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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?
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?
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?
What does this document tell you about the limits of the Kings power?
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.
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 other documents that we have looked at would support Cresswells sentiments?