List a major accomplishment of each of these men: Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, John Hancock, and Roger Sherman. Then explain how these
people's views about government helped shape the new United States.

- Thomas Jefferson abolished the slave trade and founded the University of Virginia.

- Benjamin Franklin founded many civic organizations, including the Library Company, Philadelphia's first fire department, and the University of Pennsylvania.

- John Adams was the first Vice President and the second President of the United States as well as establishing many of the basic ideas and principles that made up the U.S. Constitution.

- John Hancock was first person to sign the Declaration of Independence.

- Roger Sherman signed the Continental Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution.

Explanation:

(how they helped shape the U.S)

Each of these men were leaders of movements toward revolution in the American colonies.

Jefferson - Attacking Federalist policies, he opposed a strong centralized Government and championed the rights of states. As a reluctant candidate for President in 1796, Jefferson came within three votes of election.

Franklin - In 1754, at a meeting of colonial representatives in Albany, New York, Franklin proposed a plan for uniting the colonies under a national congress.

Adams - Adams began challenging Great Britain's authority in colonial America. He came to view the British imposition of high taxes and tariffs as a tool of oppression, and he no longer believed that the government in England had the colonists' best interests in mind.

Hancock - Hancock used his wealth and influence to aid the movement for American independence. He was president of the Second Continental Congress from 1775 to 1777, when the Declaration of Independence was adopted and the United States was born.

Sherman - Sherman served as a delegate to the 1787 Philadelphia Convention, which produced the United States Constitution. He favored granting the federal government power to raise revenue and regulate commerce, but initially opposed efforts to supplant the Articles of Confederation with a new constitution.

b

explanation: