American Experience
Paper #2
DUE: October 9
In class, we discussed “The Crisis” and the “Speech at the Virginia Convention.” Both pieces of writing use reason
and logic to explain why a life of colonial government under Britain is inherently wrong, and both argue for a
revolution using powerful, expressive language.
Well, what if you were a Tory, a Quaker or a Native American? What would your position be? For this assignment,
chose one of the identities below and write an essay in which you argue either for or against the revolution using
the perspective of one of the identity’s you’ve chosen. Like Paine and Henry, you must use logic to defend your
position. Provide specific quotes from both, then argue why those men are right or wrong.
Beneath each identity (below) is a link to an article that will help you understand the lives of those individuals
living in the colonies and how their lives shaped their political opinions.
1) Pennsylvanian Farmer and Quaker
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/religion-and-eighteenth-century-revivalism/essays/origins-andlegacy-pennsylvania-quaNew England Congregationalist Minister
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/rel03.html
2) Scots-Irish Frontiersman
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/road-revolution/resources/proclamation-1763
3) Colonial Woman
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/creating-new-government/essays/righteous-revolution-mercy-otiswarren
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/war-for-independence/essays/women-and-wagoners-campfollowers-american-war-for-indepe
4) Free Black Sailor (“Black Jack”)
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/origins-slavery/essays/anti-slavery-before-revolutionary-war
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part2/2h22.html
http://www.dol.gov/oasam/programs/history/chapter1.htm
5) Virginia Planter
http://www.ouramericanrevolution.org/index.cfm/people/view/pp0037
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/origins-slavery/essays/anti-slavery-before-revolutionary-war
http://www.ouramericanrevolution.org/index.cfm/page/view/p0205
6) Rhode Island Ship Captain
http://www.ouramericanrevolution.org/index.cfm/page/view/p0089
7) Maryland Catholic Planter
http://teachingamericanhistorymd.net/000001/000000/000052/html/t52.html
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03379c.htm
http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/speccol/sc2200/sc2221/000004/000000/html/00000004.html
http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/educ/exhibits/html/bushriver.html
8) Shawnee Chief
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/war-for-independence/essays/indians%E2%80%99-warindependence
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/road-revolution/resources/proclamation-1763
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/thirteen-colonies/essays/colonial-virginia-frontier-andinternational-native-american
11/ Iroquois Chief
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/american-indians/essays/league-iroquois
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/road-revolution/resources/proclamation-1763
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/thirteen-colonies/essays/colonial-virginia-frontier-andinternational-native-american
9) New Jersey Blacksmith
http://www.dol.gov/oasam/programs/history/chapter1.htm
10) Tory Perspective
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/amrev/rebell
n/galloway.html
Requirements:

Minimum 1.5 typed MLA pages (approximately 5 paragraphs)

Writing must logically and reasonably present reasons why the colonists should or should not support the
Revolution. Each paragraph should present a clear, specific reason why to fight or not fight, then support
that reason with details and facts.

Must include at least two quotes from Paine and/or Henry.

Writing must use expressive language, rhetorical devices, mature vocabulary, and bold, aggressive style to
appeal to the emotions of the reader.

Paper must have excellent grammar, and be free of run-ons, fragments, and punctuation errors. Do not
use the 1st person point of view. This may be difficult. Instead of “we should support the king,” say things
like, “Citizens of these colonies must support the king.”