Rise To Rebellion Section 1 = Part 1 The Right and The Power
This will be your 1st blog about the book Rise to Rebellion. Use Reading Thoughts and Thinking Like a Historian. Also you may do a second blog here commenting on another person's blog.
Jenni Geurink Reading Thoughts: Importance: A key passage from part one of this story occurs on page 188. "The alarm had been sounded. They had a cause." John Adams admits that the patriots had finally found a cause that was worthy enough to fight for. This is important because it showcased the moment when the upcoming war wasn't just thought anymore, it was bound to happen. The injustice that they had faced was going to be rationalized, they were truly passionate about their fate, whichever way it would go. Evaluation: An interesting concept was the portrayal of King George lll. In the research I had done prior, I had always thought that the King was just an arrogant tyrant. I never looked into the fact that I might have been bias regarding the subject. When the book described King George as "... a decent, caring man...", I was a bit confused (page ix). This just doesn't fit the theory I have of what this monarch would be like. It contradicted what I already knew quite a bit, but then again I didn't really know all that much about him. The author could have been a bit biased himself considering almost any American is.
Reading Like a Historian: Differing Perspectives: The whole revolutionary war was based on differing perspectives. The Americans believed that they would prosper without England's guidance; however, the English thought that the Americans were too "childish" to be left alone and needed a "firm" hand. Neither side understood the other or even bothered to try. They both kept to their arrogant selves and pride. Obviously, I would agree with the Americans, but I do see somewhat of a point with the English. If both sides would have agreed to look into each others views, the revolution most likely would have gone more peacefully than it did. But the strong voices of both sides were tremendously necessary. Turning Points: I think that the Boston Tea Party was a major turning point in the cause of the war. Once the patriots dumped the tea, there was no going back. There was simply no chance at a peaceful agreement after that. That decision put America and England on the path for a single choice: war. All of the taxing (without representation) really narrowed England's choices from the beginning. They were picking a fight with a America by eliminating their freedoms.
Excellent starting blog Jenny! Some great insights about King George and the concept of author bias. Also good use of the TLH perspectives and Turning pts. Well done!
Alexis Abrego Reading Thoughts: Big Idea: The first reading thought I had was the reoccuring pattern of the relationship between the English government and the colonies. The pattern is this: the colonies have a self reliency and want to be involved in decisions in England, but they are always being pushed away from the "superior" English because they are simply "colonists". The government begins to make poor decisions and began making large decisions about taxing and such then the colonists begin to grumble and act out against the government. Then the government realizes the mistake and repeals the law or act, anf then the process starts all over. This pattern though follows a downward spiral; each time it gets worse till a breaking point must occur.
Connections: The next though I had was about the connections between the American Revolution and the French Revolution. In the French cities people were starving and began to unify and take down the nonlistening government; the same was with the Boston Port Act. The English created a punishment to remove trade and any form of colonistic justice. Instead of the expected groveling of the city the colonists from around the area joined togetherand began more serious measures.
Thinking Like A Historian: Differing Perspectives: The first THL concept I'd like to touch on was differing perspectives. The English and the colonists both saw the colonies in different ways. The colonists had learned to take care of themselves and resented being forced to listen to a government across an ocean that didn't let them have a say. The English however thought very differently. They saw the colonists as immature, rowdy, and incapable of making decisions about governing themselves. This carelessness and neglagence was the cornerstone of the colonists long list of comlaints. Turning Points: As a result of the Boston Tea Party the Boston Port Act removed all local government from Boston. This final straw for the people of Boston was a turning point in the fact that England was removing all sense of self-government form the colonists. This angered them so and all the other colonies enough that they gathered to create the First Continental Congress the first unification of the colonies.
Comment: Me and Jenni were very much on the same page for this part of the book. I too saw a large difference in my image of King George. I very much like this book's portrayal of both sides of the story. I feel both a sympathy for the colonies and the English, like General Gage and Major Pitcairn which is very different from other books I have read where the English seem like heartless fools.
Tou Vang Visualize: A great part that I could easily visualize was when Ben Franklin went to Ireland. His little trip off road showed how compassionate he was. He saw through England's illusion and saw the future of America, if it had stayed with England. As he was passing by the hills he thought nothing of it, until McCabe had told him those where the homes of the persecuted Irish people. As the book described, "The people were staring at hi, grim dirty faces, and there was none of the welcome, the kind hospitality he had become accustomed to.... more of the strange awful homes, more dark stares as people stopped to watch the carriage pass by. He forgot about waving, understood now there was no friendly greeting in these people, no joy in their existence. He felt sick; he had never expected to see anything like this, such a beautiful land, but such poverty in the people." (87,88). He later compares this treatment to slavery, saying it is unjust and is morally wrong.
Importance: From this first section of the book it is clear that England wants to take advantage of America's resources. It does not go into specifics about the taxes, but it does mention the various taxes that England tried to impose into America. Anther example that was symbolic in the book was when Franklin was called for a hearing due to the letters that Adams had printed and published. It described the speakers as abusive towards Franklin. Franklin had seen this as an act to humiliate him and saying " So Wedderburn will provide the great show, the entertainment for this extraordinary audience."(172)As the hearing goes on he people are on Franklin's side having heard enough of Wedderburn's abuse.
Through Their Eyes: The first event that took place in this book was the Boston Massacre. I previously thought that the soldiers had started the fight, but in this book it had described the soldiers only defending themselves from the locals. The soldiers did not want to cause a scene so he nothing until they started physically attacking and and taunting him.
Turning points: By England introducing cheaper tea to the colonies, they had provoked the Sons of Liberty to go into action. They dumped all the tea into the harbor. By doing this they angered the king and thus the destroyed their sense of government. This act of rebellion also caused there to be more soldiers to be in Massachusetts. This event cause the colonies to have a meeting and thus helping in the formation of America and the separation of America and Britain.
Comment: I think Alexis has hit the Big idea spot on. The colonies want to be have a say in their economy but the English think they are not ready. Britain is still trying to pay off their war dept so they use an unwilling source. This causes conflicts with the colonist and they fight for the oppression to stop.
Reading thoughts: Importance-Right for the beginning of the book you see how England wants America's reasources. They tired to get this from taxing the Americans but it failed. Because of the strong actions from England of trying to be taxed the Americans rebelled with dressing up and dumping the tea into the Boston harbor. With all this uprise the story of the shooting and also the dumping of the tea gets to Gage in America. He ends up going to governor Hutchinson to try to convince him to move the troops from Birtian before the court day of captain preston. ".....Hutchinson, who said I am prepared to do whatever is necessary to protect Captain Preston and his men" (31). This shows that he won't intentionally let his men down.
Visualize: It was easy to visualize being there with Franklin when he would talk about his family and just how lonely his was.(pages 36-38) He loved his children very much and wanted to best for them and in his eyes that was sending them to England for there upper education. Once they reached the age he would send them away knowing he would see them again soon. But even with his love towards his wife they were apart a lot. "...Franklin continued to hope that his wife,Deborah, would someday overcome her deep fear of the sea and make the journey to England with him" (36). He had is lonely times when he would lay in bed or just sit around imagining what he would be talking about with his wife if she was there with him.
Reading like a historian: Turning points: I think one of the major turning points was because of the boston tea party. Because of trying to tax so the inports and exports on America the English pretty much asked for them to rebell. America didn't want to have someone trying to controll them they wanted to be free and take care of themselves.
Cause and Effect: Because of England getting greedy and wanting to take over America's resources they were pretty much prevoking the Americans to rebel in someway. The Americans wanted change to happen they wanted to prove they could handle themselves. I think that it was intended to make America mad enough that they will just give in and give there resources up but I think that it was accidendal that they made them mad enough to dump the tea into the harbor.
Comments: I disagree with Tou on his "through their eyes" the soldiers were there to do want they came to do, protect the custom house along with any other orders they got. The citizens were walking around and pretty much teasing them and eventually tempting them to fight back like when they started throwing snowballs with ice chucks in them.
Reading Thoughts Importance: After reading part one of the book I found that there was more than one event that triggered the rebellion. There was the taxes, the Boston Massacre, the Town Meetings, the Sons of Liberty, the letters, and the Boston Tea Party. These were some important events that took place. Because of these actions, the colonists provoked a war. Part one, in my opinion, shows how the rebellion started.
Connections: One of the parts I could really visualize while reading was when Ben Franklin was talking to his friend, William Strahan. They were both speaking when I fly was spotted in the wine. It appeared dead, but Franklin pulled it out and it came alive. "The two men stared at the fly, and the buzzing stopped then began again, and suddenly the fly was gone, disappearing into the dull light of the room" (p 114). I've seen this before and like Ben Franklin, thought it was strange, but interesting. It's unusual to see something like that happen. It makes a person wonder how that works.
Reading Like A Historian Change and Continuity: What has changed is that the colonists have decided to rebel against England. From this change, I feel that the colonists are the only ones to benefit from the rebellion after they succeed. England is losing people and resources. They know that they must not lose otherwise they'll lose power.
Turning point: I believe that the largest turning point was when the colonists had dressed as Native Americans and poured the tea into the harbor. Seeing as they could not have the tea, they decided that no one could have it. This was great offense to England not because only because it was an act of rebellion, but also a loss in funds. This pushed them further to start a war.
Comments: I agree with Elizabeth in her Cause and Effect entry. England was trying to control America, but it's only natural for the motherland to want to take and make use of the new land. But of course the Colonies would want to part. They left England for a reason; for freedom. You're right in England not foreseeing the Colonists rebel.
READING THOUGHTS Big Idea: In general, it was: King George III would come up with new laws/acts, and then back in the colonies people would rebel; this happens several times. For example, right at the beginning of the book when "His Majesty's Twenty-ninth Regiment... had been summoned to the boats by their commander...to maintain the peace." (3)Many of the people in the Massachusetts colony (as well as other colonies) became angered that they were to house these soldiers in their own home; therefore, rebelling and causing fights, with soldiers. This then becomes a never-ending-getting-worse process that can only be fixed if one side completely dies out.
Visualize: It was easy for me to visualize the court case for Benjamin Franklin. I really saw how Benjamin Franklin took the verbal abuse of Lord Wedderburn and the laughter of the audience, and then finally at the end when, "the voices of the audience rose, some applauding the decision, some calling out in angry protest...He looked at the two men who were still watching him, managed a slight smile, said, 'Difficult day.'"(176) This shows what a strong individual Benjamin Franklin was.
READING LIKE A HISTORIAN Turning Point: The major turning point is the Boston Tea Party. The colonists angered from the refusal of returning the tea at port, concluded in them rebelling by dumping the tea into the Boston Harbor. Dumping all the tea into the harbor angers Britain. In response, Britain takes away the colonies' self-government. With many of the colonies slowly losing their freedom, they realize their common goal of independence with each other. With this, they become one power and soon the Boston Tea Party marks the beginning of the American Revolution.
Through Their Eyes: Sons of Liberty had done what they've done with the Boston Tea Party because their rights were being taken away from them. Sitting back just to watch Britain do what they want with the Americans' dignity, and self-pride is wrong. Rebelling and talking about their hate for Britain didn't do much. With such a strong passion and motivation for their own freedom, the Sons of Liberties' actions were appropriate.
Comment: I agree with Melanie's post about the colonists gaining power over Britain for a change and this only benefiting them. Britain's' "power" is pretty much ignored by the colonies, therefore Britain's mojo is invalid. I also agree with her post about the Americans leaving England for freedom. If they left for freedom, they REALLY don't want to be controlled by England anymore; if England keeps pushing American buttons and THEY want to start a war; the colonies are ready.
Questions: General Gage says that if he had more Regiments then "The rabble in Boston will be brought under control again. The rebellion will be stopped" (185). Wouldn't the people of Boston still have rebelled anyways? Soldiers wouldn't dare shoot anyone after the Boston Massacre so they might as well continue rebelling.
Big Ideas and Generalizations: I found it ironic how people can't learn from the past (history repeats itself). England acted as the superior of the the Thirteen Colonies and the Thirteen Colonies got tired of that. They started to rebel and here we are today. It's exactly like racial segregation with the blacks. The whites are England and the blacks would be the Thirteen Colonies. Although the problems are different, we can only say that the situations are about the same.
THINKING LIKE A HISTORIAN
Turning Points: Franklin sent letters to Tom Cushing and the Songs of Liberty had published them. I think the letters are a good thing because they had helped the Sons of Liberty distinguished who their enemy was: Governor Hutchinson.
Through Their Eyes: Benjamin Franklin is a very optimistic person. He viewed the world differently from everybody else. One quote that really caught my attention was "Open your windows and let life inside. You cannot purge sickness by imprisoning it. You must wash it away" (34). To many others, he was viewed as an odd person. However, Franklin was a strong man and he endured a lot of things that other people wouldn't have been able to.
COMMENT:
Mai Xee, I imagined the same scene when I was reading it and I agree that Franklin is a strong man. If that would have been me, I would be talking back and possibly even crying from too much stress. It must have been really hard to even smile at the end of the hearing.
Visualize: I had a great visual image in chapter 8 when Benjiman Franklin goes to Dublin, Ireland. When he visits the countryside, he sees that most people live in poverty. "Franklin had seen the same sobering sights, people who owned nothing, who barely survived on a diet of potatoes and buttermilk, whose lives were played out in the cold despair of poverty" (88). Franklin also continued to wonder what it would be like if people from back home could see what oppression really is. Which is true. You don't know what it is until you see it for yourself.
Importance: When Thomas Gage meets with King George, the king asked Gage what his thoughts were about Governor Thomas Hutchinton. Since King George thought that Gage was too timid to answer, the king stated that he is orderly minded and loyal. However, he also stated, "...he is weak. Timid. Reluctant to offend the very barbarians who bark and growl at the walls of the empire" (185). Gage is to go to Boston to command the troops, and assume control of the government, which means that Governor Hitchinson is to be relieved of his postion. Once Gage takes over, it may be different the way Boston is run.
READING LIKE A HISTORIAN
Turning Points: A major turning point in this section is when the Sons of Liberty dumped the tea into the Boston Harbor. The reason why they did that in the first place is that, in the people's eyes, they are being taxed on something they can't even have. It is definately an act of rebellion, but their intenstions were on the right track, if they want a war.
