AP Discussion Questions—American Revolution
CHAPTER 6 (French & Indian War Discussion Questions—pp. 106-121)
1. What were the causes of the French and Indian War (consider this a lengthy
question)?
2. What was the Albany Plan of Union? Why did it fail?
3. Identify the reasons for the British victory in the French and Indian War (should
have several).
4. Explain the effects of the French and Indian War. To what extent did it help
cause the American Revolution?
5. What was the Proclamation of 1763? How was it viewed by America and how
was it viewed by England? What caused this difference in perception?
CHAPTER 7 (American Revolution Discussion Questions--pp. 122-138)
1. Discuss the various methods that were used by colonists against British legislation
AND evaluate the effectiveness of each method. (This will be an ongoing
question covering several nights of reading).
2. Why did the colonists oppose the Stamp Act? Using the internet reading on the
Stamp Act, trace the arguments that were made by the colonists.
3. Which of the following was most responsible for the conflict between Britain and
its American colonies: the ineptness of parliamentary leadership, the colonists’
behavior, the high-handedness of King George III, the British mercantilist system
and Navigation Laws, the actions of British officials in the colonies, or something
else? CAREFULLY JUSTIFY your choice.
4. Identify the point in colonial-British relations between 1760 and 1776 which was
the POINT OF NO RETURN and explain why you picked that event/date.
5. What was the First Continental Congress and what decisions were made there?
6. Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of the British and the
colonists as the American Revolutionary War began? What would Britain have to
do to win? What would the colonists have to do to win?
7. Briefly summarize the argument of Parliament member Soame Jenyns (internet
reading) concerning taxation and representation.
CHAPTER 8 & BEGINNING OF 9 (Effects of the Revolution Discussion Questions
–pp. 140-171)
1. What was the Second Continental Congress? What viewpoints struggled at the
Congress?
2. How did Common Sense change the meaning of the fighting?
3. What was radical and new in the Declaration of Independence, and what was old
and traditional? What did the statement “all men are created equal” mean in its
historical context, and what did it come to mean later? Was TJ, a slave owner, a
hypocrite for making the statement?
4. Did the Loyalists deserve to be persecuted and driven out of the country? What
difference does it make to understand the Revolution as a Civil War between
Americans as well as a war against the British? (Also use the American Spirit
reading of pp. 140-142)
5. What were the three most important battles of the Revolutionary War? What
happened as a result of each?
6. What were the provisions of the Treaty of Paris (1783)?
7. What were the effects of the Revolution? Was it a true Revolution? Hmmm……