Question: How did the American colonists respond to increased measures of control by Great Britain in the period between

1763 & 1776?

James Madison Seminar: Document Based Question Activity Joanne Ferguson Robert White July 21, 2011

Question: How did the American colonists respond to increased measures of control by Great Britain in the period between 1763 & 1776?

Question: How did the American colonists respond to increased measures of control by Great Britain in the period between 1763 & 1776?

Document #1 Photograph of Colonial Sugar Cone & Tongs

This sugar cone would have been held with the tongs in a hot cup of tea, gradually dissolving and sweetening the drink. In April 1754, British Parliament passed the Sugar Act, levying duties on imported sugar and curtailing colonial trade and setting the stage for colonial revolt after the 1765 passage of the Stamp Act. Credit: Sugar cone and tongs, 17501800, Hezekiah Alexander House (Charlotte, North Carolina), reproduction from exhibit catalog.

Questions:
1.

Why might merchants have been angry about the Sugar Act? Why might colonists have been angry about the Sugar Act? Why might Great Britain have imposed the Sugar Act?

2.

3.

Document #2 Patrick Henry's Resolutions in Condemnation of the Stamp Act *May 29-30, 1765

Question: How did the American colonists respond to increased measures of control by Great Britain in the period between 1763 & 1776? Background: The Stamp Act was the first direct tax placed on the American colonists by Great Britain. In other words, rather than a tax to be paid by merchants before they sold a product, regular citizens would have to pay this tax on items they would regularly use. Newspapers, pamphlets, contracts, and even playing cards would have to carry a stamp that showed that a tax had been paid. The colonists were outraged by this tax, and there were calls made for Great Britain to repeal the Act. The tax was repealed, but Great Britain reserved the right to tax the colonists in any way desired in the future. Resolved, That the first Adventurers and Settlers of this his Majesties Colony and Dominion brought with them and transmitted to their Posterity and all other his Majesties Subjects since inhabiting in this his Majestie's said Colony all the Priviledges, Franchises & Immunities that have at any Time been held, enjoyed, & possessed by the People of Great Britain. Resolved, That by two royal Charters granted by King James the first the Colonists aforesaid are declared intituled to all the Priviledges, Liberties & Immunities of Denizens and natural born Subjects to all Intents and Purposes as if they had been abiding and born within the Realm of England. Resolved, That the Taxation of the People by themselves or by Persons chosen by themselves to represent them who can only know what Taxes the People are able to bear and the easiest Mode of raising them and are equally affected by such Taxes Themselves is the distinguishing Chracteristick of British Freedom and without which the ancient Constitution cannot subsist. Resolved, That his Majestie's leige People of this most ancient Colony have uninterruptedly enjoyed the Right of being thus governed by their own assembly in the Article of their Taxes and internal Police and that the same hath never been forfeited or any other Way given up but hath been constantly recognized by the Kings & People of Great Britain. Resolved, Therefore that the General Assembly of this Colony have the only and sole exclusive Right & Power to lay Taxes & Impositions upon the Inhabitants of this Colony and that every Attempt to vest such power in any Person or Persons whatsoever other than the General Assembly aforesaid has a manifest Tendency to destroy British as well as American Freedom. excerpt

Questions:

Question: How did the American colonists respond to increased measures of control by Great Britain in the period between 1763 & 1776? 1. According to Patrick Henry, why are the colonists entitled to the same rights as British citizens? 2. Why does Patrick Henry say that the colonists should not have to pay taxes? 3. Who has the right to tax the colonists, according to Henry?

Document #3 Protest Slogan

Question: How did the American colonists respond to increased measures of control by Great Britain in the period between 1763 & 1776? No taxation without representation... ~Popular colonial slogan Taxation without representation is tyranny. ~James Otis This slogan, first used by Jonathan Mayhew in a Boston sermon, was famously echoed by James Otis to convey the idea that many colonists believed that they should not have to pay taxes because they were not allowed to vote for representatives in Parliament. In fact, very few British citizens had direct representation either.

1.

Did colonists have an obligation to pay taxes? Why or why not?

2.

If you dont vote for an elected official, are you still required to follow the law?

Document #4 Boston Massacre Eyewitness Account (British)

Background: On March 5, 1770 a group of colonists gathered outside of a government building in Boston. Tensions were high between colonists and the standing army, and the group began to throw snowballs and ice chunks at the one soldier standing guard. Reinforcements were sent out, and shots were fired. Three colonists were killed immediately, and two died of their wounds

Question: How did the American colonists respond to increased measures of control by Great Britain in the period between 1763 & 1776?
later. Colonial leaders were quick to call this event the Boston Massacre.