Differing Perspectives: According to Adams, Hutchinson has "a smug, aristocratic superiority, the arrogant disregard for both written law and the collective wishes of the people." In other words, he's not that great of a governor. But to Adams, the important thing is that Hutchinson is from boston and a Harvard Graduate. According to King George and Thomas Gage, (like I said previously) Hutchinson is loyal and orderly minded, but timid and weak. Which is why Gage is taking over as Governor. According to myself, it wouldn't really matter if the governor is from Boston or a Harvard graduate. It would depend on their leadership and how well they handle their responsibilities.
Comment: Pamela, I agree with your "Through Their Eyes" statement. Franklin was definately an optimistic person. He wasn't like most people, because he views things differently. Especially when he visited Ireland, when he gave McCabe a coin for giving him a ride. Most people would not do that.
Reading Thoughts Connections: After reading the first part of the book I see alot of connections to today. One of the main problems or questions that sparked the revolutionary war was how much power the government should have over the people. The Sons of Liberty led by Samuel Adams in the book passed out pamphlets and they gave fiery speechs on how through the Stamp Act the government in London was abusing it's power. And those same battles are being fought today. An example of this is the huge fight over health care and the individual mandate to buy health insurance. Another connection I found was the fight over 'taxation without representation.' I was shopping with family and I saw a license plate from Washington DC that had the same phrase on it, and after some research I was amazed to find that people in D.C pay federal taxs but don't have any representation in Congress. Which is extremly ironic given the fact that Ben Franklin fought so hard for represention in London for the colonies, because althrough he represented many of the colonies nothing that the people's assemblies in the colonies passed or said had any effect.
Visualize: The most visual part of the book for me was when John Adams went to his farm in the country after the British shut down Boston Harbor. I thought that was a powerful image when the roads were blocked with thousands of people fleeing the city with their few belongings. I also thought that was a great example of what the Sons of Liberty were saying all along. That because the ministers in London weren't from, and didn't represent the colonies they put little to no thought in how their policies would effect the people.
Reading Like A Historian Through Their Eyes: I find Ben Franklin the most interesting character in the book. Mainly because unlike the other characters he really is in the belly of the beast. He is the one that constanstly has to deal with anti-American setiment in London and he has to relay the messages the colonies sent to the King. He is also in the difficult position of being related to the royal Governor of New Jersey, his son. Who ironically asks his father for advice on how to run his administration. But this conflict also ripped his family apart. This makes his view point very important because he see and experiences how the government in London views the colonies.
Cause and Effect: Cause and effect is a really important part of the story especially when you think of the policies that London enacted. For example the Tea Act with it's new taxes put merchants out of business. Another example is when the King cancelled the charter of Massachusetts. This had the effect of galvanizing effect of inspiring the other colonies.
Comment Mackenzie, I agree with your Differing Prospectives portion. I really shouldn't matter if Hutchson is from Boston. What should matter is how he views the people of Massachusetts? And from the letters that Ben Franklin gave to the Samuel Adams he doesn't think to highly of them and is more loyal to the crown then his own people.
Reading Thoughts Visualize: For me a a major visual image i saw was when Franklin was in Ireland; and he saw many people in poverty. "My eyes are open now, and I will remember this place. It is far more then an experience, another chapter in a long life of observation." (95) I believe Franklin going to Ireland opened his eyes up to how really important poverty is, and how it could be effective as well in the U.S.
Importance: In the beginning of the book in the first few chapters, its important to see that England wants the resources of America. This failed however, and the Americans rebelled. Therefore Americans rebelled and dumped the tea into the Boston Harbor. Creating more uprising and conflict.
Thinking like a Historian
Turning Points: A major turning point in the first few chapters of the book was; when the Sons of Liberty dumped the tea into the Boston Harbor. They were being taxed on something that they never had in the first place, so therefore they rebelled against it.
Change and Continuity: What has changed is that England is losing power due to the colonists rebelling against them. The effect is that because of this they are losing both people and power.
Judith Spear Reading Thoughts Big Idea: The first part of the book mainly talked about the changing relationship between England and the 13 colonies. During the beginning, many of the people were mostly satisfied with being under the rule of the king, until he began placing taxes and other laws and rules upon them. After time, the citizens of the colonies began to realize that England only saw them as resources that sent supplies and goods back to the Motherland, and they also realized that England did not think that they were able to make their own decisions and govern themselves. "It seems that in England, America is percieved as some quaint collection of backwoods settlements. It has been repeatedly decided that we are not yet competent, or worthy, or civilized enough to manage our own affairs"(106). At the end of the section, England and America had a very tense relationship because of the Boston Port Bill and the Boston Tea Party, leading up to the creating of the continental congress. Importance: What I believe to be the most important part of the section was the Boston Massacre. By the English soldiers killing American citizens, it broke the trust that the two countries had built. It also angered the Americans and it inspired them to start fighting back with England to get their own rights and also to get the soldiers out of their towns and homes. The Massacre also inspired the colonies to unite to fight England and the king to get freedom. "I recall the night...the aweful night I stood in front of the Custom House and saw the blood of our citizens spilled on the snow...If we do not unite, if we do not send a message to the king, to Parliment, to the royal governors of every colony, that we will not allow our rights and our laws to be trampled, then God help us, there will be more blood" (108). Thinking Like a Historian Turning Point: I think that a major turning point in the book was the tea being dumped into the Boston Harbor. It symbolized the American citizens rebelling against the tax on the tea, but also England as a whole. By dumping the tea, the Boston Post Bill came into place, and that caused a lot of fighting with England and also the uniting of the 13 colonies, which led to the war. Change and Coninuity: during this section of the book, England is beginning to lose it's hold on American due to the rebelling of the colonists. What remains the same is the colonist's drive to be free and to have their own rights and laws. The drive only grows stronger throughout the section. The American colonists are greatly benifiting from England slowly losings its hold on America because they are getting the chance to voice how they feel and also take action against the English. Meanwhile, the English are suffering because they see America as a resource, and if they lose their hold on them, they will have lost many great and valuable resources. Comment: Ashley, I agree with what you visualized when Ben Franklin took a trip to Ireland and saw all the poverty. When I read the part about that, I could also see how what Franklin saw opened up his eyes and helped him see the world a different way.
When Ben Franklin took the trip to Ireland and decided to spend some time touring, he took some time to explore the back roads of Ireland. His carriage driver, Mr. McCabe, a native Irishman who was abused by his boss, was reluctant to take him into the back country, where he knew the Irish farmers lived, driven into poverty by the hard hand of English rule. Franklin wanted to see and meet the people, anyway, so the driver took him. Franklin saw people living in mud houses, and when he asked the ashamed Mr. McCabe who the people were, he replied, “They’re Irish people, sir” (Rise to Rebellion 88). The way Jeff Shaara depicted this scene was a perfect representation of the Irish struggle under English reign, and reading it made the images stick in my mind so I’ll remember what King George did.
Big Idea/Generalizations
A main idea that can be drawn from Part 1 of Rise to Rebellion is that when half the people in a culture move a long distance, two different cultures will form. This started with the English and the Americans when some of the English moved to America and the English adopted the thirteen colonies. Presently, the United States and England are very different countries. Our languages are even spreading apart, morphing into American English and British English. Another example of this is the Hmong immigration to America. Since being separated from their homeland, Laos, they have had to adopt the American culture.
Through Their Eyes
It was the 18th century, so going to another country was not a comfortable 8-hour flight, it was a month-long journey by ship across the Atlantic. Everything was very slow, and therefore people had a lot of patience. Ben Franklin noted that he only received a letter from his wife every few months while she was living in America, whereas nowadays you can send an email there and get an almost immediate response. Because of all the conflict between England and America, the reaction times were greatly affected. Nowadays, because we have internet and television connecting everything, political conflicts will hit the news in minutes, while in the 18th century, political conflicts could take days, weeks, or months to become news, depending on how far away you lived.
Differing Perspectives
Out of the several perspectives in Part 1 of this book, so far I agree with Benjamin Franklin’s the most. He sees things in a logical matter that I can relate to. General Gage’s perspective got more un-relatable toward the end of Part 1; now I see him as almost a bad guy because of the way he regards people, and because now he is plainly on the King’s side. John Adams is a likeable character, but I hate how he spends so much time away from his family, because they should be the priority. I like how the book takes things from the bad guys’ perspective and makes the reader see their point of view, like the British soldier at the beginning, who is picked on by the snowball-throwing teenagers, and ex-Governor Hutchinson, whose house was burnt, his manuscript tramped, and his daughter threatened by the Sons of Liberty. These perspectives make me sympathize with some of the King George supporters and make me question how our American history books portray the American Revolution. I think that we make the British out to be all bad guys, when that’s probably not true.
Comment: Judith, I agree with you that the Boston Massacre was very important. I think it was also the best place for the book to start, and I was glad that it gave insight into the notion that the Boston Massacre could have been the Americans’ fault, not the Redcoats’, because it said the American teenagers started throwing snowballs at an innocent British officer performing his duty. People always think the Redcoats were being mean in the first place, but it was probably the Americans’ fault. I totally agree with you that the first murder broke the trust between the two countries and paved the way for future conflict.
There are so many fantastic comments! I don't know where to begin.
I am glad to see the reading skills being used while you work through the book. The goal is to be an active reader and that is exactly what a lot of you are doing. Also, the Thinking Like a Historian comments are fantastic. Being able to identify change and continuity, turning points, cause and effect, etc. is so very important if one wants to fully understand the past.
Thanks everyone and keep up the great work. I have enjoyed reading your blogs!
Questions- While Franklin was in Ireland, he took a tour through the country and saw the poverty there. Neither the colonies, nor Ireland had a voice in their government. They were only to serve their king. He wondered that if things didn't change, would the colonies turn into what Ireland had become. Franklin believed that, "Here you will find all the inspiration for rebellion you will need. But not the energy." (79) It makes me wonder that if we didn't have the leaders like Sam Adams and John Hancock, who pushed to part with England, would we have had to go through a part in history where we would've been much like Ireland, or would the government have treated us differently if we didn't have these "radicals"?
Importance "'It is proposed that the people,...do whatever in their power to prevent the tea on those ships from being landed on those shores. All in favor...' The hall erupted again,... nearly seven thousand voices coming together."(141) When Sam Adams proposed to dump the tea into the Boston Harbor, a large number of colonists agreed with him. When this happened, it was a sign of unity. The colonists were coming together as one, agreeing to rebel against England.
Through Their Eyes King George III was put in the position of having to pay the debt back from the Seven Years War. Though it may have seemed that the decision to put unfair taxes on the colonies was an easy fix, it didn't match up with the king's character. He was described as a caring man and had been taught to preserve his empire. His decision to tax the colonies left people thinking that he was an unfair ruler, therefore he was not preserving his empire because the colonies were rebelling against England. He was surrounded by people who were only out to serve themselves, and convinced the king to put these taxes on the colonies. So in King George III's eyes he avoided conflict between himself and his colleagues.
Cause and Effect With a heavy hand set on eliminating smuggling, the only ships that were allowed to deliver tea legally to the colonies were from England, thus increasing England's tax revenue. As a result the colonist would have been paying more for their tea, which angered them. Due to the colonists' anger, the Sons of Liberty dumped the tea into the Boston Harbor. Thus the Boston Tea Party. The colonists, who disagreed with the government in England, supported the Sons of Liberty and their actions. But the loyalists, disagreed with these actions. The colonists rebelling in the Boston Harbor was intentional, to show the king that the colonists were unhappy with his policies. However, the extent of the repercussions came as somewhat of a surprise to the colonists.
Comment Emily, I agree with you in your different perspectives section. General Gage and even Governor Hutchinsin began to play the villain in this book to me. I disagreed with their actions and found them to be a bit rude. And yes, the British probably weren't bad people. But at that time in history they may have been too unfair with the colonies.
Visualize: In the first part of the book, one scene stood out from the rest of being one I could play in my head. It was at the Boston Harbor, on December 16, 1773 and this famous event is known as the Boston Tea Party. I could feel the cool breeze on the night where the captain and crew members got some unexpected visitors on their ship. I could see the fright in their eyes while the men dressed as savages were coming aboard. One part in particular is when one of the "Indians" came up to Captain Hall and said, “No harm will come to you. Your men are not in danger, Captain"(p. 144). At that section in the scene I was in the captain’s shoes and could feel the man breathing in my face, which game me goose bumps. I could also imagine the dark shapes moving around and hear the soft, sharp whispers. I could even hear the splash of the tea and feel the adrenalin in all of the bodies. It was funny reading the captain’s reaction after he figured out what they were doing. To him it was comical. What a perfect scene!
Questions: Asking questions while reading is an important reading strategy everyone should do. While reading the first chapter about the Boston Massacre question came into my head. If a snowball started a whole massacre, to what extreme would the event be like if it happened today?
Reading like a Historian Using the Past: The very last sentence of the first part of the book says it all,"...somewhere in his mind, something no one in England thought they would ever hear: the sharp voices of thirteen colonies, coming together to speak as one"(p.192). This shows that in order to make a change everyone has to come together to make it happen. Even in the most difficult times in history (whether the past or future), no one person can do everything alone. We need to become one!
Through their eyes: Adams along with other knew that something needed to be done. We needed a government. Knowing this they were willing to risk everything to get away from British rules and taxes. They wanted something more then what they had and knew it was worth striving and working towards. They were willing to risk everything because there was nothing to lose.
Comment: Rachel, I agree with your importance section. The Boston Tea Party was the first event that brought the colonists together. It showed that many people did not agree what England was doing and they had the same thought in their heads: rebel. Lot of colonists supported the Sons of Liberty's idea of going against England. I also agree in your through their eyes section. King George III tried to avoid conflict. There was not anything the king could do to make everyone happy.
Question: While I was reading, I was thinking. How educated could the people really be on the goings on? How did they know they were getting straight facts? beause, as a previous blogger said, it could take weeks to months to get straight information from a news paper beause of the lack of technology. Wouldnt most of what they heard be "us and them" rumors depending on how far away they live from the area of importance?
