Synthesis of notes, ppt, and video

Can small events predetermine a much bigger event? The King of England ruled the colonies in America. The Parliament began to place many acts on the colonists that restricted what they could and couldn’t do. This angered the settlers and they thought they were being treated unfairly. They also claimed that their requests for Parliament to change come of these acts were ignored. The act that angered colonists the most was that they were being given high taxes. Colonists thought that they, and not Parliament, should decide how much taxes should be. They thought that they should also decide if they got taxed at all. There were also some incidents of the British and Americans fighting in the colonies. Some colonies decided to prepare for the war that they knew would eventually happen. They armed themselves with firearms and ammunition to protect themselves and their colony. These small events led to what would be known as the American Revolution. This period in history is when American colonists decided to fight back against the British and get more freedom that they thought they deserved. The American Revolution ultimately resulted in the American colonies breaking away from British rule to govern themselves. I think that past events predicted the start of the American Revolution.

“What do we mean by the Revolution? The war? That was no part of the Revolution; it was only an effect and consequence of it. The Revolution was in the minds of the people, and this was effected, from 1760-1775, in the course of fifteen years before a drop of blood was shed at Lexington” (J. Adams to T. Jefferson, 1815). John Adams is saying that the Revolution was only the outcome of the revolution that had been going on within the colonies for years. The tension between the British and the Americans had been slowing building up for years. British Parliament kept creating new acts that affected all of the colonies and that had bad results. The colonists’ anger finally spilled over when the British raised colonists’ taxes without first asking for their opinion. This was called the Stamp Act. Taxes were placed on items such as playing cards and newspapers. On May 23, 1774, the New York Committee sent a letter to Boston. The New York Committee is telling Boston that a committee of all the colonies must be created immediately. The committee will help to create American freedom and more independence from England. The suggestion comes from the recent strictures that British Parliament has placed upon them all. Samuel Adams stated in a letter, which the Boston Committee circulated around Boston, that the acts Parliament was forcing upon them was being used to separate the colonies. England didn’t want the colonies to join together to rebel against them. When the colonists decided to boycott all British goods, England decided that something must be done. British naval ships were placed in Boston Harbor. The ships blocked all trade coming to and from Massachusetts. Benjamin Franklin thought that this and that Stamp Act was wrong. He said that England made money from American trade, not taxes. It would be more beneficial to remove the Stamp Act and take the naval ships out of Boston ports. This is why he thought that the Stamp Act should be repealed. It was wrong for England to place such high taxes on colonists and to try and control their lives the way they did.

There were events in colonial history that led up to the American Revolution. British Parliament placed ludicrous acts on colonists that made them angry. Colonists said that they weren’t being treated fairly by Parliament and they shouldn’t have to pay taxes. In the Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress, they state that they shouldn’t have to pay any taxes unless they say so. Colonists believe that they shouldn’t be controlled so much by England since they are not living there. They want their own rules and they have to own type of government, so they are able to rule themselves without Parliament’s help. Everything that England did to the colonists led up to the American Revolution. All the acts and regulations they created only added to the colonists’ anger that was already there. Colonies were always resentful of the way they were treated by England and one day they decided to do something about it. They fought back. They fought for their freedom and for their rights. Everyone knew the consequences but they didn’t care. Colonists just did what they knew was right.

Letter From New York Committee of Fifty-One in the Boston Committee of Correspondence; May 23, 1774

The Letter From New York Committee of Fifty-One in the Boston Committee of Correspondence; May 23, 1774 is a letter from the New York colonial committee to the Boston committee. The letter states that New York citizens have suggested forming a large committee of all the colonies. The suggestion comes from the recent strictures that British Parliament has placed upon them all. The committee will help to create American freedom and more independence from England. If the colonies unanimously approve the creation of the committee then it must be done immediately. All the problems that Parliament has created for them must be solved. New York is asking Boston to respond and to approve the making of the committee.

