American Revolution DBQ
Historical Context: Between the French & Indian War and the American
Revolution many colonists became increasingly dissatisfied with British
Colonial rule. Frustration with British policies eventually led to actions
of protest and a Declaration of Independence in July, 1776.
Task: Using information from the documents and your knowledge of US
History, answer the questions that follow each document in Part A. Your
answers to the questions will help you write the Part B essay, in which you
will be asked to…
• Discuss the economic, social, or political effects of British policies on the
American Colonists 1754-1776
• Evaluate the overall unity of the American Colonists in their revolt against
British Colonial Rule 1754-1776
Doc. 1
1754 Albany Congress Cartoon by Benjamin Franklin
1. What was the purpose of this French and Indian War era cartoon?
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Doc. 2
1763 Proclamation Line
Prohibited colonial
settlement west of
the Appalachian
Mountains in the
immediate aftermath
of the French and
Indian War.
2. What was one effect of the 1763 Proclamation Line on the British Colonies?
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Doc. 3
Triangular Trade
Map showing
Mercantile trade
routes in the
1700s
3. What was the purpose of mercantile trade routes according to this map?
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Doc. 4a
Doc. 4b
1770
Boston
Massacre
engraving
by
Paul
Revere
1773
Boston
Tea Party
illustration
4. What do these documents indicate about British colonialism in Boston
in the 1770s?
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Doc. 5
5. What do the American Colonial responses to British Government actions
indicate about American unity prior to the 1776 Declaration of Independence?
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Doc. 6
..I challenge the warmest advocate (supporter) for reconciliation,
to shew (show), a single advantage that this continent can reap (gain),
by being connected with Great Britain. I repeat the challenge, not a
single advantage is derived (acquired). Our corn will fetch its price
in any market in Europe, and our imported goods must be paid for,
buy them where we will…
- Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776
6. What was one economic argument Thomas Paine was giving for
promoting American Independence from British Colonial rule?
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Doc. 7a …Men being, as has
been said, by Nature, all free,
equal, and independent, no one
can be put out of his Estate, and
be subjected to the Political Power
of another, without his own Consent.
-John Locke Second Treatise of Government 1690
Doc .7b …We hold these truths to be
self-evident, that all Men are created
equal, that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain unalienble Rights…
…to secure these Rights, Governments
are instituted among Men, deriving their
just powers from the Consent of the
Governed … Declaration of Independence 1776
7. Based on these two documents, what is one basic belief about a
good government and its relationship to the people being governed?
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Doc. 8
“…They call me a brainless Tory; but tell me my good young friend,
which is better, to be ruled by one tyrant three thousand miles away,
or by three thousand tyrants, not one mile away? I tell you my young
boy, there was just as much humbug in politics seventy years ago
as there is today. “ -Mather Byles …The Noted Boston Tory Preacher
8. What is one objection to the American Rebellion based on the words
of this Tory Loyalist in the 1770’s ?
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Doc. 9a
“…The Mohawks have on all
occasions shown their loyalty
to the Great King; yet they have
been very badly treated by his
people. “–Joseph Brant 1770’s
Mohawk War Chief
Doc. 9b
Boston Tax
Collector 1774
Being tarred
and feathered
by Rebel
Colonists
-by Phillip Daw
9. Based on information in these two documents, how were people in
America who were loyal to the British government sometimes treated?
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