Perspective: I've never really thought of the English soldier side, and even the first part of the first chapter is mostly from their perspective. Gage's life seemed almost relateable to anyone who has ever moved to a new place from their home town.
Turning Point: I think that one of the turning points of the entire revolution, or at least leading up to it, was the Boston Massacre. The unity of the American people is also shown rigt from the beginning when adams says "Not my concern? You have shot citizens. This will concern us all." (14)
Connections: I think that it was kind of ironic that Adam's said "There will not be revenge in botston"(24) when I knew that there eventually was going to be the Boston Tea Party.
Comment: I aggree with Jenny's visualize section, I thought that the Boston Tea Party was depicted very well. (:
Reading Thoughts- Visualize: Out of everything that was brought in the first part of the book, the Boston Tea Party was one of the most visual sections for me. "Hall saw them now, more then a dozen men, wrapped in blankets, faces blackened by soot or grease, odd headbands, some carrying tools, hatchets, iron spikes. He felt and icy stab in his chest, thought, There are no torches" (161). This description of the "Mohawks" really set the tone for the chapter. It allowed me to not only see the "Indians" dumping the tea into the harbor, but to hear there cries of joy as the tea splashed into the water.
Preview/Predict: One of the main themes the book starts out with is when Captain Preston being accused of ordering his men to fire in Boston against the towns people. However Preston insists he is innocent and hires John Adams to be his lawyer. Adams, Fighting against the majority, tells Preston, "The law still relies on truth, on proof of guilt. They cannot be convicted of murder if the court cannot prove to the jury that there was murder committed" (61). I predict that this concept of the law relying on truth will be a major part later on in the book as the colonies and England become further exasperated.
Reading Like A Historian- Turning Points: later on in the story, Franklin receives a letter from the People's Assembly of the colony of Massachusetts appointing him as there agent. This brings Franklin to Hillsborough's office where he is told by Hillsborough that he is not the agent because Governor Hutchinson would not give consent to the bill, which in the end proved to be false. I believe that this was a turning point because this was the first time Dr. Franklin ever had any true say in government matters.
Change and Continuity: Out of all thing "Change and Continuity" that I have noticed between present day America and back in the mid 1700's, one even brought up in the story stood out the most. While Franklin was taking a joy ride through the county side he came across a small village of Irish people. It was said that these people where "coming up from the earth itself" (87). What I found fascinating was the lack of knowledge Franklin had of the Irish people. His lack of knowledge is a good sign that no one payed any attention to proven struck societies like we do today. I believe we have changed tremendously in our attempts at helping less fortunate citizens, which is a big step in the right direction compared to where we where 300 years ago.
Comment: Just commenting on Taylor Hagenbuchers question, I completely agree. I also believe that this lack of globalization played a huge part in the Revolution. I seems to be a common theme that where ever there is trouble or conflict there is also misunderstanding and I believe that misunderstanding was one of the major factors leading up to the Revolution which could have been prevented through a more reliable source of communication.
Connection: To begin, Hugh White really made me connect to another period of time in history. When he was assigned as the guard in front of the Custom House it not only explained how awful the weather conditions were but how uncomfortable Hugh really was. The book stated,"He moved as much as the cramped space would allow, touched the walls on three sides of him, felt the rough cold wood." (4) This section made me connect to the time of the Holocaust when the "Jews" would be sleeping basically on top of people in very unbearable places.
Visualize: In addition to the first reading thought I had I also used another reading thought of visualization on page 12 when Hugh was in a hard situation. He was holding the musket up to the man's face, an innocent man's face, and I felt like I was right there watching the calmness that came across the man when he slowly walked up to Hugh White. I personally didn't believe that he was looking to start any trouble but the rush of anger that was boiling out of Hugh wasn't going to be stopped. The picture of the man getting more and more scared kept coming out. I knew Hugh was going to pull the trigger but once it did happen I managed to have a sense of shock. I can't imagine looking someone in the eyes and killing them when they were going to cause no harm to myself.
Change and Continuity: I knew that the Boston Massacre would spread like wild fire. It is funny how nothing has changed from that time to now days. When something happens in our world we know within a few minutes because of our advanced technology but we don't know what the truth really is just like how a lot of the people were hearing false statements about both sides of the party, the soldiers and the citizens. It's like when you were little and you would play that game of telephone and by the end of the game of course the story was changed. People don't listen or they change the story for the better of themselves. Therefore, people and their mouths really haven't changed much but how we hear the news it changing every second of the day.
Turning Point: On page 62 when it was dealing with the outcome of the soldiers there was a huge turning point for the couple of men that would receive the brand on one hand like the book stated, "a symbol of guilt they would carry for the rest of their lives." This to me is a turning point because since their past decisions of shooting the mob on the street was against the law they then had to deal with the consequences, the pain, and the remembrance of that day. Every single time they look at their hand it won't ever be forgotten because of the actions they took.
Comment: After reading Matthew Selting's blog I completely agree with your prediction. The truth seems to be slowly slipping away in the eyes of the people during this time. Taking that truth and relying on it will hopefully bring the colonies to speak as one.
Importance- A large idea in part 1 is that England wanted to heavily tax everything that was coming into America. England's reason for all the taxes is that America should pay for the protection that England is giving them. America didn't think that England was really protecting them and that the taxes were not needed. America took stand to show their disagreement toward the taxes by having the Boston Tea Party.
Visualize- One of the many things that I visualized in part 1 is on page 62. It is when Franklin was appointed as the agent of the People's Assembly of the colony of Massachusetts. He was in a carriage on his way to see Lord Hillsborough. He was trying to focus on his meeting but couldn't because of all the bumps in the road. He was being randomly jerked around his seat and couldn't focus. I see where he is coming from because sometimes when you are focusing, every noise or movement puts you off. "He tried to keep his focus away from the terrible road..(62)"
Turning Points- One big turning point was the Boston Tea Party when the tea was dumped into the Boston Harbor. The Colonies dumped the tea as an opposition to the taxes. That action put England and America on edge with each other, and they both knew that war was the only way to end the dispute. The rebellious actions of the colonies brought in more English troops.
Change & Continuity- England's power over the colonies has weakened because of America's rebel to pay the taxes. America is benefiting because they are getting stronger and feel like they can beat England. England is losing power because the colonies aren't listening to them and are losing money and resources.
Comment- Kallie, your visualization makes it seem like you are right there watching Hugh hold a gun to the man. I would feel the same way if I was looking into someones eyes right before I killed them.
Reading Thoughts Evaluation – I thought the Boston Tea Party was interesting compelling in many ways, and seeing it unfold from the point of view of the captain only added to that. To me, the most interesting part of the scene was when the sailor came up to the captain and asked if the captain knew who the men were. The captain could have easily told the truth that he knew exactly who they were, but instead, he chose not to. The Boston Tea Party was a significant event in the long chain of things leading up to the American Revolution. When the Indians left and the captain was left alone, he thought about the Indians mission. It wasn’t to destroy the ship or steal anything; it was simply to make a point. The captain noticed that as a significant step toward a revolution, but I don’t think the British ever fully embraced that. All they seemed to do was look for someone to punish, but they didn’t really see what the captain, and American rebels, had seen.
Questions – Through the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, and the British brutality, Franklin’s visit to Ireland was, in my opinion, one of the most impelling scenes. Seeing the poverty and the people who were basically slaves to the British, I thought, had the loyalists and people like Dickinson prevailed, would that have been America, too? The Irish missed their opportunity for rebellion, what if we had? Also, later, as the book went on, I kept wondering why Franklin never used what he had seen as propaganda. While he was riding through the countryside, he described the thoughts and phrases flowing through his mind, but he never used that to fuel the fire in America.
Reading Like a Historian Cause and Effect – Undeniably one of the most significant events leading up to the American Revolution was the Boston Massacre. Sam Adams used the killing of five colonists to gain enormous support for the rebellion. He called it a “massacre,” an exaggerated title to give other colonists the image of a mass-killing, adding to the effectiveness of the newspaper articles read across the colonies and in Britain. John Adams rejected Sam’s enthusiasm as radical and clumsy, but I don’t think he could argue the energetic response for a rebellion.
Using the Past – At the end of chapter four, as Franklin is considering the growing conflict, he thinks about what Britain has done to lead to this rebellion, allowing the colonies to grow strong, building culture and finding their identity, and he decides that the British cannot do whatever they please with the colonies, concluding, “You may have the power. But you do not have the right.” I read that quote and it made me think of America now. Last year in history, we had a discussion about how much America should do to reform and influence other countries. We talked about how America needed to find a balance and listen to people from other countries, because we can’t assume that what is best for us is right for everyone. This quote and the general message of Franklin’s thoughts can relate directly to that. Instead of Britain, America is the most powerful country, and we should take what Britain did to America and learn from the mistakes.
Comments Jon, I agree that much of Part One was about the taxes and their use as propaganda, including the Boston Tea Party which was really a conclusion to the colonists’ opposition of any sort of British tax. There are many sections, throughout this book that make you feel as if you are actually there, and this is one of those sections. I agree that the Boston Tea Party really forced the British to act out in an attempt to control the colonies, and the British viewed war as the only way to settle the colonists’ rebellion. I hadn’t really thought about it in that way, but it is very true. The American’s felt like they could actually do something to hurt the British and their king, which empowered them to do more.
Evaluation: This first section showed me how off I was about how the American Revolution actually started. I had always thought the colonists rebelled because of all England's laws and acts. In previous history classes when we learned about them they always seemed so extreme and unfair; on the contrary this section shows that not only were the laws and acts fairly reasonable, but it was the colonists who had actually acted out first. I also thought that the author, Jeff Shaara, would be biased against either the colonies or the English. However, he did a great job remaining neutral. I enjoyed how he showed perspectives of both parties and gave a great understanding of the characters thoughts throughout the book.
Visualize: I thoroughly enjoyed the authors writing style and voice throughout this section. From the very beginning images were clearly formed in my head, making it easier and more exciting to read. I could vividly picture each characters face uniquely as it was. Also, the writing style of the author combined with previous pictures from the American Revolution found in history books made it was easy to picture each event as if it were a movie playing in my head.
Turning Points: I saw John Adam's becoming part of the Sons of Liberty as personal turning point. Before the incident with the Gaspee ship he seemed almost content with living under the kings rule as long as there was peace. Once he realized the king would take away the colonists judicial system, which was very important to him, just to have someone to blame, he knew he could not stand for that. That night he became part of the Sons of Liberty.
Differing Perspectives: There are many differing perspectives in this section from characters such as American citizens, an English general, and Ben Franklin. Also, the differing sides showed many different perspectives. The colonist thought of the British as impeding on them when all they wanted was to get away from the British rule. The British owned the colonies and were just tying to maintain control and order and work their way back from the financial expenses of the French and Indian war by imposing taxes. Out of all the perspectives I have to say I agree most with John Adams perspective because he isn't biased. He thinks about what is right and just where everyone else wanted things their way and didn't consider others wants/needs.
Comment: Rachel, I agree with your cause and effect section. The Boston Massacre was definitely a very significant event leading to the American revolution. I also found your using the past part very interesting. The way you took that quote and related it was really interesting because I had never thought of it like that.
Connections: I had background knowledge on the topic of the Revolution that I had learned in previous years of study in school. In particular, I knew information about John Adams. I knew about his involvement in defending Preston in the trials regarding the Boston Massacre. In defending and winning the case, his loyality to the patriot cause was questioned. I also knew that he and his wife Abigal communicated through letters. Later on she would tell him through one of their letters regarding politics to "Remember the Ladies."
Evaluation: The author does not show a lot of bias in the writing, which suprized me. Shaara wrote through different perspectives, both Patriot and British, throughout the section. The book explains quite thourougly what led to major events, such as the Boston Tea Party, the Boston Massacre and the Boston Port Bill, and how these actions effected the colony of Massachusettes. The colony's citizens lost its right to hold town meetings. Governer Hutchinsion was removed from his post & replaced by Gage. And, most importantly in my opinion, troops were sent in to heavily watch the colonists.
Change and Continuity: The colony of Massachussettes changed their leadership from a Royal Governer to a military leader, which imposed a larger threat to the colony. The Boston Port Bill was enforced by Gage, which severly limited the citizens' rights. Nothing had exactly remained the same at this point in the novel, due to the dramatic changes made throughout the section. The fret the author's characters experience in this section reflects the chaotic time they are about to enter. Currently, the King & his loyalists are benefiting from the new rules and soldiers imposed upon Boston by the King. They are hoping through a change in leadership as well as deploying these troops to keep the Sons of Liberty under control. The Sons of Liberty do not benefit from these changes at all. They lost their town meetings, which is the only place that they were publicly expressing their views at this point. All citizens of Boston were expected to be willing to quarter troops in their homes, which was something not many wanted to do.
Through their eyes: Through the eyes of the Sons of Liberty, their world is turning upside down. They are losing all of the freedoms that they previously had, and the King was not willing to negociate with the citizens or to understand any of the rights that they are asking for. From the view of the king and his associates, everything is finally going back to normal. They have finally taken control of Boston and its radicals and showing them who is in charge.
Comment: Jenna, I agree with your Turning Points seciton of your blog. When John Adams became a Son of Liberty, it added a legal perspective as well as a level head to the group, which will help them later on in forming a government.
Visualize: In the first section of the book, the author did an outstanding job of helping the reader visualize the characters. I really got a good idea about who each of the characters were and their personalities. I especially enjoyed Benjamin Franklin. I believe Jeff Shaara did the best at portraying his character. Along with making it easy to visualize each character, the writing style of the author made the book fun and exciting to read.
Evaluation: Throughout the entire first section, Shaara wasn't bias at all. This helped make the book more clear so I could see both sides of the issue and make an opinion for myself on the topic. He also did an outstanding job of researching what caused the American Revolution. Everything that he had talked about and explained in the first section went along with what we had previously been taught in prior classes.
Through Their Eyes: Benjamin Franklin had a positive outlook on things in the past. The book portrayed him as being an upbeat, witty man. Because of this, he always saw both sides of the problems with the American Revolution. Also, it seemed as if he was a kind man. When he was in Ireland and he saw all of the Irish in the mud homes he thought of the slaves in America. Franklin didn't believe slavery was right and his positive attitude helped him with this conclusion.
