American History Homework Two Answers - Student Twelve

1. What do you think were the three most important causes of the American Revolution.

The three main causes were a kind of chain reaction:

The colonists had grown accustomed to freedom during the period of salutary neglect, and most people who experience freedom will not be willing to give it up without a fight.

The colonists were embittered and then angered by the oppressive British taxes.

This shared grief pulled the colonies together into one unit, making a successful revolution attainable for the first time. 2. Who used the phrase "taxation without representation," and why?

Many American colonists coined this phrase during the late 18th century in protest to the heavy taxes that Britain laid on them. They argued that they should not be taxed (especially not so heavily) if they were not represented in Parliament. Hence the phrase, “No taxation without representation.”

3. What was the Boston Tea Party?

The Boston Tea Party was a protest to the high taxes that Britain placed on the colonists, but more than that it was a protest to British control in general. It was a key event leading up to the Revolution.

4. Do you blame anyone for the Salem Witch Trials? Explain.

Edmund Burke once said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” I firmly believe this, in general and as it applies to the Salem Witch Trials. Many people could have stopped this nightmare: the governor (who eventually did, but should have sooner), Tituba (who should have never allowed her own resentment to bring others harm), Chief Judge William Stoughton, any of the other defendants convicted of being witches, and even the people of the town. The blame cannot be laid on any one person, but rather it is shared by everyone who saw the evil of the situation yet refused to act.

5. True or false: colonies having more religious freedom had less conflict with the King. Explain your answer.

True. The colonies with more religious freedom were run by the Quakers, who did not believe in war. Massachusetts—a Puritan colony—was a leader in the early struggle against British control, while Pennsylvania—a Quaker-led colony open to all religions—was not.

6. Briefly discuss (in a few sentences) any of the debate or discussion topics from the lecture, or mysteries (see H3 below for the link).

George Washington. Was he great, and if so, why?

George Washington was great, not only because of his accomplishments (for these alone, though great, do not set him apart), but also because of his selflessness. He chose the general good over himself when he decided against the kingship that he could have so easily claimed. Human nature and the culture that he lived in both told him to name himself king; yet he chose against doing so and in that decision essentially gave America her freedom, a freedom that we still experience to this day.

7. Explain the meaning of the political cartoon on the right. As with all cartoons, pay particular attention to all of its details. Provide a rough estimate for its date.

This cartoon called the colonists to join together against England. It pointed out that if they did not function as one unit, their cause would be lost. It is interesting that Georgia is not included in the cartoon. This is probably because Georgia was very removed from the affairs of the rest of the colonies. This cartoon was probably drawn in the late 1760s or early 1770s.