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American Revolution DBQ

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Focus Question: To what extent were the American colonists justified in fighting a war to break away from Britain? Directions: The question above is based on the documents provided. As you analyze the documents, take into account both the source of the document and the authors point of view. Be sure to: 1. Carefully read the document-based question. Consider what you already know about this topic. How would you answer the question if you had no documents to examine? 2. Now, read each document carefully, underlining key phrases and words that address the document-based question. You may also wish to use the margin to make brief notes. Answer the questions that follow each document. 3. Organize supportive and relevant information into a Poplet, with one column that supports the colonists decision, and one column that supports the crowns actions. Make sure to put the source in parenthesis so that you can easily recall where you found the information. 4. After carefully reviewing all of the sources as well as considering anything else you know about the subject, decide for yourself to what extent were the colonists justified in fighting a war to break away from Britain? You must develop a thesis that directly answers the question. Some sentence frames will be provided for you. Part A: The following documents address the question of whether the American colonists were really justified in fighting against Britain. Examine each document carefully, and answer the question or questions that follow. Document 1 This excerpt is from "Considerations . . .," a pamphlet written by Tomas Whately. Whately was an advisor to George Grenville, British Chancellor of the Exchequer (1763-1765) and the author of the Stamp Act. In this pamphlet, Whately explained why the British were justified in placing taxes on their American colonists. We are not yet recovered from a War [French and Indian War] [fought] for their [the American colonists] Protection . . . a War undertaken for their defense only . . . they should contribute to the Preservation of the Advantages they have received . . ."

Who is the source if this document? Why did Whately (and probably most other British officials) feel that the American colonists should be willing to pay higher taxes to Britain?

American Revolution DBQ


Document 2

Does this document support or undermine Whatelys position?

In your opinion, does this chart give Whatelys and other officials position that the colonists need to pay more taxes more validity? Why, or why not? Document 3 These excerpts are from Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania by John Dickinson. Dickinson was a Pennsylvania political leader who served in the Stamp Act Congress of 1765. Later in his career, he served in the Continental Congress, and later still, in the Constitutional Convention. There is another late act of parliament, which appears to me to be unconstitutional, and ... destructive to the liberty of these colonies.... The parliament unquestionably possesses a legal authority to regulate the trade of Great Britain, and all her colonies. I have looked over every statute [law] relating to these colonies, from their first settlement to this time; and I find every one of them founded on this principle, till the Stamp Act administration.... All before, are calculated to regulate trade.... The raising of revenue ... was never intended.... Never did the British parliament, [until the passage of the Stamp Act] think of imposing duties in America for the purpose of raising revenue. [The Townshend Acts claim the authority] to impose duties on these colonies, not for the regulation of trade ... but for the single purpose of levying money upon us. According to Dickinson, which taxes was Parliament justified in collecting?

What is it about the Stamp Act and the Townshend act that Dickinson finds problematic?

Do you see a distinction between taxing items for trade and items for sale?

American Revolution DBQ


Document 4 This excerpt is from Thomas Paines, Common Sense (1776), a pamphlet that was influential in gaining support for the Revolution. In it, Paine explains why he believed it was necessary for the American colonies to gain their independence from Great Britain. But the injuries and disadvantages we [receive] by that connection [to Great Britain], are [very many]; . . . any submission to, or dependence on Great Britain, [will] directly . . . involve [America] in European wars and quarrels; and [makes us enemies] with nations, who would otherwise seek our friendship, and against whom, we have neither anger nor complaint. According to Paine, how did America suffer from its connection with Britain?

What evidence is there to support Paines assertion?

Document 5 Excerpt from Great Britain : Parliament - An Act Repealing the Stamp Act; March 18, 1766 Whereas an Act was passed in the last session of Parliament entitled, An Act for granting and applying certain stamp duties, and other duties in the British colonies and plantations in America towards further defraying the expenses of defending, protecting, and securing the same; and for amending such parts of the several Acts of Parliament relating to the trade and revenues of the said colonies and plantations as direct the manner of determining and recovering the penalties and forfeitures therein mentioned; and whereas the continuance of the said Act would be attended with many inconveniencies, and may be productive of consequences greatly detrimental to the commercial interests of these kingdoms; may it therefore please your most excellent Majesty that it may be enacted; and be it enacted by the king's most excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, that from and after the first day of May, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-six, the above-mentioned Act, and the several matters and things therein contained, shall be, and is and are hereby repealed and made void to all intents and purposes whatsoever. Who was responsible for the passing of the Stamp Act?

Who was responsible for the repeal

What does this document tell you about the limits of the Kings power?

American Revolution DBQ


Document 6 These excerpts are from "The Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations [unlawful acts], all [aimed at] the establishment of an absolute Tyranny [i.e. abuse of power] over these States. In every stage of these [unfair and illegal actions by the King] We have [asked for help in dealing with this situation] in the most humble terms. Our repeated [requests for help] have been answered only by repeated [abuses]. A Prince, whose character is [so abusive of his How does this to document describe the British power], is unfit be the ruler of a free people.King, George III? How consistent is this document with the other documents we have looked at?

Was the Declaration an unbiased, fair look at the conflict between the colonists and Britain? Explain and cite other documents as well as any other knowledge you may have.

Document 7 On March 5, 1770, a crowd of Boston boys and men surrounded a number of British soldiers and began taunting and cursing them while they pelted them with snowballs. Order quickly broke down, and the frightened soldiers fired into the crowd. When the shooting ended, several people were dead and more were wounded. This engraving by Paul Revere, a leader of the Boston Sons of Liberty, was sent throughout the Colonies in the following weeks to arouse anti-British feelings.

American Revolution DBQ


Does the engraving tell a different story from the above description of the Boston Massacre? Identify at least TWO details in the engraving to back up your reasoning. What is the benefit to calling this event a massacre rather than a skirmish? or something else?

Document 8 In The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, 1774-1777, Cresswell, a young Englishman, kept an account of his travels through the American Colonies. The following excerpts are dated October 19, 1774 and tell of his visit to Alexandria, Virginia. Everything here is in the utmost confusion. Committees are appointed to inspect into the characters and conduct of every tradesman, to prevent them selling tea or buying British manufactures. Some of them have been tarred and feathered, others had their property burnt and destroyed by the populace.... The King is openly cursed, and his authority set at defiance.... everything is ripe for rebellion. The New Englanders by their canting, whining, insinuating tricks have persuaded the rest of the colonies that the government is going to make absolute slaves of them. Does Creswell feel that the colonists were justified in rebelling against the crown?

Which sentence gives the best indication of his true feelings?

Which other documents that we have looked at would support Cresswells sentiments?

American Revolution DBQ


This lesson has been adapted in part from: http://highschool.gardencity.k12.ny.us/userfiles/servers/server_881339/file/socialstudies/mcaule y/DBQs/US%20History%20DBQs/DBQRevolution.htm Scott McAuley. Copyright 1999 [Garden City Schools]. All rights reserved. Revised: September 04, 2007 .

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