Turning Points: I believe that a huge turning point in the Revolution was the Boston Tea Party. After that had happened, the British and the Americans really had no other choice but to go to war. The Americans had been taxed and they were ready to fight for their own freedom. The Boston Tea party to me, was really what initiated the war.
Comment: Anna, I agree with your 'Through Their Eyes' section. The King wasn't willing to negotiate anything and this angered the Americans. They wanted their freedom which built up more anger before the revolution.
Visualize: The visual image in chapter 8 when Benjiman Franklin goes to Dublin, was amazing. When he visits the countryside he sees that most people live in poverty, and realizes how important it is. "Franklin had seen the same sobering sights, people who owned nothing, who barely survived on a diet of potatoes and buttermilk, whose lives were played out in the cold despair." I believe that at this point Franklin starts to understand how the people suffer and feels heir pain.
Questions Many questions rose, but this one bugged me; In the first section England wanted Americas resources, but the Americans rebelled, then England proposed numerous taxes on the Americans. I found this interesting that if they wanted american items why tax them?
Through their eyes: The Sons of Liberty did what they did because their rights were being taken away from them.The sons of liberty was formed to protect the rights of the colonists, just watching Britain do what they want with the Americans' dignity and pride is against everything they believed in. Because the sons of liberty thought that King George III was being unfair with taxing, they thought i necessary to act, leading to the Boston tea party, so i believe that there actions were necessary for their situation.
cause and effect: Britain was being unfair with taxes, so Americans took action and rebelled against what the thought was wrong. When King George III thought Americans were getting too much power, he started putting tax on unreasonable items, which made the sons of liberty rebel and take action.
Comment: Makayla I agree with your 'Turning point' statements on how they didn't really have a choice but to fight for what they believed was right. I also agreed with your visualizing on Benjamin Franklin and how his character really shined in the book, and came to life.:)
Question: In the beginning stages of this book there were many developing problems that the colonies had with King George's new laws. Whether it was issues with taxes or soldiers in the home a general outcry came from the people; this is what led me to my question: why, after so many instances of grievance among the people, did Britain find the rebellion so startling?
Generalizaton: It seems that the rebellion, American Revolution, was another example of something rising up at its finest when pinned in a corner.
My question was sparked when I read Elizabeth's blog and noticed that she commented on how suprised the British were about the rebellion. It hadn't crossed my mind at that point, but immediately I was thinking obviously they were going to rebel when the had an issue with every new law put into place. Thanks Elizabeth
Jared Pankow.. totally forgot about the reading like a historian section.
I felt that Jeff Shaara did a phenomal job portraying the two sides of the situation between the colonists and those still in England. From the colonists point of view they were British citizens that should share equal laws and priveleges as those in Britain, which obvsiouly was being abused. He also made it clear on what King George and the general public in Britain was thinking: the colonists get the oppurtunity to explore new land and gather a vast amount of resources for there country. The objective of a colony is that alone. King George new that, and made his decisions solely on whether they would help in that cause.
Connections: The scene that brought me to connect to everyday life was the trial of Captain Thomas Preston. As he was being tried, a man named Palmes was questioned and we found out a rather significant chunk of information regarding him through his testimony. (58) "... I do not care a bit whether Captain Preston goes free or not. I have friends in this town- in this room, in fact, sir- who know my political leanings... "I consider myself, sir, a... Son of Liberty." By Palmes openly admitting this, we realize that in the courtroom, under oath people are willing to speak for their stands in politics, regardless of if it could prosecute the innocent! They say that many of his friends would rejoice if Preston was found guilty... When we hear the truth about him, Preston is saved in a way due to the fact that this Palmes is considered a 'Son of Liberty.'
Importance: The revolution ultimately originated from heavy taxes from England. Part One shows the huge build up into revolution. We see that the Colonists are aggravated because the taxes were supposed to be used for the protection of the colonists, and they believed they were not getting the protection they deserved in any form at all! These actions of taxing brought upon the Boston Tea Party, which cause an enormous uproar.
Reading Like a Historian:
Turning Points: As many others already stated, the Boston Tea Party was a very significant turning point, leading up to the revolution. It was brought upon England due to the heavy taxes they had put on tea, and other imports. The colonists were furious and this was one of their actions. When all of the existing thirteen colonies began to come together after this it made this revolution even more of a future concern.
Cause and Effect: We often discuss in our history classes that the Boston Massacre wasn't harmful, and it only had a limited importance. However, in reading the beginning part of the book I believe it has a huge importance. After the cause, Boston Massacre, occuring we see the effect of the colonists opposing England even more than previously. This Massacre shows us how much the colonies were already going against the English and how a war was bound to occur sooner than later.
Comment: Going back to Kallie's blog, I agree with your Change and Continuity section. You are so right, in that technology has changed everything these days. You will hear a story from a primary source, but as it goes down the line it will no longer be factual. The truth about who yelled fire in the Massacre was unknown, but people spread that it was Thomas Preston, putting him into a bad situaton.
Importance: For me an extremely important part of the book was the colonists handling of the trials that followed the Boston Massacre. When John Adams said "The law will guide us, the law will prevail" (24), it made me realize how important it was that the colonists didn't immediately condemn Captain Preston out of anger, and instead gave him a fair trail that proved him innocent. Even Sam Adams said, "We are a civilized people. And all the other colonies will respect that. They will support us" (23). It was very important how the colonies and especially the sons of liberty handled this first huge spark in the revolution, and showed England that they were a "civilized" people.
Evaluation: I thought that Jeff Shaara did an excellent job of not having a bias throughout the first part of the book. When he switches between characters like Gage and Sam Adams, you really understand where each side, Tory or Son of Liberty, is coming from and the differences between them. For example, when Gage shared his opinion of The Sons of Liberty with Hutchinson, he states, "they want the protection of His Majesty's army...but they aren't willing to pay for it" (31), you could really understand why Gage would feel that way being in the position that hes in. It seems like Jeff Shaara put a lot of thought and effort into what each character would say and think during the beginnings of the revolution.
READING LIKE A HISTORIAN
Change and Continuity: Something that reminded me of an issue today was when the sons of liberty encouraged the people of the colonies to buy locally, to lessen their dependence on British made goods. This same issue is here today when some people say that it is not good that we import many of our manufactured goods from overseas. The author states that in the colonies, "The voices were loud, imploring the people to "buy American" (80). This same issue is still present today, where we are still encouraged to "buy American" goods.
Through Their Eyes: During the American Revolution, it must have been an extremely difficult time for the people in the colonies emotionally. Friends and relatives must have been torn apart because of their political alliances to either England or the Sons of Liberty. To me this was obvious between Benjamin Franklin and his friend Strahan, who was close to the kings inner circle and a friend of Franklin for thirty years. Franklin states that, "he felt a strain, their relationship infected with this sudden formality whenever politics came up" (69). This "strain on relationships" probably happened all over the colonies between friends and relatives with different politics.
Comment: I totally agree with Anna about Palmes testimony in court. I thought it was very brave when he admitted to being a Son of Liberty under oath, but then also testified that he believed Preston was innocent. He showed honesty that may have changed the outcome of the trial
Importance: Key ideas in this first section of the book mainly seem to be based upon the fairness, or unfairness rather, of how the colonists are being treated and pushed around by the Englishmen and King George. For example, after speaking with Samuel Johnson, Franklin thinks to himself, "We are not some primitive people who must accept your power, who have no choice but to kneel to your superiority. You have allowed us to grow strong, build our own culture, to find our own identity and our own way in the world. You cannot suddenly decide to tax us, exploit us, drain our resources. You cannot do with us as you please. With your vast army and your great navy, you may have the power. But you do not have the right" (p. 42). Here Franklin explains that if the colonists are to be treated as different and less superior, they may as well be their won nation and rule themselves - it is simply fair.
Preview/Predict:
I predicted that when the mysterious man came to nervously deliver the letters to Franklin, that he would get caught. Most people never get away with things they are uneasy about because they know it's wrong. Later, I found out that the mysterious man turns out to be Mr. Temple, who is now being ridiculed by not only the newspapers, but by the colonists as well. Franklin comes to his rescue when he admits that is is his fault and his fault only, leaving Temple off the hook.
Reading Like a Historian
Through Their Eyes: The people in the past, specifically the colonists, view their world and their lives as unfair thanks to the Englishmen and the King. Samuel Johnson explains to Franklin that the Englishmen think that the mobs and acts of violence from the colonists are because "...we expect them to behave like Englishmen. That's a problem. Their safety is protected by the guns of Englishmen, their economy is sustained by the goods and currency of Englishmen, their behavior is governed by English law. But they're not Englishmen. They're colonists" (pg. 39). Whereas John Adams explains to his fellow colonists at the town meeting, "'It seems that in England, America is perceived as some quaint collection of backwoods settlements. It has been repeatedly decided that we are not yet competent, or worthy, or civilized enough to manage our own affairs. This time, our stern father has decided to remove our privilege of punishing our own criminals. Apparently we are not to be trusted. And further, we are not supposed to protest'" (pg. 94). Each side has their own apparent reason for why the colonists are upset, and the colonists show their frustration through their actions of violence and choices that are made through anger.
Turning Points: One turning point was the Boston Massacre. This is considered a turning point because it's mainly the first time the colonists really got violent with the soldiers and the English. Past decisions of the Englishmen and of the King like the taxes on papers and tea, explain the frustration and therefore violent acts of the colonists that occur. This action known as the Boston Massacre shows that the colonists have had enough and are no longer going to sit around and endure the punishments, but instead, are going to go the distance to make things fair and just between them.
Comment: I agree with Zach on the fact that the author, Jeff Shaara, wasn't really biased at all. He showed both sides of the story, colonists versus Englishmen, really well and must have done a lot of research in order to do so. From chapter to chapter, the values and thoughts of each side aren't intertwined, but rather separated, making the book much more interesting and closer to reality.
Big idea: Throughout the first section many members of the british parliament refuse to see the bigger picture of what messages they were sending with each repeal of a act or a law. The Townshend acts were full of flaws but they should not have simply gotten rid of them but revived them so that they would have shown the colonies that they excepted their opinion and revised it because of their input.
Evaluation: The author has a bias that favors the colonists. Throughout the entire first section, in a way, he makes fun of the british parliament for enacting laws and then slacking to enforce them. It seems when he writes throught the eyes of any British members of the book he shows their lack of confidence in their own country.
Through their eyes: Through the eyes of the colonists in Boston and Massachusetts the world was very uncertain except for one thing, they didn't like being left in the dark while someone blindly decides what is best for the colony. So obviously their disagreement with their representation led them to build together "the Sons of Liberty."
Importance: A key idea in the first section was the colonists lack of freedom and how unfair it was that the English were forcing them to conform to their ideas rather than their own. One section says "For more than a hundred years, we've been allowed to grow strong, prosperous, with few restrictions, few harsh laws. We have our own identity. So now in England there is fear. We're too strong, too prosperous, too... independent."(pg. 45) This tells us that they have developed their own culture, but are beginning to be forced to conform to the English culture.
Big Idea/Generalizations: On page 45 it says "But in all of God's creation change is the only certainty." As the paragraph goes on he talks about the season changing and the plants and wildlife. But if you look at the bigger picture that message applies to everything in life. It also might predict that there will be a big change in the future of the book.
Reading Like a Historian Using The Past: On page 19 Sam and Adams are talking about the recent violence that has occured. In this passage Sam talks a lot about how the English people's memory is regrettably short. He also talks about how after each abuse they try to force on the colonists such as the Sugar Tax and the Stamp Act they make so much noise about it that they back down. The English people should learn from the past that the colonists don't like to be pushed around.
Comments: I agree with Mitchell's "Through their eyes". The colonists only wanted that one thing and they didn't think about anyone else's point of view. This hatred for not having complete freedom is what would eventually build until the only thing left to do was to fight back.
Visualize Once I started reading the book, I was able to make many pictures in my mind of what was going on, because of how good the author described the events. My favorite part was when Franklin was walking around his room counting his steps as if he was walking to go visit Lord and Lady Barwell. Because of the poor weather he then deceided to postpone the visit and take the walk in his room. It was very easy for me to see this old man walking circles in his room and when Mrs. Stevenson came to his room to see what he was doing, I could visualize the anger on her face. Then when he explained what he was doing, I could hear and see her laughing at his craziness.
Big Idea/Generalization They main idea of this section is how different the people of colonies are compared to the king or the loyalists. From the beginning they had different views on the taxes and the laws. The two groups of people have two different cultures now and they are not going to get along.
Thinking Like a Historian
Through Their Eyes From the colonists view point, such and the Sons of Liberty, life was unfair and hard at times. They felt like they didn't have any freedom, and they wanted change. They didn't agree with the King on the laws that were being passed which made their life difficult.
Turning Points I thought that the main turning point was The Boston Port Bill, which ordered the port of Boston to be closed. This meant that there was no trade because there were to be no ships entering or leaving. This brought the colonies together. On page 209 Shaara writes, " these were loud symbolic ceremonies where the Port Bill was shredded...the boundaries were coming down, and the people who maintained the pride of their uniqueness began to look outward and hear the words of their neighbors...There was a reason to become united. The alarm had been sounded. They had a cause." This shows that the people were finally coming together to fight the King.
Comments: I agree with Alexa when she said that the Big Idea/Generalization was that there was a lot of change, such as how the colonist veiwed the King.
Reading Thoughts- Vocabulary: As I was reading, I came across the word ‘overwrought’, on page 105, and I had no idea what it meant. After looking it up, it found out that it means a state of nervous excitement or anxiety.
Visualization: One part I could easily visualize is in the beginning of chapter 14, when Adams and the other five men step into the warm office after being outside in the cold. “The men swarmed into the warmth of the office, a hot fire boiling in a large hearth at one end of the room. Warren and the others stepped that way, warming hands, scarves unwrapping, and Adams followed Sam forward, to the doorway that led to the back offices. They were met suddenly by a thin frail figure, all lace and curls, and the young man stared at Sam as if struck by some odd shock.” (Pg. 129) I could just imagine how nice that fire would feel after stepping inside from the cold. And I could just feel the young mans eyes on me, as if I were Sam.
