DOCUMENT-BASED QUESTION (DBQ): American Revolution

Name: Class: 7DOCUMENT-BASED QUESTION (DBQ): American RevolutionThis question is based on the accompanying document (1-6). The question is designed to test your ability to workwith historical documents. Some of the documents have been edited for the purposes of the question. As youanalyze the documents, take into account the source of each document and any point of view that may bepresented in the document.HISTORICAL CONTEXT:In the 1760s, shortly after the conclusion of the French and Indian War, the British Parliamentpassed a series of laws and taxes on the American Colonies. The colonists disagreed with GreatBritain on the fairness of these laws and taxes, which led to conflict between the two sides.Eventually, this conflict erupted into the American Revolution.TASK:Using the information from the documents and your knowledge of social studies, answer thequestions that follow each document in Part A. Your answers to the questions will help youwrite the Part B essay in which you will be asked to Describe at least two British laws or actions that the American colonists thought were unfairand explain why the colonists thought these were unfair. Discuss at least two actions American colonists took to fight or resist British laws or actions.DBQ Guidelines: UNDERSTAND the question BRAINSTORM your ideas ANALYZE the documents ORGANIZE your ideas and information WRITE your organized essay EDIT your essay- grammar! focus! organization!1

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Document #1Speech by Patrick Henry to the Virginia House of Burgesses,May 1765 in response to the Stamp Act“We can under law be taxed only by ourown representatives. We have norepresentatives in the British Parliament.So how can the British Parliament placethis tax on us? It is simple; they cannot!The Stamp Act is against the law. Wemust not obey it King George is a tyrant.He breaks the laws. He is an enemy of hisown people.”1. Why does Patrick Henry feel that the Stamp Act and other British tax laws are unlawful? [1] 2. How does Patrick Henry describe King George III? [1] 3

Document #2Graph showing colonial trade with Great Britain3. Why did imports from Great Britain to the colonies decline? [1] 4. When did the greatest drop in British imports occur, and what event caused that decline? [2] 4

Document #3Stamp Act (1765) - enacted shortly after the French and Indian WarBritish Currency 1765:12 Pence 1 Shilling20 Shillings 1 Pound 240 Pence5. Why did Great Britain enact the Stamp Act? [1] 6. Identify three goods taxed by the Stamp Act? [3] 5

Document #4Article from a loyalist newspaper in AmericaRiots Sweep American ColoniesPHILADELPHIA, OCTOBER 1774: Riots, tarring and featherings,destruction of property, and now outright treason!Here in Philadelphia, delegates from the colonies met last monthto form their own Parliamentary body, the so-called “ContinentalCongress.” Among other acts of treason, the 56 rebels [in thecongress] claimed the right to arm their militias in defensiveagainst the British crown.This Congress is an attempt to unite the lawless acts of rebellionthat have ravaged the colonies for a decade. The madness began in1764 when Parliament passed taxes on sugar and paper to pay forthe costly French and Indian War. Crying out against “taxationwithout representation,” the colonists responded by boycottingBritish goods and attacking tax collectors.But the recent “tea party” in which rebels destroyed hundreds ofchests of British tea in Boston, may be the last straw. When toldof the protests, a British official said, “This will not stand.The colonist dogs shall be ground into their savage soil.”7. Identify two colonial actions at the start of the article that angered the British? [2] 8. What act of treason does the article say was committed by the Continental Congress?[1] 6

Document #5Document 5/AStatement describing the Boston Tea Party- December 1773"It was now evening, and I immediately dressed myself in the costume of anIndian, equipped with a small hatchet, which I and my associates denominatedthe tomahawk, with which, and a club, after having painted my face and handswith coal dust in the shop of a blacksmith, I repaired to Griffin's wharf, where theships lay that contained the tea. When I first appeared in the street after beingthus disguised, I fell in with many who were dressed, equipped and painted as Iwas, and who fell in with me and marched in order to the place of our destination. We then were ordered by our commander to open the hatches and take out allthe chests of tea and throw them overboard, and we immediately proceeded toexecute his orders, first cutting and splitting the chests with our tomahawks, soas thoroughly to expose them to the effects of the water.”George Hughes December 16, 1773Document 5/BIllustration of colonists dumping tea into Boston Harbor9. What event is being described by George Hughes? [1] 10. Why did the colonists dump the tea into the Boston Harbor? [1] 7

Document #6Intolerable Acts- 177411. Identify two laws created as part of the Intolerable Acts?[2] 12. What was the purpose of the Intolerable Acts? [1] 8

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American Revolution This question is based on the accompanying document (1-6). The question is designed to test your ability to work with historical documents. Some of the documents have been edited for the purposes of the question. As you analyze the documents, take into account the source of each document and any point of view that may be presented in the document. HISTORICAL CONTEXT: passed .