring the Americans to form their own nation. Without John Hancock, the world would be a different place today.

Answer 2

John Hancock, who was the president of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence. During the war, Handcock was still in Congress and he helped to raise money for the war and ships for a navy.

Answer 3

He had a slave to help arounb the housework because his unle was very rich

Answer 4

John Hancock was President of the Continental Congress when the Declaration of Independence was adopted. As President, he was the first to sign, penning his name in large letters.

Answer 5

what did John Hancock do before the war?

Answer 6

He died of old age