Reading like a historian- Change and Continuity: The thing that has changed is that the colonists decided to rebel against England. I think the colonists are the ones that benefit from this change, only because England is losing a lot of valuable things, and if they completely lose the rebellion then they pretty much lose everything.
Turning points: Even though it was a key event in the growth of the American Revolution, I think was the Boston Tea Party was one big turning point. As a result of the tea tax, the colonies refused to buy the British tea. And because the colonists tried to put taxes on America’s imports and exports, it was like English was asking for the rebellion to happen.
Comment: I’m with Keri on her visualization. I could picture everything as if it was a movie in my head!
Visualization: The boston tea party is a scene that can always be easily pictured in someones mind. when kids learn about American history in elementary school they often act out the boston tea party. because i am so familiar with this scene it is very easy to imagine in my head.
Turning points: The boston tea party was also a very important turning point in the american revolution. this was so important becuase when the Americans refused to purchase the tea, and instead dump it out. This event was major, because it showed King George that the new colonies wanted to be on their own and that they are rebelious, hence, rise to rebellion. this isn't so much a physical rebellion, but instead a moral action that shows that americans want to be on their own.
Differing Views- The british thought that the colonies were going to be a scrambling mess of people trying to control new land, and that they were going to need the british in order to get things going. However, the colonists new that they could join together and make have a full functioning America!
visualize I was really interested in the Ben Franklin parts in the book and the revolution. I have always liked him and his work but what I learned while reading is that he lived in england while the prelude to the revolution was going on. Also I can see how he had a big part in starting the revolution when he got Hutchinson's letters and sent them to Adams.
Connection I found that the mindset of General Gage seems to be like that of people with power today. He sees the good things he does but not negatives of people that are below him.
Turning point I think the major breaking point that told us there would be a revolution was the Boston Tea Party. Because if the colonists wouldn't of done that then the king wouldn't of sent more troops over to the colonies and taken away their rights.
Through their eyes I can see that when the Gysee was destroyed it really helped the colonists, In a way of giving them confidence that they could fight for themselves against the English.
Comment I agree with Khalia about the visualizeation. i can remember acting out the play in elementry school and seeing different things about it on tv. It was a very good connection to help understand what went on durring the time period.
Importance: John Adams has his priorities set all through the book. During the uprising he wants to set things right for the arranged bloodshed that Sam set up. He takes sides with Quincy in helping the officer that was there at the shooting. He and Quincy team up to fight in court.
Connections: John reminds me of main character in the movies that have a family. During the bloodshed he tries to convince his wife to go and hide with his soon to be born son in fear they may get hurt. Most main characters in the movies do this aswell and the wife for the most part always chooses to stay and the man protects them. Usually getting hurt in the prosses but it all works out in the end.
Thinking like a historian
Through their eyes: Living in this time period was probably very hard on the people. We as of now are not used to seeing war our home turf. This was very emotionally scarring on the people that lived there. Families were most likely split apart due to conflicting politial views.
Turning point:
The Boston Port Bill was in my eyes the greatest turning point. This meant that England could no longer import things. The people had no choice but to band togeather and provide for themselves. This also meant that England was just hit with a major finacial blow.
Comment: I agree with Cory in saying that the Boston Tea party was a great turning point due to it showing that the people could accually come togeather and fight as one and prove their not afraid anymore.
Jenni Geurink
ReplyDeleteReading Thoughts:
Importance: A key passage from part one of this story occurs on page 188. "The alarm had been sounded. They had a cause." John Adams admits that the patriots had finally found a cause that was worthy enough to fight for. This is important because it showcased the moment when the upcoming war wasn't just thought anymore, it was bound to happen. The injustice that they had faced was going to be rationalized, they were truly passionate about their fate, whichever way it would go.
Evaluation: An interesting concept was the portrayal of King George lll. In the research I had done prior, I had always thought that the King was just an arrogant tyrant. I never looked into the fact that I might have been bias regarding the subject. When the book described King George as "... a decent, caring man...", I was a bit confused (page ix). This just doesn't fit the theory I have of what this monarch would be like. It contradicted what I already knew quite a bit, but then again I didn't really know all that much about him. The author could have been a bit biased himself considering almost any American is.
Reading Like a Historian:
Differing Perspectives: The whole revolutionary war was based on differing perspectives. The Americans believed that they would prosper without England's guidance; however, the English thought that the Americans were too "childish" to be left alone and needed a "firm" hand. Neither side understood the other or even bothered to try. They both kept to their arrogant selves and pride. Obviously, I would agree with the Americans, but I do see somewhat of a point with the English. If both sides would have agreed to look into each others views, the revolution most likely would have gone more peacefully than it did. But the strong voices of both sides were tremendously necessary.
Turning Points: I think that the Boston Tea Party was a major turning point in the cause of the war. Once the patriots dumped the tea, there was no going back. There was simply no chance at a peaceful agreement after that. That decision put America and England on the path for a single choice: war. All of the taxing (without representation) really narrowed England's choices from the beginning. They were picking a fight with a America by eliminating their freedoms.
Excellent starting blog Jenny! Some great insights about King George and the concept of author bias. Also good use of the TLH perspectives and Turning pts. Well done!
ReplyDeleteAlexis Abrego
ReplyDeleteReading Thoughts:
Big Idea: The first reading thought I had was the reoccuring pattern of the relationship between the English government and the colonies. The pattern is this: the colonies have a self reliency and want to be involved in decisions in England, but they are always being pushed away from the "superior" English because they are simply "colonists". The government begins to make poor decisions and began making large decisions about taxing and such then the colonists begin to grumble and act out against the government. Then the government realizes the mistake and repeals the law or act, anf then the process starts all over. This pattern though follows a downward spiral; each time it gets worse till a breaking point must occur.
Connections: The next though I had was about the connections between the American Revolution and the French Revolution. In the French cities people were starving and began to unify and take down the nonlistening government; the same was with the Boston Port Act. The English created a punishment to remove trade and any form of colonistic justice. Instead of the expected groveling of the city the colonists from around the area joined togetherand began more serious measures.
Thinking Like A Historian:
Differing Perspectives: The first THL concept I'd like to touch on was differing perspectives. The English and the colonists both saw the colonies in different ways. The colonists had learned to take care of themselves and resented being forced to listen to a government across an ocean that didn't let them have a say. The English however thought very differently. They saw the colonists as immature, rowdy, and incapable of making decisions about governing themselves. This carelessness and neglagence was the cornerstone of the colonists long list of comlaints.
Turning Points: As a result of the Boston Tea Party the Boston Port Act removed all local government from Boston. This final straw for the people of Boston was a turning point in the fact that England was removing all sense of self-government form the colonists. This angered them so and all the other colonies enough that they gathered to create the First Continental Congress the first unification of the colonies.
Comment:
Me and Jenni were very much on the same page for this part of the book. I too saw a large difference in my image of King George. I very much like this book's portrayal of both sides of the story. I feel both a sympathy for the colonies and the English, like General Gage and Major Pitcairn which is very different from other books I have read where the English seem like heartless fools.
Tou Vang
ReplyDeleteVisualize:
A great part that I could easily visualize was when Ben Franklin went to Ireland. His little trip off road showed how compassionate he was. He saw through England's illusion and saw the future of America, if it had stayed with England. As he was passing by the hills he thought nothing of it, until McCabe had told him those where the homes of the persecuted Irish people. As the book described, "The people were staring at hi, grim dirty faces, and there was none of the welcome, the kind hospitality he had become accustomed to.... more of the strange awful homes, more dark stares as people stopped to watch the carriage pass by. He forgot about waving, understood now there was no friendly greeting in these people, no joy in their existence. He felt sick; he had never expected to see anything like this, such a beautiful land, but such poverty in the people." (87,88). He later compares this treatment to slavery, saying it is unjust and is morally wrong.
Importance:
From this first section of the book it is clear that England wants to take advantage of America's resources. It does not go into specifics about the taxes, but it does mention the various taxes that England tried to impose into America. Anther example that was symbolic in the book was when Franklin was called for a hearing due to the letters that Adams had printed and published. It described the speakers as abusive towards Franklin. Franklin had seen this as an act to humiliate him and saying " So Wedderburn will provide the great show, the entertainment for this extraordinary audience."(172)As the hearing goes on he people are on Franklin's side having heard enough of Wedderburn's abuse.
Through Their Eyes:
The first event that took place in this book was the Boston Massacre. I previously thought that the soldiers had started the fight, but in this book it had described the soldiers only defending themselves from the locals. The soldiers did not want to cause a scene so he nothing until they started physically attacking and and taunting him.
Turning points:
By England introducing cheaper tea to the colonies, they had provoked the Sons of Liberty to go into action. They dumped all the tea into the harbor. By doing this they angered the king and thus the destroyed their sense of government. This act of rebellion also caused there to be more soldiers to be in Massachusetts. This event cause the colonies to have a meeting and thus helping in the formation of America and the separation of America and Britain.
Comment:
I think Alexis has hit the Big idea spot on. The colonies want to be have a say in their economy but the English think they are not ready. Britain is still trying to pay off their war dept so they use an unwilling source. This causes conflicts with the colonist and they fight for the oppression to stop.
Elizabeth Wasniewski
ReplyDeleteReading thoughts:
Importance-Right for the beginning of the book you see how England wants America's reasources. They tired to get this from taxing the Americans but it failed. Because of the strong actions from England of trying to be taxed the Americans rebelled with dressing up and dumping the tea into the Boston harbor. With all this uprise the story of the shooting and also the dumping of the tea gets to Gage in America. He ends up going to governor Hutchinson to try to convince him to move the troops from Birtian before the court day of captain preston. ".....Hutchinson, who said I am prepared to do whatever is necessary to protect Captain Preston and his men" (31). This shows that he won't intentionally let his men down.
Visualize:
It was easy to visualize being there with Franklin when he would talk about his family and just how lonely his was.(pages 36-38) He loved his children very much and wanted to best for them and in his eyes that was sending them to England for there upper education. Once they reached the age he would send them away knowing he would see them again soon. But even with his love towards his wife they were apart a lot. "...Franklin continued to hope that his wife,Deborah, would someday overcome her deep fear of the sea and make the journey to England with him" (36). He had is lonely times when he would lay in bed or just sit around imagining what he would be talking about with his wife if she was there with him.
Reading like a historian:
Turning points: I think one of the major turning points was because of the boston tea party. Because of trying to tax so the inports and exports on America the English pretty much asked for them to rebell. America didn't want to have someone trying to controll them they wanted to be free and take care of themselves.
Cause and Effect:
Because of England getting greedy and wanting to take over America's resources they were pretty much prevoking the Americans to rebel in someway. The Americans wanted change to happen they wanted to prove they could handle themselves. I think that it was intended to make America mad enough that they will just give in and give there resources up but I think that it was accidendal that they made them mad enough to dump the tea into the harbor.
Comments:
I disagree with Tou on his "through their eyes" the soldiers were there to do want they came to do, protect the custom house along with any other orders they got. The citizens were walking around and pretty much teasing them and eventually tempting them to fight back like when they started throwing snowballs with ice chucks in them.
Melanie Xiong
ReplyDeleteReading Thoughts
Importance:
After reading part one of the book I found that there was more than one event that triggered the rebellion. There was the taxes, the Boston Massacre, the Town Meetings, the Sons of Liberty, the letters, and the Boston Tea Party. These were some important events that took place. Because of these actions, the colonists provoked a war. Part one, in my opinion, shows how the rebellion started.
Connections:
One of the parts I could really visualize while reading was when Ben Franklin was talking to his friend, William Strahan. They were both speaking when I fly was spotted in the wine. It appeared dead, but Franklin pulled it out and it came alive. "The two men stared at the fly, and the buzzing stopped then began again, and suddenly the fly was gone, disappearing into the dull light of the room" (p 114). I've seen this before and like Ben Franklin, thought it was strange, but interesting. It's unusual to see something like that happen. It makes a person wonder how that works.
Reading Like A Historian
Change and Continuity:
What has changed is that the colonists have decided to rebel against England. From this change, I feel that the colonists are the only ones to benefit from the rebellion after they succeed. England is losing people and resources. They know that they must not lose otherwise they'll lose power.
Turning point:
I believe that the largest turning point was when the colonists had dressed as Native Americans and poured the tea into the harbor. Seeing as they could not have the tea, they decided that no one could have it. This was great offense to England not because only because it was an act of rebellion, but also a loss in funds. This pushed them further to start a war.
Comments:
I agree with Elizabeth in her Cause and Effect entry. England was trying to control America, but it's only natural for the motherland to want to take and make use of the new land. But of course the Colonies would want to part. They left England for a reason; for freedom. You're right in England not foreseeing the Colonists rebel.
Mai Xee Vang
ReplyDeleteREADING THOUGHTS
Big Idea:
In general, it was: King George III would come up with new laws/acts, and then back in the colonies people would rebel; this happens several times. For example, right at the beginning of the book when "His Majesty's Twenty-ninth Regiment... had been summoned to the boats by their commander...to maintain the peace." (3)Many of the people in the Massachusetts colony (as well as other colonies) became angered that they were to house these soldiers in their own home; therefore, rebelling and causing fights, with soldiers. This then becomes a never-ending-getting-worse process that can only be fixed if one side completely dies out.
Visualize:
It was easy for me to visualize the court case for Benjamin Franklin. I really saw how Benjamin Franklin took the verbal abuse of Lord Wedderburn and the laughter of the audience, and then finally at the end when, "the voices of the audience rose, some applauding the decision, some calling out in angry protest...He looked at the two men who were still watching him, managed a slight smile, said, 'Difficult day.'"(176) This shows what a strong individual Benjamin Franklin was.
READING LIKE A HISTORIAN
Turning Point:
The major turning point is the Boston Tea Party. The colonists angered from the refusal of returning the tea at port, concluded in them rebelling by dumping the tea into the Boston Harbor. Dumping all the tea into the harbor angers Britain. In response, Britain takes away the colonies' self-government. With many of the colonies slowly losing their freedom, they realize their common goal of independence with each other. With this, they become one power and soon the Boston Tea Party marks the beginning of the American Revolution.
