(you will write two and choose from a few of these):

GIVE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES in your answers. Refer directly to the course texts and
lectures.

1) How did the expansion of the British empire affect the freedoms of American Indians, women,
the Irish, Africans, and the English poor? In what ways, if any, were the condition of these
people (as affected by English imperial endeavors) similar?

2) Compare and contrast a) the several meanings of slavery that the colonial
mercantile/international business class were rebelling against before the American Revolution
with b) the several meanings of slavery that sailors and the multiethnic mob were rebelling
against before the American Revolution.

3) Discuss the relationship between "the rights of Englishmen" and "natural rights" in colonial
America, especially as it concerns the build-up to the American Revolution.

4) Discuss the ideological origins of the American Revolution. Your discussion should include
some of the following:
--republicanism
--liberalism
--the Enlightenment
--"virtue"
--popular expressions of discontent
--the changing social, economic and demographic structure of the colonies
--sovereignty and representation

5) Discuss the emerging idea of what it means to be an American in the years preceding the
American Revolution. Your essay might deal with some of the following:
popular expressions of discontent
the changing social, economic and demographic structure of the colonies
sovereignty and representation
rights and responsibilities

6) Explain the situation for common people in Europe and in the colonies during the colonial era
and the build-up to the American Revolution.

Suggestions: Have a good, clear thesis. Use specific historical examples to back up your
points; draw examples from lecture and readings. Pack as much thought and analysis as
possible into the limited space available.