Unit Two Sources: 1754-1800 Answer Key

Don’t look at these unless you have studied and worked them! These are my answers; there could be others that are acceptable. If you have a question about one of your answers, email me!

These sources ARE in chronological order . For each source, provide the following:

I. Provide context of the source. Also consider POV, audience, purpose.II. Which decade and how do you know? (1750s, 1760s, 1770s, 1780s, 1790s)III. What is the nature of the source? Is the source religious, political, social, diplomatic, or economic and how so? Each source could be more than one; pick primary one.We are thinking in this way in case you want to organize your DBQ in this way. What are the causes of the American Revolution? You could say in your thesis, “There were several causes of the Revolution. While political reasons were important, the root of the Revolution was economic in nature.” Or something like that.IV. List some external SFI (specific factual information) relating to it. V. As always, talk to yourself of how the source fits in with the larger context of what is happening in this era.

1.“For the increase of shipping…from thenceforward, no goods or commodities whatsoever shall be imported into or exported out of any lands, islands, plantations, or territories to his Majesty belonging…but in ships or vessels as do…belong only to the people of England…and whereof the master and three-fourths of the mariners at least are English…

“And it is further enacted…that…no sugars, tobacco, cottonwood, indigos, ginger, fustic, or other dyeing wood of the grown, production, or manufacture of any English plantations in America, Asia, or Africa, shall be…transported form any of the said English plantations (colonies) to any land…other than to such other English plantations as do belong to his Majesty."English Parliament, Navigation Act of 1660

I. Context is the Navigation Acts. Britain has created an empire. What is the purpose of a colony in an empire? To get the mother country rich and to add to the mother country’s glory and power. The Navigation Acts required colonies to sell their bounty to the mother country only; the mother country then could sell it to other countries and make money. For every huge oak tree that could be used as a ship’s mast, the America made one dollar when it sold it to Britain; Britain made five dollars when she sold it to France. The acts also required colonies to sell to Britain and Britain only. American could have made five dollars if it had sold that oak tree directly to France, but the Navigation Acts forbade it. Again, America exists for the profit of Britain.

II. 1660’s; this is when the British empire is really kicking into full swing. She made laws like this as she was figuring out how most to maximize profit from its colonial holdings.

III. This source is primarily economic in nature. You could also say diplomatic, as it deals with foreign relations; colonialism is by its nature diplomacy. You could also say it is political, as administering a colony is poltical.

IV. SFI: SALUTARY NEGLECT! The whole deal here is that even though these laws were on the books, they were lightly enforced, if at all due to Britain’s preoccupation with European matters. Thus, America for the first 150 years of its existence developed largely on its own and managed its own affairs.

MERCANTILISM: The system of the colony existing for the mother country’s benefit economically.ADMIRALTY COURTS: If it were enforced, violations were dealt with in a trial with no jury. This was unique only to colonial British citizens and went against the British Constitution. Again, due to salutary neglect this was not really enforced so the colonists did not really mind.WRITS OF ASSISTANCE: Suspected smugglers/violators of this could have their property searched without warrant; again this was unique only to colonies and went against the British Constitution and the colonists didn’t notice or care as long as this was not really enforced due to salutary neglect.

2.

I. Context is the aftermath of the French and Indian War, aka the Seven Years War, 1754-1763 (which raged for nine years lol). Britain and France fight over their North American colonial possessions. England wins with the help of it loyal American citizens. France loses despite the assistance of most Native American tribes. Spain gets the rest of America (for now). This is a major turning point.

II. Map on left is 1754. Map on right, the aftermath, is 1763.

III. This is diplomatic in nature, as war is a diplomatic affair. Of course it could also be political, because war is a political affair as well. It could also be economic, as the creation of empires was largely for economic wealth building.

IV. SALUTARY NEGLECT: The war brings America, kind of forgotten over the years as Britain focused on some of its more profitable colonies, back onto the British radar. This war is the end of salutary neglect.PONTIAC’S REBELLION (1763): Immediately after the war, former French Indian allies band together to continue the fight once France surrenders, sweeping down the frontier west of the Appalachian killing thousands of British settlers. It is led by Chief Pontiac, thus the name.PROCLAMATION OF 1763: In an effort to make peace with France’s disgruntled Indian allies, Britain closes off the frontier to American settlers west of the Appalachians. This angers the colonists, as they helped Britain fight not for love of empire but to get ahold of the Ohio River Valley, once controlled by France. This law prevents that.