Through Their Eyes:
Sons of Liberty had done what they've done with the Boston Tea Party because their rights were being taken away from them. Sitting back just to watch Britain do what they want with the Americans' dignity, and self-pride is wrong. Rebelling and talking about their hate for Britain didn't do much. With such a strong passion and motivation for their own freedom, the Sons of Liberties' actions were appropriate.
Comment:
I agree with Melanie's post about the colonists gaining power over Britain for a change and this only benefiting them. Britain's' "power" is pretty much ignored by the colonies, therefore Britain's mojo is invalid. I also agree with her post about the Americans leaving England for freedom. If they left for freedom, they REALLY don't want to be controlled by England anymore; if England keeps pushing American buttons and THEY want to start a war; the colonies are ready.
Pamela Moua
ReplyDeleteREADING THOUGHTS
Questions:
General Gage says that if he had more Regiments then "The rabble in Boston will be brought under control again. The rebellion will be stopped" (185). Wouldn't the people of Boston still have rebelled anyways? Soldiers wouldn't dare shoot anyone after the Boston Massacre so they might as well continue rebelling.
Big Ideas and Generalizations:
I found it ironic how people can't learn from the past (history repeats itself). England acted as the superior of the the Thirteen Colonies and the Thirteen Colonies got tired of that. They started to rebel and here we are today. It's exactly like racial segregation with the blacks. The whites are England and the blacks would be the Thirteen Colonies. Although the problems are different, we can only say that the situations are about the same.
THINKING LIKE A HISTORIAN
Turning Points:
Franklin sent letters to Tom Cushing and the Songs of Liberty had published them. I think the letters are a good thing because they had helped the Sons of Liberty distinguished who their enemy was: Governor Hutchinson.
Through Their Eyes:
Benjamin Franklin is a very optimistic person. He viewed the world differently from everybody else. One quote that really caught my attention was "Open your windows and let life inside. You cannot purge sickness by imprisoning it. You must wash it away" (34). To many others, he was viewed as an odd person. However, Franklin was a strong man and he endured a lot of things that other people wouldn't have been able to.
COMMENT:
Mai Xee, I imagined the same scene when I was reading it and I agree that Franklin is a strong man. If that would have been me, I would be talking back and possibly even crying from too much stress. It must have been really hard to even smile at the end of the hearing.
Makenzie Williams
ReplyDeleteREADING THOUGHTS
Visualize: I had a great visual image in chapter 8 when Benjiman Franklin goes to Dublin, Ireland. When he visits the countryside, he sees that most people live in poverty. "Franklin had seen the same sobering sights, people who owned nothing, who barely survived on a diet of potatoes and buttermilk, whose lives were played out in the cold despair of poverty" (88). Franklin also continued to wonder what it would be like if people from back home could see what oppression really is. Which is true. You don't know what it is until you see it for yourself.
Importance: When Thomas Gage meets with King George, the king asked Gage what his thoughts were about Governor Thomas Hutchinton. Since King George thought that Gage was too timid to answer, the king stated that he is orderly minded and loyal. However, he also stated, "...he is weak. Timid. Reluctant to offend the very barbarians who bark and growl at the walls of the empire" (185). Gage is to go to Boston to command the troops, and assume control of the government, which means that Governor Hitchinson is to be relieved of his postion. Once Gage takes over, it may be different the way Boston is run.
READING LIKE A HISTORIAN
Turning Points: A major turning point in this section is when the Sons of Liberty dumped the tea into the Boston Harbor. The reason why they did that in the first place is that, in the people's eyes, they are being taxed on something they can't even have. It is definately an act of rebellion, but their intenstions were on the right track, if they want a war.
Differing Perspectives: According to Adams, Hutchinson has "a smug, aristocratic superiority, the arrogant disregard for both written law and the collective wishes of the people." In other words, he's not that great of a governor. But to Adams, the important thing is that Hutchinson is from boston and a Harvard Graduate. According to King George and Thomas Gage, (like I said previously) Hutchinson is loyal and orderly minded, but timid and weak. Which is why Gage is taking over as Governor. According to myself, it wouldn't really matter if the governor is from Boston or a Harvard graduate. It would depend on their leadership and how well they handle their responsibilities.
Comment: Pamela, I agree with your "Through Their Eyes" statement. Franklin was definately an optimistic person. He wasn't like most people, because he views things differently. Especially when he visited Ireland, when he gave McCabe a coin for giving him a ride. Most people would not do that.
Calvin Cottrell
ReplyDeleteReading Thoughts
Connections: After reading the first part of the book I see alot of connections to today. One of the main problems or questions that sparked the revolutionary war was how much power the government should have over the people. The Sons of Liberty led by Samuel Adams in the book passed out pamphlets and they gave fiery speechs on how through the Stamp Act the government in London was abusing it's power. And those same battles are being fought today. An example of this is the huge fight over health care and the individual mandate to buy health insurance. Another connection I found was the fight over 'taxation without representation.' I was shopping with family and I saw a license plate from Washington DC that had the same phrase on it, and after some research I was amazed to find that people in D.C pay federal taxs but don't have any representation in Congress. Which is extremly ironic given the fact that Ben Franklin fought so hard for represention in London for the colonies, because althrough he represented many of the colonies nothing that the people's assemblies in the colonies passed or said had any effect.
Visualize: The most visual part of the book for me was when John Adams went to his farm in the country after the British shut down Boston Harbor. I thought that was a powerful image when the roads were blocked with thousands of people fleeing the city with their few belongings. I also thought that was a great example of what the Sons of Liberty were saying all along. That because the ministers in London weren't from, and didn't represent the colonies they put little to no thought in how their policies would effect the people.
Reading Like A Historian
Through Their Eyes: I find Ben Franklin the most interesting character in the book. Mainly because unlike the other characters he really is in the belly of the beast. He is the one that constanstly has to deal with anti-American setiment in London and he has to relay the messages the colonies sent to the King. He is also in the difficult position of being related to the royal Governor of New Jersey, his son. Who ironically asks his father for advice on how to run his administration. But this conflict also ripped his family apart. This makes his view point very important because he see and experiences how the government in London views the colonies.
Cause and Effect: Cause and effect is a really important part of the story especially when you think of the policies that London enacted. For example the Tea Act with it's new taxes put merchants out of business. Another example is when the King cancelled the charter of Massachusetts. This had the effect of galvanizing effect of inspiring the other colonies.
Comment
Mackenzie, I agree with your Differing Prospectives portion. I really shouldn't matter if Hutchson is from Boston. What should matter is how he views the people of Massachusetts? And from the letters that Ben Franklin gave to the Samuel Adams he doesn't think to highly of them and is more loyal to the crown then his own people.
Ashley Hanke
ReplyDeleteReading Thoughts
Visualize: For me a a major visual image i saw was when Franklin was in Ireland; and he saw many people in poverty. "My eyes are open now, and I will remember this place. It is far more then an experience, another chapter in a long life of observation." (95) I believe Franklin going to Ireland opened his eyes up to how really important poverty is, and how it could be effective as well in the U.S.
Importance: In the beginning of the book in the first few chapters, its important to see that England wants the resources of America. This failed however, and the Americans rebelled. Therefore Americans rebelled and dumped the tea into the Boston Harbor. Creating more uprising and conflict.
Thinking like a Historian
Turning Points: A major turning point in the first few chapters of the book was; when the Sons of Liberty dumped the tea into the Boston Harbor. They were being taxed on something that they never had in the first place, so therefore they rebelled against it.
Change and Continuity: What has changed is that England is losing power due to the colonists rebelling against them. The effect is that because of this they are losing both people and power.
Judith Spear
ReplyDeleteReading Thoughts
Big Idea: The first part of the book mainly talked about the changing relationship between England and the 13 colonies. During the beginning, many of the people were mostly satisfied with being under the rule of the king, until he began placing taxes and other laws and rules upon them. After time, the citizens of the colonies began to realize that England only saw them as resources that sent supplies and goods back to the Motherland, and they also realized that England did not think that they were able to make their own decisions and govern themselves. "It seems that in England, America is percieved as some quaint collection of backwoods settlements. It has been repeatedly decided that we are not yet competent, or worthy, or civilized enough to manage our own affairs"(106). At the end of the section, England and America had a very tense relationship because of the Boston Port Bill and the Boston Tea Party, leading up to the creating of the continental congress.
Importance: What I believe to be the most important part of the section was the Boston Massacre. By the English soldiers killing American citizens, it broke the trust that the two countries had built. It also angered the Americans and it inspired them to start fighting back with England to get their own rights and also to get the soldiers out of their towns and homes. The Massacre also inspired the colonies to unite to fight England and the king to get freedom. "I recall the night...the aweful night I stood in front of the Custom House and saw the blood of our citizens spilled on the snow...If we do not unite, if we do not send a message to the king, to Parliment, to the royal governors of every colony, that we will not allow our rights and our laws to be trampled, then God help us, there will be more blood" (108).
Thinking Like a Historian
Turning Point: I think that a major turning point in the book was the tea being dumped into the Boston Harbor. It symbolized the American citizens rebelling against the tax on the tea, but also England as a whole. By dumping the tea, the Boston Post Bill came into place, and that caused a lot of fighting with England and also the uniting of the 13 colonies, which led to the war.
Change and Coninuity: during this section of the book, England is beginning to lose it's hold on American due to the rebelling of the colonists. What remains the same is the colonist's drive to be free and to have their own rights and laws. The drive only grows stronger throughout the section. The American colonists are greatly benifiting from England slowly losings its hold on America because they are getting the chance to voice how they feel and also take action against the English. Meanwhile, the English are suffering because they see America as a resource, and if they lose their hold on them, they will have lost many great and valuable resources.
Comment: Ashley, I agree with what you visualized when Ben Franklin took a trip to Ireland and saw all the poverty. When I read the part about that, I could also see how what Franklin saw opened up his eyes and helped him see the world a different way.
Emily Thiele
ReplyDeleteVisualize
When Ben Franklin took the trip to Ireland and decided to spend some time touring, he took some time to explore the back roads of Ireland. His carriage driver, Mr. McCabe, a native Irishman who was abused by his boss, was reluctant to take him into the back country, where he knew the Irish farmers lived, driven into poverty by the hard hand of English rule. Franklin wanted to see and meet the people, anyway, so the driver took him. Franklin saw people living in mud houses, and when he asked the ashamed Mr. McCabe who the people were, he replied, “They’re Irish people, sir” (Rise to Rebellion 88). The way Jeff Shaara depicted this scene was a perfect representation of the Irish struggle under English reign, and reading it made the images stick in my mind so I’ll remember what King George did.
Big Idea/Generalizations
A main idea that can be drawn from Part 1 of Rise to Rebellion is that when half the people in a culture move a long distance, two different cultures will form. This started with the English and the Americans when some of the English moved to America and the English adopted the thirteen colonies. Presently, the United States and England are very different countries. Our languages are even spreading apart, morphing into American English and British English. Another example of this is the Hmong immigration to America. Since being separated from their homeland, Laos, they have had to adopt the American culture.
Through Their Eyes
It was the 18th century, so going to another country was not a comfortable 8-hour flight, it was a month-long journey by ship across the Atlantic. Everything was very slow, and therefore people had a lot of patience. Ben Franklin noted that he only received a letter from his wife every few months while she was living in America, whereas nowadays you can send an email there and get an almost immediate response. Because of all the conflict between England and America, the reaction times were greatly affected. Nowadays, because we have internet and television connecting everything, political conflicts will hit the news in minutes, while in the 18th century, political conflicts could take days, weeks, or months to become news, depending on how far away you lived.
Differing Perspectives
Out of the several perspectives in Part 1 of this book, so far I agree with Benjamin Franklin’s the most. He sees things in a logical matter that I can relate to. General Gage’s perspective got more un-relatable toward the end of Part 1; now I see him as almost a bad guy because of the way he regards people, and because now he is plainly on the King’s side. John Adams is a likeable character, but I hate how he spends so much time away from his family, because they should be the priority. I like how the book takes things from the bad guys’ perspective and makes the reader see their point of view, like the British soldier at the beginning, who is picked on by the snowball-throwing teenagers, and ex-Governor Hutchinson, whose house was burnt, his manuscript tramped, and his daughter threatened by the Sons of Liberty. These perspectives make me sympathize with some of the King George supporters and make me question how our American history books portray the American Revolution. I think that we make the British out to be all bad guys, when that’s probably not true.
Comment: Judith, I agree with you that the Boston Massacre was very important. I think it was also the best place for the book to start, and I was glad that it gave insight into the notion that the Boston Massacre could have been the Americans’ fault, not the Redcoats’, because it said the American teenagers started throwing snowballs at an innocent British officer performing his duty. People always think the Redcoats were being mean in the first place, but it was probably the Americans’ fault. I totally agree with you that the first murder broke the trust between the two countries and paved the way for future conflict.
Mr. Seeley
ReplyDeleteEveryone -
There are so many fantastic comments! I don't know where to begin.
I am glad to see the reading skills being used while you work through the book. The goal is to be an active reader and that is exactly what a lot of you are doing. Also, the Thinking Like a Historian comments are fantastic. Being able to identify change and continuity, turning points, cause and effect, etc. is so very important if one wants to fully understand the past.
Thanks everyone and keep up the great work. I have enjoyed reading your blogs!
Rachel Bauman
ReplyDeleteQuestions-
While Franklin was in Ireland, he took a tour through the country and saw the poverty there. Neither the colonies, nor Ireland had a voice in their government. They were only to serve their king. He wondered that if things didn't change, would the colonies turn into what Ireland had become. Franklin believed that, "Here you will find all the inspiration for rebellion you will need. But not the energy." (79) It makes me wonder that if we didn't have the leaders like Sam Adams and John Hancock, who pushed to part with England, would we have had to go through a part in history where we would've been much like Ireland, or would the government have treated us differently if we didn't have these "radicals"?
Importance
"'It is proposed that the people,...do whatever in their power to prevent the tea on those ships from being landed on those shores. All in favor...' The hall erupted again,... nearly seven thousand voices coming together."(141) When Sam Adams proposed to dump the tea into the Boston Harbor, a large number of colonists agreed with him. When this happened, it was a sign of unity. The colonists were coming together as one, agreeing to rebel against England.