Account of Captain Preston during the Trial

On Monday night townspeople broke into two meeting houses and rang the alarm bells, which I supposed was for fire, but was informed that the town inhabitants were assembling to attack the troops, and that the bells were ringing as the signal for that purpose. I went to the Main Guard. On my way there I saw the people in great commotion, and heard them use the most cruel threats against the troops. After I reached the guard, about one hundred people passed it and went towards the custom house where the king's money is lodged. They immediately surrounded the sentry posted there. I sent an officer and twelve men to protect both the sentry and the king's money, and very soon followed myself. The mob increased and were striking their clubs one against another, and calling out: "Come on you rascals, you lobster scoundrels, fire if you dare! At this time I was between the soldiers and the mob,endevouring to persuade them to retire peaceably, but to no purpose. They advanced to the points of the bayonets, struck some of them and even the muzzles of the guns. Some well-behaved persons asked me if the guns were charged [loaded]. I replied "yes." They then asked me if I intended to order the men to fire. I answered "no." While I was thus speaking, one of the soldiers having received a severe blow with a stick, stepped a little to one side and instantly fired, on which asking him why he fired without orders, I was struck with a club on my arm, which for some time deprived me of the use of it. On this a general attack was made on the men by a great number of heavy clubs and snow-balls being thrown at them. Instantly three or four of the soldiers fired,and directly after three more in the same confusion. The mob then ran away, except three unhappy men who instantly expired. One more since is dead. On my asking the soldiers why they fired without orders, they said they heard the word "fire" ed supposed it came from me. This might be the case as many of the mob called out "fire, fire!"

Questions: 1. Who does Captain Preston blame for the incident? 2. How did the first shot get fired, according to Captain Preston?

Document #5 Boston Massacre Eyewitness Account (Colonial)

Account of George Sanderlin during the trial On hearing the noise [of a fight], Samuel Atwood came up to see what was the matter, and entering the alley heard the latter part of the combat, and when the boys [who had been fighting] had dispersed he met the ten or twelve soldiers [who had been fighting

Question: How did the American colonists respond to increased measures of control by Great Britain in the period between 1763 & 1776? with them] rushing down the alley toward the square, and asked them if they intended to murder people? They answered "Yes, by God," [and struck and wounded Atwood]. Immediately after, those heroes [the British officers] appeared in the square, asking "where were the cowards?" One of them advanced toward a youth who had a stave in his hand. But the young man, seeing a person near him with a drawn sword, held up his stave in defiance, and they quietly passed by him up the little alley to Kingstreet, where they attacked single and unarmed persons till they raised much clamor. Thirty or forty persons, mostly lads, being by this means gathered in Kingstreet, Capt. Preston, with a party of men with charged bayonets, came from the main guard to the Commissioner's House, the soldiers pushing their bayonets, crying, "Make way!" They took place by the Custom House, and continuing to push to drive the people off, pricked some in several places; on which they were clamorous, and, it is said, threw snow-balls. On this, the Captain commanded then to fire, and more snow-balls coming, he again said, "Damn you, Fire, be the consequences what it will!" One soldier then fired, and a townsman with a cudgel struck him over the hands with such force that he dropt his firelock; and rushing forward aimed a blow at the Captain's head, which grazed his hat and fell pretty heavy on his arm. However, the soldiers continued to fire, successively, till seven or eight or, as some say, eleven guns were discharged. By this fatal manoeuvre, three men were laid dead on the spot, and two more struggling for life. Questions: 1. Who does George Sanderlin blame for the incident? 2. How did the first shot get fired, according to George Sanderlin? 3. How does this eyewitness account differ from that of Captain Preston?

Document #6: Paul Reveres Engraving of the Boston Massacre

Background: Paul Revere, a colonial leader and silversmith, designed this engraving to rally support for the Patriot cause.

Question: How did the American colonists respond to increased measures of control by Great Britain in the period between 1763 & 1776?

Questions:
1. Which group seems to have control in this engraving? 2. What aspects of the engraving are meant to build support for the colonists? 3. How does this viewpoint conveyed in this engraving differ from those in the two eyewitness accounts?

