“There was a time when patriotism meant treason.”
Social Studies: Mr. White
Not every colonist in America supported independence and not every British citizen
opposed independence for the colonies. In this article a British citizen who was proAmerican is remembered for her courage and advocacy for liberty. Her name is
Catherine Sawbridge Macaulay. Those brave Americans, who signed the Declaration of
Independence and fought for independence from Great Britain, realized that if they lost,
they would probably hang for treason.
Your task is two fold.
1. A. Come up with your own concise definition of patriotism before you read the article.
B. Now read the article by Judith Jennings titled, “There was a time when patriotism
meant treason.”
2. Write a legible essay which addresses the following items:
 Reflect on the question of why patriotism is important to you and your country.
 Critique, analyze and tear apart Macaulay’s understanding of patriotism.
 Reflecting on her definition, what is the challenge in being patriotic?
 Based upon your definition are the Founding Fathers patriots or traitors? Does
this change and how if you apply Macaulay’s definition. Explain.
 Explain why it is important to be reminded of Catherine Sawbridge Macaulay and
her views concerning patriotism especially in the political climate of our day and
time.
3. Embed your definition of Patriotism in your essay.
4. Maximum length 3 pages, single spaced, 12 font.
Due Thursday October 23, 2014
Rough Draft due for peer editing October 20