The Shoemaker and the Tea Party

             Alfred Young's The Shoemaker and the Tea Party, takes readers to a whole side of the American Revolution not emphasized in history books. Young writes in his book of individuals omitted and the events that shaped beginning of the Revolution and the United States as it is today. Some of the biggest points stressed in HIS 315K that coincide with the book are the sugar-coating of facts to make them more appealing, the credibility of history tellers, and the problems that resulted in the consequences that shaped history.
             The story being told revolves around the life of a Bostonian shoemaker named George Robert Twelves Hewes, whose accomplishments preceding the Revolution were overshadowed by the heroification of more "appropriate" figures such as John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Paul Revere, famous for his midnight ride, was a man who took pride in his job as a blacksmith. It is a shame that history only gave Revere credit for his message that "the British are coming!" and was oblivious to his life accomplishments as a man and a skilled artisan. Although only a shoemaker, Hewes' actions proved him to be an honest and dignified man. Hewes grew up poor; his meager possessions helped him learn to deal with tough situations. During the destruction of the tea, he was worked alongside great political figures like Hancock and Adams as equals, doing what they believed to be righteous and fair. Going into the matter, Hewes followed under others, but ended up leading one the groups in taking over a ship and facilitating the dumping of the tea into Griffin's Wharf. Hewes also risked his life to save a boy from a beating by John Malcolm, which resulted in Malcolm's tar and feathering. Even after being struck in the head by Malcolm, Hewes tried to save him from the mob, but was unsuccessful.
             A major theme of the book is the gradual progression of the lower classes creeping towards equality with the...

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The Shoemaker and the Tea Party. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 19:33, March 28, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/26554.html