3.Q: Have not you heard of the resolutions of Parliament asserting the right to tax the people there (American colonies)?A: Yes, I have heard of such resolutionsQ: What will be the opinion of the Americans on those resolutions?A: They will think it unconstitutional and unjust.Q: Was it an opinion in America before 1763 that the Parliament had no right to lay taxes and duties there?A: I have never heard any objection to the right of laying duties to regulate commerce; but a right to lay internal taxes was never supposed to be in Parliament, as we are not represented there…Q: If the act is not repealed, what do you think will be the consequences?A: A total loss of the respect and affection the people of America bear to this county, and of all the commerce that depends on that respect and affection.Q: How can commerce be affected?A: You will find that, if the act is not repealed, they will take very little of your manufactures in a short time.

-Testimony of Benjamin Franklin, 1766

I. Context: In the aftermath of the war, Britain endeavors to have their American subjects pay for their share of their defense, something that they had not done before. America doesn’t even feel like they need Britain’s defense; they were not too impressed with the fabled British army once they really got to know it as they fought alongside it during the French and Indian war. The taxes that Britain sought to use to raise these funds angered the colonists. POV is Franklin, who is obviously a colonist who does not approve of Britain’s new meddling in colonial affairs. Purpose of excerpt was to gain insight into how the colonists felt about this change from one of its more practical and popular colonists. Audience was ostensibly a committee doing its fact finding, but you can tell that Franklin is using this opportunity to not only educate the committee but also educate his fellow colonists.

II. 1766 is the year, as the Stamp Act was levied in 1765 soon after the end of the French and Indian war once the British realized the debt caused by fighting to protect its American holdings from foreign competitors as well as Indians.

III. This is political in nature, as Franklin is clearly addressing a British policy. It could of course be economic, as taxation is economic.

IV. STAMP ACT (1765): This is the famous Stamp Act, a tax on newspapers, legal documents, playing cards used to raise funds to pay Britain’s war debt and future defense of colonies. This is the first direct tax placed upon the colonies by Britain.HOUSE OF BURGESSES: First representative legislature created by Virginia in the 1600’s, all colonies followed and created their own legislatures throughout the 17th and 18th century. During the era of salutary neglect, these legislatures created taxes and policies for the colonies—i.e. the colonies were running themselves perfectly well, thank you.SALUTARY NEGLECT: Along with the Proclamation of 1763, the Stamp Act signaled an end to salutary neglect and an increase in British meddling.STAMP ACT CONGRESS (1765): Though anything but united, the colonies send delegates to a colonial meetup to figure out a way to deal with the Stamp Act. This is perhaps the first example of the colonies uniting for a common purpose. They decide on creating a…NONIMPORTATION AGREEMENT/BOYCOTT: The colonies establish a boycott of British goods to protest the Stamp Act. Wearing old clothes becomes the fashion; wearing new clothes bought from Britain during this time might get you tarred and feathered. The boycott is effective as British merchants complain about their financial losses and prod Parliament to rescind the Stamp Act.VIRTUAL REPRESENTATION: Britain is confused as to why the colonists can’t see the fairness of having to pay for their own defense. The colonists’ main argument is TAXATION WITHOUT

REPRESENTATION; as Franklin says, American colonists have not one single representative in Parliament. Britain replies that the colonists are virtually represented; that is, although there are no actual Americans in Parliament, there doesn’t need to be since Parliament has the colonists best interests in mind at all times.

4. Chronologically doesn’t fit here, but it does fit intellectually“In 1739 arrived among us from Ireland the Reverend Mr. George Whitefield, who had made himself remarkable there as an itinerant preacher. He was at first permitted to preach in some of our churches; but the clergy, taking a dislike to him, soon refused him their pulpits, and he was obliged to preach in the fields. The multitudes of all sects and denominations that attended his sermons were enormous….It was wonderful to see the change soon made in the manners of our inhabitants. From being thoughtless or indifferent about religion, it seemed as if all the world were growing religious, so that one could not walk thro’ the town in an evening without hearing psalms sung in different families of every street.”

