Massachusetts became the focal point of opposition to British imperial policies for two reasons. First, the greater Boston area was a major commercial center and was sensitive to any and all efforts to the regulate trade. The colony was also home to a large number of radicals who ranged from the unruly Samuel Adams to the intellect John Adams. The first great outburst of colonial outrage came during the Stamp Act disaster in 1765, during which many felt there was no taxation without representation. Resistance broke the resulting quiet to the Townshend Duties in 1767. Radical colonists fanned public uproar following in the Boston Massacre in 1770 and plotted the famous Boston Tea Party in 1773. British officials responded by closing the port