Circular Letter of the Boston Committee of Correspondence; May 13, 1774

The Circular Letter of the Boston Committee of Correspondence; May 13, 1774 is a letter that was circulated around Boston by Samuel Adams. In the letter, Adams states what the British government is trying to do to them and to all the colonies. He says that the acts that Parliament passed are being used to separate the colonists. This is so that they won’t keep the sense of liberty that they have been feeling and won’t want to separate from England. Adams says that they should stop trading with England so that Parliament will realize how much the country would suffer if they didn’t have the colonies in America. He says it will be a huge sacrifice but it will be worth it if they get what they want. England will give them what they want if they stop trading with them and boycott their goods. Colonists want freedom.

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death Text Analysis

The writer of Give Me Liberty of Give Me Death is Patrick Henry. I'm not sure who the audience of this is. I know that it is to a government, I'm just not sure which one. I think that the audience is either the colonial government or the British government. The writer, Patrick Henry, represents the colonists' anger at the British government and the unfairness of the whole situation. Henry is arguing that everything that the British has done and how they are treating them isn't fair. He is saying that the colonies have done nothing wrong, but the British government is acting like they are criminals. Henry argues it by saying that he would rather die then not have freedom. He wants his freedom and will do anything to get it. Patrick Henry argues it by saying how the British have mishandled situations within the colony. He also states what will happen or can happen if the colonists don't fight back and fight for their freedom. Proof that he gives is by saying that the British government has ignored their petitions and requests for change. He thinks that since they are being ignored they should take action. He says if colonists back down or do nothing then they will be nothing more than slaves to England. Patrick Henry said, "give me liberty or give me death!" He'd rather die than let things continue the way they have.

Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress Text Analysis

The writers of the Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress are the colonial Continental Congress. The audience is the people in the colonies. The Continental Congress wanted the people to know what happened with the British government. They wanted the people to know what had been changed and resolved and what hadn't. The writers represent the people of the colonies. The Continental Congress is stating what they have asked the British government to change, they're saying what has been resolved, and they're saying what still needs to be done. The Continental Congress is hoping that the things that still have to be change will happen in the near future. They want to be able to get what they want and need from the British government. Justification that the congress gives to legitimize their request is by saying that since their ancestors, the first original colonists, got the same rights as those still living in England then the current colonists should get those rights too. They also say that if the colonies have all or most of their requests met then both countries will be happier and be more prosperous.

Essay #1 Reflection

Throughout writing this essay about Bacon’s Rebellion, I’ve learned a lot about how my writing process and philosophy has changed. When I would write a paper or an essay before, my rough draft would essentially be my final draft with very little changes to it. I’ve learned how much better a piece of writing can become when you become when you write it over and over again. During each revision of the essay, I would always be adding or taking away something. The outline helped me more than I thought it would. My essay was basically my outline with more detail and commentary. Not only my writing process has changed, but my writing philosophy has changed as well. I still think that you need to use your heart when you’re writing, but I also think that you need to think before you write. You can’t just write what you’re feeling before you think about the consequences or impact those words may have. I’m happy with the end result of my essay and like the changes I made during my entire writing process as well as the positive impact it has had on my writing philosophy.

History is important. It has an impact on your life even if it doesn’t directly affect you. Bacon’s Rebellion is like that. It led to the American Revolution, which did affect all of us. It affected our nation’s history. If the American Revolution had never occurred then we might still be a British territory. America might still be ruled by England. Instead of a small section of states being called New England, the British government might’ve changed the name from America to New England. Americans might not have a president, a king and a royal family might instead rule us. We might not have all the freedoms and liberties that we enjoy today. All the parts of our democracy might not even exist the way it does now. The end of British rule in America meant the beginning of a new future for us.

Reflection of Bacon's Rebellion Essay

Recently, I wrote an essay on Bacon’s Rebellion. My topic was the effect that it had on Native Americans after it occurred. I used quotes to make my argument clearer. The sources where I got my information and quotes from were good resources and helped me write my essay. I used templates from my textbook, They Say/I Say, to make what “they” were saying clearer so that readers would understand the argument and conversation within the essay. In my background information, I stated what Bacon’s Rebellion was and how Native Americans were affected both before and during the revolt. In my concluding paragraph I stated how Bacon’s Rebellion affects society now and how it could be different had it not happened. I’m happy with the end result of my essay and like the changes I made during the entire writing process.