-Benjamin Franklin, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

I. Context: Back in the earlier part of the 18th century a religious revival sweeps the country known as the Great Awakening. The purpose of this is to record for history that this was a substantial movement affecting the entirety of the English colonies in America.

II. 1730’s/1740s were the height of the actual movement; the ripples occur long afterward.

III. This is obviously primarily religious, but don’t underestimate the political ramifications.

IV. THE GREAT AWAKENING: Yes, lots of people found the Lord. But it is more important politically because people went from believing that your destiny was predetermined by a mysterious God communicated by an entitled clergyman to believing that one had a direct relationship with God and that one’s destiny was really up to them. This is a huge and fundamental change in the way humans viewed the entire universal system—one doesn’t need to be told what is right, one can figure it out for him/herself.

Continued>>>

5.

I. Context: Colonial upheaval in Boston, Massachusetts. As protests against British policies grew in the early 1770’s, Britain responds with a heavy hand. POV: This was drawn by a British Whig. Purpose and Audience: Protesting the Crown’s treatment of colonists in America, probably less for the concern for American colonists and probably more for concern that the Crown has heavy handed tactics in Britain as well.

II. 1774, probably in response to Intolerable Acts.

III. Political

IV. WHIGS: Opposition party to the King in Britain; this party wanted more power to the people and less to the King and his cronies.QUARTERING ACT 1760s-1770s: British troops housed in Americans’ homes and competing for jobs as a way of adding to meager British Army pay creates resentment, especially in Boston where they are most heavily stationed.BOSTON MASSACRE 1770: Furthered American resentment of British, especially thanks to famous Boston Massacre propaganda flyer sent to other colonies by Paul Revere showing British troops firing intentionally into innocent crowd, a definite distortion of what actually occurred.SONS OF LIBERTY/BOSTON TEA PARTY 1774: Protest group of patriots; terrorist group? Masterminds of Tea Party, which led to…

COERCIVE ACTS (AKA INTOLERABLE ACTS) 1774: In an effort to punish Boston for Tea Party, British create a series of acts that disbands the Massachusetts legislature and closes the life-giving port of Boston until reparations are made. These are seen by Brits as a way to coerce the colonists to get back into line; seen by colonists as intolerable.LEXINGTON AND CONCORD (1775): The first shots of the war are unplanned; tensions on both side boil to this point.

6.But where says some is the King of America? I'll tell you Friend, he reigns above, and doth not make havoc of mankind like the Royal Brute of Britain. Yet that we may not appear to be defective even in earthly honors, let a day be solemnly set apart for proclaiming the charter; let it be brought forth placed on the divine law, the word of God; let a crown be placed thereon, by which the world may know, that so far as we approve as monarchy, that in America THE LAW IS KING. For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the law ought to be King; and there ought to be no other. But lest any ill use should afterwards arise, let the crown at the conclusion of the ceremony be demolished, and scattered among the people whose right it is. . . . -Thomas Paine, Common Sense, written 1775-1776

I. Context: With the Intolerable Acts and Lexington and Concord in the recent past, some Americans believe it is time to separate from Britain. POV: Paine is clearly a patriot. Purpose and Audience: Paine is trying to persuade reluctant fellow colonists that now is the time to separate. Remember how difficult it was for the average colonists to wrap his/her head around ending their British citizenship and possibly going to war with their fellow British citizens. Paine is certainly ahead of the curve on accepting the need to do so.

II. This pamphlet probably wouldn’t have been written if the bloodshed and overreaction of Britain to the Tea Party hadn’t occurred. Thus, 1775-76 fits.

III. Political; it deals with arguments to change the very government of the colonies.

IV. ENLIGHTENMENT: This is the embodiment of Enlightenment thinking. The Enlightenment is a profound change in thinking during the 18th century in which REASON, not superstition or tradition, is the focus of guiding actions. Paine says it is common sense that our relation with the Crown is obsolete.GREAT AWAKENING: This goes hand in hand with the break with traditional thinking, giving much more power to the individual to guide his/her future and not be dependent on past arrangements.

7.“I long to hear that you have declared an independency. And, by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.”

-Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, March 31, 1776

I. Context: With the talk of creating a revolutionary new country and government, some women hoped that this would be the opportunity to create more influence/power for women in this government. POV is a woman that is more futuristic in her thinking for the time, the brilliant wife of John Adams, who if she were alive today would be a Senator or something. Audience: Her husband, who is the chief architect of the political side of the revolution.

II. Timing fits because Adams and the Continental Congress are actively debating separation in 1776.

III. Political, but also Social, as gender related issues are social in nature.

IV. REPUBLICAN MOTHERHOOD: We know that her letter was in vain, and women got no significant power in the new American government. But the importance of their role as homemaker and child-shaper did get acknowledgement and a titile.

8.“Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

-Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence, 1776

I. Context: Remember that the war had unofficially been on for a year or so by the time the Declaration was signed. In order to gain any sort of foreign aid (France) in the war, there would have to be some way to formally announce to the world that we were a new country. POV: Jefferson was a true student of politics, and a true 18th century man. Purpose: see context, but also to lay out the philosophical underpinnings of our new system of government. Say what you want about Jefferson’s personal life; what he wrote in the Declaration 100% applies today and was the philosophical goal that has allowed us to come as far as we have as a nation dedicated to freedom and equality for all.

III. Political

IV. LOCKE and ROUSSEAU: Jefferson was a student of European philosophers, and borrowed such ideas as NATURAL RIGHTS and SOCIAL CONTRACT theories, very new for the time, into the Declaration. Thus, from the very start the idea that the government serves the people and not the other way around has been the basis of American political thought, as seen in the excerpt above.

9.“The petition of a great number of blacks detained in a state of slavery in the bowels of a free and Christian country humbly showeth that…they have in common with all other men a natural and inalienable right to that freedom which the Great Parent of the Universe has bestowed equally on all mankind and which they have never forfeited by any compact or agreement whatever…

“Every principal from which America has acted in the course of their unhappy difficulties with Great Britain pleads stronger than a thousand arguments in favor of your petitioners. They therefore humbly beseech your honors to give this petition its due weight and consideration and cause an act of the legislature to be passed whereby they may be restored to the enjoyments of that which is the natural right of all men.”Petition for freedom to the Massachusetts Council and the House of Representatives for the State of Massachusetts, January 1777

I. Context: With revolutionary thought in full swing and the idea of freedom and natural rights floating around, some began to look to the idea of freedom (not necessarily equality) for persons of African descent who were enslaved in ALL the colonies, though of course primarily in the South. POV is persons who were taking this idea of freedom seriously; notice it is Massachusetts, the hearth of the American Revolution. Purpose is to use the revolution to create a true revolution of freedom in Massachusetts.

II. The timing fits right in with revolutionary thought.

III. Political and social.

IV: MANUMISSION: Soon after the Revolution, some states in the northern colonies, particularly New England, begin to pass laws leading to the eventual ending of slavery and freedom for those enslaved.

10.“They see the weakness of Government, they feel at once their own poverty compared with the opulent and their own force, and they are determined to make use of the latter in order to remedy the former. Their creed is that the property of the United States has been protected from the confiscations of Britain by the joint exercises of all, and therefore ought to be the common property of all…Our government must be braced, changed, or altered to secure our lives and property.”

-Henry Knox, letter to George Washington, 1786

I. Context: Shay’s Rebellion! The Articles of Confederation, America’s first government, was intentionally created to give more power to the states and little power to the central government due to fear of tyranny. Unfortunately, it was far too weak with no central authority to quash uprisings like this.POV: Knox is a former officer in the Continental Army, serving under Washington. He cares about America and sees this as a red flag that the central government must be strengthened. Audience/Purpose: If anyone can help get a movement toward a stronger effective government, it is Washington.

II. 1780’s were not long after the Revolution, when America was still finding its way as a country. The Articles were our first government, but with problems such an inability to raise funds, drive the British out of the US territory, and inter-state bickering, we needed a change.

III. Political

IV. ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION: A confederation by definition is a loose unity of states with states retaining the majority of power at the expense of a strong central government.SHAY’S REBELLION: Disgruntled farmers in Massachusetts attempt to seize the arsenal in order to overthrow a state government that seemed to not care that they were struggling financially. Fear was that the rebellion would spread to other states with no strong government to stop it.NORTHWEST ORDINANCE: The one thing that happened under the Articles government that was good and effective.