Through Their Eyes
King George III was put in the position of having to pay the debt back from the Seven Years War. Though it may have seemed that the decision to put unfair taxes on the colonies was an easy fix, it didn't match up with the king's character. He was described as a caring man and had been taught to preserve his empire. His decision to tax the colonies left people thinking that he was an unfair ruler, therefore he was not preserving his empire because the colonies were rebelling against England. He was surrounded by people who were only out to serve themselves, and convinced the king to put these taxes on the colonies. So in King George III's eyes he avoided conflict between himself and his colleagues.
Cause and Effect
With a heavy hand set on eliminating smuggling, the only ships that were allowed to deliver tea legally to the colonies were from England, thus increasing England's tax revenue. As a result the colonist would have been paying more for their tea, which angered them. Due to the colonists' anger, the Sons of Liberty dumped the tea into the Boston Harbor. Thus the Boston Tea Party. The colonists, who disagreed with the government in England, supported the Sons of Liberty and their actions. But the loyalists, disagreed with these actions. The colonists rebelling in the Boston Harbor was intentional, to show the king that the colonists were unhappy with his policies. However, the extent of the repercussions came as somewhat of a surprise to the colonists.
Comment
Emily, I agree with you in your different perspectives section. General Gage and even Governor Hutchinsin began to play the villain in this book to me. I disagreed with their actions and found them to be a bit rude. And yes, the British probably weren't bad people. But at that time in history they may have been too unfair with the colonies.
Jenny Steinke
ReplyDeleteVisualize:
In the first part of the book, one scene stood out from the rest of being one I could play in my head. It was at the Boston Harbor, on December 16, 1773 and this famous event is known as the Boston Tea Party. I could feel the cool breeze on the night where the captain and crew members got some unexpected visitors on their ship. I could see the fright in their eyes while the men dressed as savages were coming aboard. One part in particular is when one of the "Indians" came up to Captain Hall and said, “No harm will come to you. Your men are not in danger, Captain"(p. 144). At that section in the scene I was in the captain’s shoes and could feel the man breathing in my face, which game me goose bumps. I could also imagine the dark shapes moving around and hear the soft, sharp whispers. I could even hear the splash of the tea and feel the adrenalin in all of the bodies. It was funny reading the captain’s reaction after he figured out what they were doing. To him it was comical. What a perfect scene!
Questions:
Asking questions while reading is an important reading strategy everyone should do. While reading the first chapter about the Boston Massacre question came into my head. If a snowball started a whole massacre, to what extreme would the event be like if it happened today?
Reading like a Historian
Using the Past:
The very last sentence of the first part of the book says it all,"...somewhere in his mind, something no one in England thought they would ever hear: the sharp voices of thirteen colonies, coming together to speak as one"(p.192). This shows that in order to make a change everyone has to come together to make it happen. Even in the most difficult times in history (whether the past or future), no one person can do everything alone. We need to become one!
Through their eyes:
Adams along with other knew that something needed to be done. We needed a government. Knowing this they were willing to risk everything to get away from British rules and taxes. They wanted something more then what they had and knew it was worth striving and working towards. They were willing to risk everything because there was nothing to lose.
Comment:
Rachel, I agree with your importance section. The Boston Tea Party was the first event that brought the colonists together. It showed that many people did not agree what England was doing and they had the same thought in their heads: rebel. Lot of colonists supported the Sons of Liberty's idea of going against England.
I also agree in your through their eyes section. King George III tried to avoid conflict. There was not anything the king could do to make everyone happy.
Taylor May Hagenbucher
ReplyDeleteQuestion: While I was reading, I was thinking. How educated could the people really be on the goings on? How did they know they were getting straight facts? beause, as a previous blogger said, it could take weeks to months to get straight information from a news paper beause of the lack of technology. Wouldnt most of what they heard be "us and them" rumors depending on how far away they live from the area of importance?
Perspective: I've never really thought of the English soldier side, and even the first part of the first chapter is mostly from their perspective. Gage's life seemed almost relateable to anyone who has ever moved to a new place from their home town.
Turning Point: I think that one of the turning points of the entire revolution, or at least leading up to it, was the Boston Massacre. The unity of the American people is also shown rigt from the beginning when adams says "Not my concern? You have shot citizens. This will concern us all." (14)
Connections: I think that it was kind of ironic that Adam's said "There will not be revenge in botston"(24) when I knew that there eventually was going to be the Boston Tea Party.
Comment: I aggree with Jenny's visualize section, I thought that the Boston Tea Party was depicted very well. (:
Matthew Selting
ReplyDeleteReading Thoughts-
Visualize: Out of everything that was brought in the first part of the book, the Boston Tea Party was one of the most visual sections for me. "Hall saw them now, more then a dozen men, wrapped in blankets, faces blackened by soot or grease, odd headbands, some carrying tools, hatchets, iron spikes. He felt and icy stab in his chest, thought, There are no torches" (161). This description of the "Mohawks" really set the tone for the chapter. It allowed me to not only see the "Indians" dumping the tea into the harbor, but to hear there cries of joy as the tea splashed into the water.
Preview/Predict: One of the main themes the book starts out with is when Captain Preston being accused of ordering his men to fire in Boston against the towns people. However Preston insists he is innocent and hires John Adams to be his lawyer. Adams, Fighting against the majority, tells Preston, "The law still relies on truth, on proof of guilt. They cannot be convicted of murder if the court cannot prove to the jury that there was murder committed" (61). I predict that this concept of the law relying on truth will be a major part later on in the book as the colonies and England become further exasperated.
Reading Like A Historian-
Turning Points: later on in the story, Franklin receives a letter from the People's Assembly of the colony of Massachusetts appointing him as there agent. This brings Franklin to Hillsborough's office where he is told by Hillsborough that he is not the agent because Governor Hutchinson would not give consent to the bill, which in the end proved to be false. I believe that this was a turning point because this was the first time Dr. Franklin ever had any true say in government matters.
Change and Continuity: Out of all thing "Change and Continuity" that I have noticed between present day America and back in the mid 1700's, one even brought up in the story stood out the most. While Franklin was taking a joy ride through the county side he came across a small village of Irish people. It was said that these people where "coming up from the earth itself" (87). What I found fascinating was the lack of knowledge Franklin had of the Irish people. His lack of knowledge is a good sign that no one payed any attention to proven struck societies like we do today. I believe we have changed tremendously in our attempts at helping less fortunate citizens, which is a big step in the right direction compared to where we where 300 years ago.
Comment: Just commenting on Taylor Hagenbuchers question, I completely agree. I also believe that this lack of globalization played a huge part in the Revolution. I seems to be a common theme that where ever there is trouble or conflict there is also misunderstanding and I believe that misunderstanding was one of the major factors leading up to the Revolution which could have been prevented through a more reliable source of communication.
Kallie Ziegler
ReplyDeleteConnection: To begin, Hugh White really made me connect to another period of time in history. When he was assigned as the guard in front of the Custom House it not only explained how awful the weather conditions were but how uncomfortable Hugh really was. The book stated,"He moved as much as the cramped space would allow, touched the walls on three sides of him, felt the rough cold wood." (4) This section made me connect to the time of the Holocaust when the "Jews" would be sleeping basically on top of people in very unbearable places.
Visualize: In addition to the first reading thought I had I also used another reading thought of visualization on page 12 when Hugh was in a hard situation. He was holding the musket up to the man's face, an innocent man's face, and I felt like I was right there watching the calmness that came across the man when he slowly walked up to Hugh White. I personally didn't believe that he was looking to start any trouble but the rush of anger that was boiling out of Hugh wasn't going to be stopped. The picture of the man getting more and more scared kept coming out. I knew Hugh was going to pull the trigger but once it did happen I managed to have a sense of shock. I can't imagine looking someone in the eyes and killing them when they were going to cause no harm to myself.
Change and Continuity: I knew that the Boston Massacre would spread like wild fire. It is funny how nothing has changed from that time to now days. When something happens in our world we know within a few minutes because of our advanced technology but we don't know what the truth really is just like how a lot of the people were hearing false statements about both sides of the party, the soldiers and the citizens. It's like when you were little and you would play that game of telephone and by the end of the game of course the story was changed. People don't listen or they change the story for the better of themselves. Therefore, people and their mouths really haven't changed much but how we hear the news it changing every second of the day.
Turning Point: On page 62 when it was dealing with the outcome of the soldiers there was a huge turning point for the couple of men that would receive the brand on one hand like the book stated, "a symbol of guilt they would carry for the rest of their lives." This to me is a turning point because since their past decisions of shooting the mob on the street was against the law they then had to deal with the consequences, the pain, and the remembrance of that day. Every single time they look at their hand it won't ever be forgotten because of the actions they took.
Comment: After reading Matthew Selting's blog I completely agree with your prediction. The truth seems to be slowly slipping away in the eyes of the people during this time. Taking that truth and relying on it will hopefully bring the colonies to speak as one.
Jon Rohr
ReplyDeleteImportance- A large idea in part 1 is that England wanted to heavily tax everything that was coming into America. England's reason for all the taxes is that America should pay for the protection that England is giving them. America didn't think that England was really protecting them and that the taxes were not needed. America took stand to show their disagreement toward the taxes by having the Boston Tea Party.
Visualize- One of the many things that I visualized in part 1 is on page 62. It is when Franklin was appointed as the agent of the People's Assembly of the colony of Massachusetts. He was in a carriage on his way to see Lord Hillsborough. He was trying to focus on his meeting but couldn't because of all the bumps in the road. He was being randomly jerked around his seat and couldn't focus. I see where he is coming from because sometimes when you are focusing, every noise or movement puts you off. "He tried to keep his focus away from the terrible road..(62)"
Turning Points- One big turning point was the Boston Tea Party when the tea was dumped into the Boston Harbor. The Colonies dumped the tea as an opposition to the taxes. That action put England and America on edge with each other, and they both knew that war was the only way to end the dispute. The rebellious actions of the colonies brought in more English troops.
Change & Continuity- England's power over the colonies has weakened because of America's rebel to pay the taxes. America is benefiting because they are getting stronger and feel like they can beat England. England is losing power because the colonies aren't listening to them and are losing money and resources.
Comment- Kallie, your visualization makes it seem like you are right there watching Hugh hold a gun to the man. I would feel the same way if I was looking into someones eyes right before I killed them.
Rachel Maguire
ReplyDeleteReading Thoughts
Evaluation – I thought the Boston Tea Party was interesting compelling in many ways, and seeing it unfold from the point of view of the captain only added to that. To me, the most interesting part of the scene was when the sailor came up to the captain and asked if the captain knew who the men were. The captain could have easily told the truth that he knew exactly who they were, but instead, he chose not to. The Boston Tea Party was a significant event in the long chain of things leading up to the American Revolution. When the Indians left and the captain was left alone, he thought about the Indians mission. It wasn’t to destroy the ship or steal anything; it was simply to make a point. The captain noticed that as a significant step toward a revolution, but I don’t think the British ever fully embraced that. All they seemed to do was look for someone to punish, but they didn’t really see what the captain, and American rebels, had seen.
Questions – Through the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, and the British brutality, Franklin’s visit to Ireland was, in my opinion, one of the most impelling scenes. Seeing the poverty and the people who were basically slaves to the British, I thought, had the loyalists and people like Dickinson prevailed, would that have been America, too? The Irish missed their opportunity for rebellion, what if we had? Also, later, as the book went on, I kept wondering why Franklin never used what he had seen as propaganda. While he was riding through the countryside, he described the thoughts and phrases flowing through his mind, but he never used that to fuel the fire in America.
Reading Like a Historian
Cause and Effect – Undeniably one of the most significant events leading up to the American Revolution was the Boston Massacre. Sam Adams used the killing of five colonists to gain enormous support for the rebellion. He called it a “massacre,” an exaggerated title to give other colonists the image of a mass-killing, adding to the effectiveness of the newspaper articles read across the colonies and in Britain. John Adams rejected Sam’s enthusiasm as radical and clumsy, but I don’t think he could argue the energetic response for a rebellion.
Using the Past – At the end of chapter four, as Franklin is considering the growing conflict, he thinks about what Britain has done to lead to this rebellion, allowing the colonies to grow strong, building culture and finding their identity, and he decides that the British cannot do whatever they please with the colonies, concluding, “You may have the power. But you do not have the right.” I read that quote and it made me think of America now. Last year in history, we had a discussion about how much America should do to reform and influence other countries. We talked about how America needed to find a balance and listen to people from other countries, because we can’t assume that what is best for us is right for everyone. This quote and the general message of Franklin’s thoughts can relate directly to that. Instead of Britain, America is the most powerful country, and we should take what Britain did to America and learn from the mistakes.
Comments
Jon, I agree that much of Part One was about the taxes and their use as propaganda, including the Boston Tea Party which was really a conclusion to the colonists’ opposition of any sort of British tax. There are many sections, throughout this book that make you feel as if you are actually there, and this is one of those sections. I agree that the Boston Tea Party really forced the British to act out in an attempt to control the colonies, and the British viewed war as the only way to settle the colonists’ rebellion. I hadn’t really thought about it in that way, but it is very true. The American’s felt like they could actually do something to hurt the British and their king, which empowered them to do more.
Jenna Maly
ReplyDeleteEvaluation: This first section showed me how off I was about how the American Revolution actually started. I had always thought the colonists rebelled because of all England's laws and acts. In previous history classes when we learned about them they always seemed so extreme and unfair; on the contrary this section shows that not only were the laws and acts fairly reasonable, but it was the colonists who had actually acted out first. I also thought that the author, Jeff Shaara, would be biased against either the colonies or the English. However, he did a great job remaining neutral. I enjoyed how he showed perspectives of both parties and gave a great understanding of the characters thoughts throughout the book.
Visualize: I thoroughly enjoyed the authors writing style and voice throughout this section. From the very beginning images were clearly formed in my head, making it easier and more exciting to read. I could vividly picture each characters face uniquely as it was. Also, the writing style of the author combined with previous pictures from the American Revolution found in history books made it was easy to picture each event as if it were a movie playing in my head.
Turning Points: I saw John Adam's becoming part of the Sons of Liberty as personal turning point. Before the incident with the Gaspee ship he seemed almost content with living under the kings rule as long as there was peace. Once he realized the king would take away the colonists judicial system, which was very important to him, just to have someone to blame, he knew he could not stand for that. That night he became part of the Sons of Liberty.