Document #7: Colonial response to taxation (Political Cartoon)

Background: British attempts to make the colonists pay taxes led to colonial resistance that sometimes became violent. This political cartoon shows a tax collector being attacked by a mob.

Question: How did the American colonists respond to increased measures of control by Great Britain in the period between 1763 & 1776?

1. 2. 3.

What are the colonists doing to the tax collector? What is the name of the tree in the background? Why is it symbolic? What mood or tone is conveyed by this political cartoon? How might this relate to the feelings of the time?

Question: How did the American colonists respond to increased measures of control by Great Britain in the period between 1763 & 1776?
Vocabulary: Below is a list of words that have been defined for you by section.

Document # 1: Sugar and Cone tongs. Levying Duties Curtailing - Collecting of a tax by authority or force. - Taxes - to cut short; cut off a part of; reduce; diminish

Document # 2: Patrick Henry's Resolutions in Condemnation of the Stamp Act 1765 Posterity Aforesaid Chracteristick Hath Denizens - succeeding or future generations - Said before - Characteristic. - Had - Inhabitants, a person living in a location

Document # 4 & 5: Boston massacre excerpts. (Colonial and British) Commotion Endeavoring - A noisy disturbance - To exert oneself to do something; make an effort; strive - A dagger-like weapon that is attached to the muzzle of a gun used for stabbing or slashing in and-tocombat. Deprived enjoyment - To remove or withhold something from the or possession of a person Expired Clamorous - Died - Loud in demands or complaints

Bayonet hand

Question: How did the American colonists respond to increased measures of control by Great Britain in the period between 1763 & 1776? Cudgel - A short, thick stick used as a weapon; club

Document-Based Question Essay Assessment

Historic Context: After the Seven Years War, Great Britain began to exert control over the colonies as a means of raising revenue. The colonial protest movement was born, and eventually these protests brought the colonies to the brink of the American Revolution. Task: Use the documents provided above to help you write an essay that will demonstrate how the colonial reaction to British control changed from protest to the call for independence. You must reference the documents in your writing.

Question: How did the American colonists respond to increased measures of control by Great Britain in the period between 1763 & 1776?
Scoring Guide: DBQ Score and Description 6 Excellent Clearly and cohesively addresses all parts of the prompt Develops position consistently with well-chosen reasons and/or examples from documents Well organized with strong transitions. Strong variety in sentence structure and exhibits good word choice. Errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation are few and do not interfere with understanding 5 Skillful Fully addresses all parts of the prompt Takes a clear position and develops it with reasons and/or examples from documents in parts of the response. Clearly organized, but may lack some transitions and/or have occasional lapses in continuity. Exhibits some variety in sentence structure and some good word choices. Errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation do not interfere with understanding. 4 Sufficient Addresses all parts of the prompt Takes a clear position and supports it with some reasons and/or examples. Organized with ideas that are generally related, but has few or no transitions. Exhibits control over sentence boundaries and sentence structure, but sentences and word choice may be simple and unvaried. Errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation do not interfere with understanding. 3 Uneven May be characterized by one or more of the following: May fail to address some parts of the prompt. Takes a position and offers support, but may be unclear, repetitive, list-like, or undeveloped. Unevenly organized; the response may be disjointed. Exhibits uneven control over sentence boundaries and sentence structure; may have some inaccurate word choices. Errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation sometimes interfere with understanding 2 Insufficient May be characterized by one or more of the following: Fails to address some parts of the prompt. Attempts to take a position (addresses topic) but is incoherent OR takes a position but

Question: How did the American colonists respond to increased measures of control by Great Britain in the period between 1763 & 1776?
provides no support; may only paraphrase the prompt. Very disorganized; thoughts are tenuously connected OR the response is too brief to detect organization. Minimal control over sentence boundaries and sentence structure; word choice may often be inaccurate. Errors in grammar or usage (such as missing words or incorrect word use or word order), spelling, and punctuation interfere with understanding in much of the response. 1 Unsatisfactory May be characterized by one or more of the following: Attempts to respond to prompt, but provides little or no coherent information; may only paraphrase the prompt. Has no apparent organization OR consists of a single statement. Minimal or no control over sentence boundaries and sentence structure; word choice may be inaccurate in much or all of the response. A multiplicity of errors in grammar or usage (such as missing words or incorrect word use or word order), spelling and punctuation severely impedes understanding across the response. 0 Blank, completely illegible, or deliberately off-topic (N/A on scanner)