Unit 2: American Revolution Scaffolded Deconstructed DBQ Assignment Sheet and Document Set
Scaffolded Document Set that addresses the question: how did British and colonial perspectives on taxation, representation, and self-governance compare in the decades leading up to the American Revolution?
Instructions
Read and analyze each document in the set. Use the vocabulary to support your understanding and take notes on a piece of paper as you read. Then, use the grouping sources organizer to plan your response to the prompt.
In your response, you should:
- Respond to the prompt with a defensible thesis that establishes a line of reasoning.
- Group the sources (documents) based on similarities or connections.
DBQ Question:
How did British and colonial perspectives on taxation, representation, and self-governance compare in the decades leading up to the American Revolution?
Documents
Document A: Declaratory Act (1766)
| “…That the said colonies and plantations in America have been, are, and of right ought to be, subordinate unto, and dependent upon the imperial crown and parliament of Great Britain; and that the King’s majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the lords … of right ought to have, full power and authority to make laws and statutes of sufficient force and validity to bind the colonies and people of America, subjects of the crown of Great Britain, in all cases whatsoever…”
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subordinate– lower in rank or position
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| Analysis Questions
1. According to the excerpt, who held ultimate authority over the American colonies? 2. Why might the British Parliament have passed this act immediately after repealing the Stamp Act? |
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Document B: The Patriot- Samuel Johnson (1774)
| “…To suppose, that by sending out a colony, the nation established an independent power; that when, by indulgence and favour, emigrants are become rich, they shall not contribute to their own defence, but at their own pleasure; and that they shall not be included, like millions of their fellow-subjects, in the general system of representation; involves such an accumulation of absurdity, as nothing but the show of patriotism could palliate. He that accepts protection, stipulates obedience. We have always protected the Americans; we may, therefore, subject them to government…” |
emigrants- people who move out of a country
absurdity-unreasonableness or ridiculousness
palliate– make less severe stipulates obedience- demands compliance |
| Analysis Questions
1. According to the author, what do colonists owe in return for British protection? 2. What assumptions about representation and political authority does the author make? |
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Document C: Common Sense – Thomas Paine (1776)
| “There is something very absurd in supposing a continent to be perpetually governed by an island. In no instance hath nature made the satellite larger than its primary planet… Everything that is right or natural pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, ’TIS TIME TO PART.”
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absurd: wildly unreasonable perpetually: without end hath: has
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| Analysis Questions
1. Why might Paine have chosen to emphasize the size and relationship between a “continent” and an “island”? 2. How does this comparison shape his critique of British authority?
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Document D: Declaration of Independence (1776)
| “…For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury: For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences: For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies: For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments: For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever…” |
imposing- forcing
depriving– denying or withholding
abolishing– ending
Arbitrary- unrestrained and tyrannical
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| Analysis Questions
1. According to the excerpt, how did the British government interfere with the colonists’ legal rights? Give at least 3 examples in your own words. 2. In what ways does the excerpt illustrate a breakdown in the principle of self-governance? |
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