Topic

Question

1763 Year of Decision

To what extent and in what ways was the year 1763 a turning point in American History?     (answer key)

Colonies Similar

Although the thirteen American colonies were founded at different times by people with different motives and with different forms of colonial charters and political organization, by the Revolution the 13 colonies had become remarkably similar. Assess the validity of this statement.

Democracy in the Colonies

 In the late 18th century, American colonists felt passionately that the British were disregarding their rights. To what extent was the United States itself, as evidenced by its’ social, economic and political institutions undemocratic, even when measured against the standards of that time?

French and Indian War

 To what extent did the results of the French and Indian War [1754-1763] alter the basic relationship between the British and their American subjects?

French and Indian War 2

 “The colonial wars fought between the British and the French for domination of the North American continent created a sense of national spirit among the British colonies and created the basis for later unity.” Assess the validity of this statement.

Great Awakening

 To what extent was the religious movement called The Great Awakening of 1739-17451 the philosophical and intellectual cornerstone of the political thought that would justify the American Revolution?

Altered Relationship

 1754 to 1774 a profound alteration of relationship occurred between the American colonists and their mother country, Great Britain. This changing relationship became painfully obvious to both parties with the opening of the American Revolution and active hostilities.  Identify and explain the key factors which brought about this changing relationship using your own knowledge and the documents provided.

American Revolution

Despite the view of some historians that the conflict between Great Britain and its thirteen North American colonies was economic in origin, in fact the American Revolution had its roots primarily in politics and other areas of American life. Assess the validity of this statement.

Colonial Life

 “If colonial life in 1775 differed from that of 1675, the change was largely due to population increase.” Assess the validity of this statement.

Diplomats and Generals

 The achievements of diplomats are in the long run more decisive than generals. Assess the validity of this statement for the period 1775-1815.

Indians and Revolution

 When the thirteen British colonies won their independence in 1783 it had the worst possible consequences for Native Americans. Assess the extent of the validity of this statement.

Treaty of Paris

 “At Paris in 1783, the American negotiators obtained a more generous peace accord from the British than anyone had a right to expect. It was a strong foundation for the difficult nation building of the next fifty years.”  Assess the validity of this statement.

Unit and Identify (1999 College Board Question)

 To what extent had the colonists developed a sense of their identity and unity as Americans by the eve of the Revolution? Use the documents and your knowledge of the period 1750 to 1776 to answer the question.

Women in Revolution

 Starting from positions of inferior privilege, activists among colonial women took advantage of the turmoil of revolution and constitution building to advance, as best they might the social, economic, and political rights. Assess the validity of this statement for colonial women.

Mercantilism

 To what extent did British mercantilist policy restrict colonial economic development?

Blacks and Revolution

 Starting from positions of inferior privilege, activists among colonial African Americans took advantage of the turmoil of revolution and constitution building to advance as best they might their social, economic, and political rights. Assess the validity of this statement for colonial African Americans, describe the level of access achieved, and advance an argument which uses the documents provided and outside information to prove your thesis.

British Oppressive Rule

 The Declaration of Independence claims that British rule was oppressive while some historians have called the Americans of the 1760s and 70s “the freest people on Earth.”  Which interpretation do you feel is more accurate? Use the documents and your knowledge of U S History to answer the question.

Radical Revolt

 To what extent was “American cultural and political evolution and the momentous events, 1750-1800, were driven by radical rather than conservative influences which altered the status of the common man while threatening the power and prestige of what Hamilton called “the better sort.”

Taxation and Representation

 “The demand for no taxation without representation was the primary force motivating the American revolutionary movement, and for many it became a symbol for democracy.” Assess the validity of this statement.