United States History Independent Study
Take-Home Examination Two: American Revolution
Mr. Novick
Please answer the following questions in our own words, using your textbook, our class discussions and notes, links from the class website, and each other.
Each answer should be written neatly in black or blue ink or typed, with careful attention paid to using correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Typed answers must be double-spaced. You have the option of either submitting this exam in class, or e-mailing your answers to me at jnovick@roycemoreschool.org by 10:00 PM the night before it is due. Also, all are invited to submit rough drafts for editing.
DUE DATE IS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26th
Each question is worth 10 points, on the following scale:
Historical Accuracy/Thought Process: 1-5 Points Possible for Each Question—
5 pts = Demonstrates mastery of all material/concepts
4 pts = Demonstrates mastery of most material/concepts
3 pts = Demonstrates basic understanding of material/concepts
2 pts = Demonstrates some knowledge of the material/concepts
1 pt = Demonstrates little knowledge of the material/concepts
0 pts = Fails to demonstrate any knowledge of the material/concepts
Writing (organization, neatness, grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.): 1-5 Points Possible for Each Question—
5 pts = Excellent writing: clear, cohesive, and well-organized. No grammar, spelling, or punctuation mistakes.
4 pts = Very Good writing: clear, cohesive, and organized, but one or two minor problems with organization, clarity, grammar, spelling, or punctuation.
3 pts = Good writing: meaning is clear, but need to address more than two problems with clarity, organization, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
2 pts = Fair writing: some of the meaning is clear, and multiple problems with organization, neatness, grammar, spelling, or punctuation.
1 pt = Poor writing: meaning is unclear, and/or serious problems with organization, neatness, grammar, spelling, or punctuation.
0 pts = Writing is incoherent
1. What caused the American Revolution? Include explanations of the following factors in your answer: French & Indian War; geography; the Enlightenment; and the nature of European society in the 17th & 18th Century. Two paragraphs.
2. Identify three specific examples of actions or laws taken by the English government that angered colonists and fueled the independence movement, being certain to explain how each led the colonists toward Revolution (revolution, you may recall, is defined as a violent or sudden change). Two full paragraphs.
3. Identify each of the following, and tell why each person is important to American history (2 points): Thomas Jefferson; John Adams; Ben Franklin; Alexander Hamilton; Samuel Adams.
4. Identify each of the following, and tell why each event is important to American history (2 points): Boston Massacre; Second Continental Congress; the Battle of Bunker Hill; the Battle of Saratoga; the Battle of Yorktown.
5. The Declaration of Independence was made public on July 4, 1776, but was actually approved by the Continental Congress two days before, on July 2nd. In this document, Thomas Jefferson and the Congress attempted to explain why the colonists had the right to declare freedom from England. What was Jefferson’s main argument to the world? Explain in one full paragraph.
6. In the movie The Crossing, we saw Washington’s rag-tag remnant of an army conduct a successful surprise attack on the Hessions at Trenton, New Jersey. Historians tell us the American victory, in military terms, was a small one. But why, then, was Washington’s decision to cross the Delaware River and attack so important to the cause of independence? Explain, providing evidence from the film. One paragraph.
7. While historians acknowledge the complex factors that led to the American Revolution, they also, almost unanimously, acknowledge that one individual practically willed the nation into being once Revolution began: George Washington. Describe in a two paragraph essay why George Washington is given such credit by historians, and tell how he accomplished the seemingly impossible: defeating the British Empire. Be specific in your answer, with examples.
8. Pretend, for a moment, that you are King George III, attempting to put down the colonial rebellion taking place in England’s colonies in the New World from 1775-83. You wish to counter the argument made to the world in the Declaration of Independence (that the colonies have a right to independence because the king has violated their natural, God-given rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness). What is your argument to the world going to be? What would you say to convince people that the colonies ought NOT to be free? Answer in two paragraphs.
9. Think for a moment about the many differences between the English colonists from the three colonial regions (New England, Mid-Atlantic & South). How do you believe they were able to unite, in spite of their many differences, to win the Revolutionary War versus the British Empire? Be as specific as possible in your one paragraph answer.
10. During and in the period immediately after the Revolutionary War, the colonies (and, after the war, states) were joined together in a government called The Articles of Confederation. Describe how the Articles worked, and explain at least one strength and weakness of this system for uniting the colonies under one government. Why did the Founders ultimately decide to throw the Articles away and draft a new Constitution? Answer in one full paragraph.