11.“Thus, fellow citizens, have I pointed out what I thought necessary to be amended in our Federal Constitution. I beg you to call to mind our glorious Declaration of Independence, read it, and compare it with the Federal Constitution; what a degree of apostacy will you not then discover. Therefore, guard against all encroachments upon your liberties so dearly purchased with the costly expense of blood and treasure.”

-A Georgian, Gazette of the State of Georgia, November 15, 1787

I. Context: Once it was known that there was a movement to create a stronger central government to replace the Articles of Confederation, some became concerned that we would be establishing tyranny anew. POV: This person is wary of a stronger government, which would make him an ANTIFEDERALIST. Purpose: Alert others to potential tyranny created by new Constitution.

II. 1789 is year new Constitution was ratified, so this being before ratification shows that the idea of replacing the Articles had been swirling about for a while.

III. Political

IV. FEDERALIST PAPERS: Hamilton, Jay, Madison were principal authors of Federalist Papers, a series of articles written anonymously arguing in favor of the benefits of a stronger FEDERAL government, in which the central government has the ultimate authority, while giving lesser authority to the various states. BILL OF RIGHTS: Created to assuage (comfort) those afraid that a stronger central government would become tyrannical a couple of years after ratification.BANK OF US: Created by Hamilton once the Constitution was created, the Bank of the US was created to help stabilize the national economy. But it was seen by some, including the author of this article (and Jefferson), as an unwarranted giving of power to the federal government.

12.

I. This map simply shows that the agricultural west and south tended to be more anti-federalist (along with Jefferson); they mistrusted a distant central government that might be blind to their needs. The Northeast, more merchant driven, like the idea of a stronger central government and the stability it creates.

IV. FEDERALIST PARTY (stronger central government) vs. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICANS (states’ rights)= THE FIRST PARTY SYSTEMSTRICT (Dem Rep fear tyranny) VS LOOSE INTERPRETATION (Feds like adaptability) OF CONSTITUTIONBANK OF US.

13.“Observe good faith and justice towards all nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all… Antipathy in one nation against another disposes each more readily to offer insult and injury... So likewise, a passionate attachment of one nation for another produces a variety of evils. Sympathy for the favorite nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest in cases where no real common interest exists…Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow-citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government… Our detached and distant situation invites and enables us to pursue a different course.”

George Washington, Farewell Address 1797.

I. Context: Washington leaves office, but before he goes he sets forth some advice for the new country.

III. Political

IV. ISOLATIONISM/NO PERMANENT ALLIANCES: In his time, entering into an alliance with a European country was akin to marrying into a crazy dysfunctional family: nothing good would come of it. This became our de facto foreign policy until 1945.

14. “SECTION 1…If any persons shall unlawfully combine or conspire together, with intent to oppose any measure or measures of the government of the United States…, or to impede the operation of any law of the United States, or to intimidate or prevent any person holding…office in or under the government of the United States, from undertaking, performing or executing his trust or duty, and if any person or persons, with intent as aforesaid, shall counsel, advise or attempt to procure any insurrection, riot, unlawful assembly, or combination…, he or they shall be deemed guilty of a high misdemeanor, and on conviction...shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars, and by imprisonment during a term not less than six months nor exceeding five years…

SECTION 2…If any person shall write, print, utter or publish, or shall cause or procure to be written, printed, uttered or published…, any false, scandalous and malicious writing or writings against the government of the United States, or either house of the Congress of the United States, or the President of the United States, with intent to defame the said government…or to bring them...into contempt or disrepute; or to excite against them...the hatred of the good people of the United States…, or to aid, encourage or abet any hostile designs of any foreign nation against the United States…, then such person, being thereof convicted…shall be punished by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars, and by imprisonment not exceeding two years.

The Sedition Act, 1798, excerpted text from congressional bill, July 14, 1798

I. Context: In an effort to maintain their political power, the Federalists create a couple of laws to disadvantage Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans, trying to muzzle their criticism of the government. This is one of the earliest examples of political conflict and party politics.

II. 1798 is during the time of the QUASI-WAR WITH FRANCE; thus, it is a convenient time to justify muzzling opposition party with excuse of war-time threats require stronger measures.

III. Political