Differing Perspectives: There are many differing perspectives in this section from characters such as American citizens, an English general, and Ben Franklin. Also, the differing sides showed many different perspectives. The colonist thought of the British as impeding on them when all they wanted was to get away from the British rule. The British owned the colonies and were just tying to maintain control and order and work their way back from the financial expenses of the French and Indian war by imposing taxes. Out of all the perspectives I have to say I agree most with John Adams perspective because he isn't biased. He thinks about what is right and just where everyone else wanted things their way and didn't consider others wants/needs.
Comment: Rachel, I agree with your cause and effect section. The Boston Massacre was definitely a very significant event leading to the American revolution. I also found your using the past part very interesting. The way you took that quote and related it was really interesting because I had never thought of it like that.
Anna Welton
ReplyDeleteConnections:
I had background knowledge on the topic of the Revolution that I had learned in previous years of study in school. In particular, I knew information about John Adams. I knew about his involvement in defending Preston in the trials regarding the Boston Massacre. In defending and winning the case, his loyality to the patriot cause was questioned. I also knew that he and his wife Abigal communicated through letters. Later on she would tell him through one of their letters regarding politics to "Remember the Ladies."
Evaluation:
The author does not show a lot of bias in the writing, which suprized me. Shaara wrote through different perspectives, both Patriot and British, throughout the section. The book explains quite thourougly what led to major events, such as the Boston Tea Party, the Boston Massacre and the Boston Port Bill, and how these actions effected the colony of Massachusettes. The colony's citizens lost its right to hold town meetings. Governer Hutchinsion was removed from his post & replaced by Gage. And, most importantly in my opinion, troops were sent in to heavily watch the colonists.
Change and Continuity:
The colony of Massachussettes changed their leadership from a Royal Governer to a military leader, which imposed a larger threat to the colony. The Boston Port Bill was enforced by Gage, which severly limited the citizens' rights. Nothing had exactly remained the same at this point in the novel, due to the dramatic changes made throughout the section. The fret the author's characters experience in this section reflects the chaotic time they are about to enter. Currently, the King & his loyalists are benefiting from the new rules and soldiers imposed upon Boston by the King. They are hoping through a change in leadership as well as deploying these troops to keep the Sons of Liberty under control. The Sons of Liberty do not benefit from these changes at all. They lost their town meetings, which is the only place that they were publicly expressing their views at this point. All citizens of Boston were expected to be willing to quarter troops in their homes, which was something not many wanted to do.
Through their eyes:
Through the eyes of the Sons of Liberty, their world is turning upside down. They are losing all of the freedoms that they previously had, and the King was not willing to negociate with the citizens or to understand any of the rights that they are asking for. From the view of the king and his associates, everything is finally going back to normal. They have finally taken control of Boston and its radicals and showing them who is in charge.
Comment:
Jenna, I agree with your Turning Points seciton of your blog. When John Adams became a Son of Liberty, it added a legal perspective as well as a level head to the group, which will help them later on in forming a government.
MaKayla Cywinski
ReplyDeleteVisualize:
In the first section of the book, the author did an outstanding job of helping the reader visualize the characters. I really got a good idea about who each of the characters were and their personalities. I especially enjoyed Benjamin Franklin. I believe Jeff Shaara did the best at portraying his character. Along with making it easy to visualize each character, the writing style of the author made the book fun and exciting to read.
Evaluation:
Throughout the entire first section, Shaara wasn't bias at all. This helped make the book more clear so I could see both sides of the issue and make an opinion for myself on the topic. He also did an outstanding job of researching what caused the American Revolution. Everything that he had talked about and explained in the first section went along with what we had previously been taught in prior classes.
Through Their Eyes:
Benjamin Franklin had a positive outlook on things in the past. The book portrayed him as being an upbeat, witty man. Because of this, he always saw both sides of the problems with the American Revolution. Also, it seemed as if he was a kind man. When he was in Ireland and he saw all of the Irish in the mud homes he thought of the slaves in America. Franklin didn't believe slavery was right and his positive attitude helped him with this conclusion.
Turning Points:
I believe that a huge turning point in the Revolution was the Boston Tea Party. After that had happened, the British and the Americans really had no other choice but to go to war. The Americans had been taxed and they were ready to fight for their own freedom. The Boston Tea party to me, was really what initiated the war.
Comment:
Anna, I agree with your 'Through Their Eyes' section. The King wasn't willing to negotiate anything and this angered the Americans. They wanted their freedom which built up more anger before the revolution.
Grady Keding
ReplyDeleteVisualize:
The visual image in chapter 8 when Benjiman Franklin goes to Dublin, was amazing. When he visits the countryside he sees that most people live in poverty, and realizes how important it is. "Franklin had seen the same sobering sights, people who owned nothing, who barely survived on a diet of potatoes and buttermilk, whose lives were played out in the cold despair." I believe that at this point Franklin starts to understand how the people suffer and feels heir pain.
Questions
Many questions rose, but this one bugged me; In the first section England wanted Americas resources, but the Americans rebelled, then England proposed numerous taxes on the Americans. I found this interesting that if they wanted american items why tax them?
Through their eyes:
The Sons of Liberty did what they did because their rights were being taken away from them.The sons of liberty was formed to protect the rights of the colonists, just watching Britain do what they want with the Americans' dignity and pride is against everything they believed in. Because the sons of liberty thought that King George III was being unfair with taxing, they thought i necessary to act, leading to the Boston tea party, so i believe that there actions were necessary for their situation.
cause and effect:
Britain was being unfair with taxes, so Americans took action and rebelled against what the thought was wrong.
When King George III thought Americans were getting too much power, he started putting tax on unreasonable items, which made the sons of liberty rebel and take action.
Comment: Makayla I agree with your 'Turning point' statements on how they didn't really have a choice but to fight for what they believed was right. I also agreed with your visualizing on Benjamin Franklin and how his character really shined in the book, and came to life.:)
Jared Pankow
ReplyDeleteQuestion: In the beginning stages of this book there were many developing problems that the colonies had with King George's new laws. Whether it was issues with taxes or soldiers in the home a general outcry came from the people; this is what led me to my question: why, after so many instances of grievance among the people, did Britain find the rebellion so startling?
Generalizaton: It seems that the rebellion, American Revolution, was another example of something rising up at its finest when pinned in a corner.
My question was sparked when I read Elizabeth's blog and noticed that she commented on how suprised the British were about the rebellion. It hadn't crossed my mind at that point, but immediately I was thinking obviously they were going to rebel when the had an issue with every new law put into place. Thanks Elizabeth
Jared Pankow.. totally forgot about the reading like a historian section.
ReplyDeleteI felt that Jeff Shaara did a phenomal job portraying the two sides of the situation between the colonists and those still in England. From the colonists point of view they were British citizens that should share equal laws and priveleges as those in Britain, which obvsiouly was being abused. He also made it clear on what King George and the general public in Britain was thinking: the colonists get the oppurtunity to explore new land and gather a vast amount of resources for there country. The objective of a colony is that alone. King George new that, and made his decisions solely on whether they would help in that cause.
Anna Balk
ReplyDeleteReading Thoughts:
Connections:
The scene that brought me to connect to everyday life was the trial of Captain Thomas Preston. As he was being tried, a man named Palmes was questioned and we found out a rather significant chunk of information regarding him through his testimony. (58) "... I do not care a bit whether Captain Preston goes free or not. I have friends in this town- in this room, in fact, sir- who know my political leanings... "I consider myself, sir, a... Son of Liberty." By Palmes openly admitting this, we realize that in the courtroom, under oath people are willing to speak for their stands in politics, regardless of if it could prosecute the innocent! They say that many of his friends would rejoice if Preston was found guilty... When we hear the truth about him, Preston is saved in a way due to the fact that this Palmes is considered a 'Son of Liberty.'
Importance:
The revolution ultimately originated from heavy taxes from England. Part One shows the huge build up into revolution. We see that the Colonists are aggravated because the taxes were supposed to be used for the protection of the colonists, and they believed they were not getting the protection they deserved in any form at all! These actions of taxing brought upon the Boston Tea Party, which cause an enormous uproar.
Reading Like a Historian:
Turning Points:
As many others already stated, the Boston Tea Party was a very significant turning point, leading up to the revolution. It was brought upon England due to the heavy taxes they had put on tea, and other imports. The colonists were furious and this was one of their actions. When all of the existing thirteen colonies began to come together after this it made this revolution even more of a future concern.
Cause and Effect:
We often discuss in our history classes that the Boston Massacre wasn't harmful, and it only had a limited importance. However, in reading the beginning part of the book I believe it has a huge importance. After the cause, Boston Massacre, occuring we see the effect of the colonists opposing England even more than previously. This Massacre shows us how much the colonies were already going against the English and how a war was bound to occur sooner than later.
Comment: Going back to Kallie's blog, I agree with your Change and Continuity section. You are so right, in that technology has changed everything these days. You will hear a story from a primary source, but as it goes down the line it will no longer be factual. The truth about who yelled fire in the Massacre was unknown, but people spread that it was Thomas Preston, putting him into a bad situaton.
Zach Neuner
ReplyDeleteREADING THOUGHTS
Importance:
For me an extremely important part of the book was the colonists handling of the trials that followed the Boston Massacre. When John Adams said "The law will guide us, the law will prevail" (24), it made me realize how important it was that the colonists didn't immediately condemn Captain Preston out of anger, and instead gave him a fair trail that proved him innocent. Even Sam Adams said, "We are a civilized people. And all the other colonies will respect that. They will support us" (23). It was very important how the colonies and especially the sons of liberty handled this first huge spark in the revolution, and showed England that they were a "civilized" people.
Evaluation:
I thought that Jeff Shaara did an excellent job of not having a bias throughout the first part of the book. When he switches between characters like Gage and Sam Adams, you really understand where each side, Tory or Son of Liberty, is coming from and the differences between them. For example, when Gage shared his opinion of The Sons of Liberty with Hutchinson, he states, "they want the protection of His Majesty's army...but they aren't willing to pay for it" (31), you could really understand why Gage would feel that way being in the position that hes in. It seems like Jeff Shaara put a lot of thought and effort into what each character would say and think during the beginnings of the revolution.
READING LIKE A HISTORIAN
Change and Continuity:
Something that reminded me of an issue today was when the sons of liberty encouraged the people of the colonies to buy locally, to lessen their dependence on British made goods. This same issue is here today when some people say that it is not good that we import many of our manufactured goods from overseas. The author states that in the colonies, "The voices were loud, imploring the people to "buy American" (80). This same issue is still present today, where we are still encouraged to "buy American" goods.
Through Their Eyes:
During the American Revolution, it must have been an extremely difficult time for the people in the colonies emotionally. Friends and relatives must have been torn apart because of their political alliances to either England or the Sons of Liberty. To me this was obvious between Benjamin Franklin and his friend Strahan, who was close to the kings inner circle and a friend of Franklin for thirty years. Franklin states that, "he felt a strain, their relationship infected with this sudden formality whenever politics came up" (69). This "strain on relationships" probably happened all over the colonies between friends and relatives with different politics.
Comment:
I totally agree with Anna about Palmes testimony in court. I thought it was very brave when he admitted to being a Son of Liberty under oath, but then also testified that he believed Preston was innocent. He showed honesty that may have changed the outcome of the trial
Emily Neill
ReplyDeleteReading Thoughts
Importance:
Key ideas in this first section of the book mainly seem to be based upon the fairness, or unfairness rather, of how the colonists are being treated and pushed around by the Englishmen and King George. For example, after speaking with Samuel Johnson, Franklin thinks to himself, "We are not some primitive people who must accept your power, who have no choice but to kneel to your superiority. You have allowed us to grow strong, build our own culture, to find our own identity and our own way in the world. You cannot suddenly decide to tax us, exploit us, drain our resources. You cannot do with us as you please. With your vast army and your great navy, you may have the power. But you do not have the right" (p. 42). Here Franklin explains that if the colonists are to be treated as different and less superior, they may as well be their won nation and rule themselves - it is simply fair.
Preview/Predict:
I predicted that when the mysterious man came to nervously deliver the letters to Franklin, that he would get caught. Most people never get away with things they are uneasy about because they know it's wrong. Later, I found out that the mysterious man turns out to be Mr. Temple, who is now being ridiculed by not only the newspapers, but by the colonists as well. Franklin comes to his rescue when he admits that is is his fault and his fault only, leaving Temple off the hook.
Reading Like a Historian
Through Their Eyes:
The people in the past, specifically the colonists, view their world and their lives as unfair thanks to the Englishmen and the King. Samuel Johnson explains to Franklin that the Englishmen think that the mobs and acts of violence from the colonists are because "...we expect them to behave like Englishmen. That's a problem. Their safety is protected by the guns of Englishmen, their economy is sustained by the goods and currency of Englishmen, their behavior is governed by English law. But they're not Englishmen. They're colonists" (pg. 39). Whereas John Adams explains to his fellow colonists at the town meeting, "'It seems that in England, America is perceived as some quaint collection of backwoods settlements. It has been repeatedly decided that we are not yet competent, or worthy, or civilized enough to manage our own affairs. This time, our stern father has decided to remove our privilege of punishing our own criminals. Apparently we are not to be trusted. And further, we are not supposed to protest'" (pg. 94). Each side has their own apparent reason for why the colonists are upset, and the colonists show their frustration through their actions of violence and choices that are made through anger.
Turning Points:
One turning point was the Boston Massacre. This is considered a turning point because it's mainly the first time the colonists really got violent with the soldiers and the English. Past decisions of the Englishmen and of the King like the taxes on papers and tea, explain the frustration and therefore violent acts of the colonists that occur. This action known as the Boston Massacre shows that the colonists have had enough and are no longer going to sit around and endure the punishments, but instead, are going to go the distance to make things fair and just between them.
Comment:
I agree with Zach on the fact that the author, Jeff Shaara, wasn't really biased at all. He showed both sides of the story, colonists versus Englishmen, really well and must have done a lot of research in order to do so. From chapter to chapter, the values and thoughts of each side aren't intertwined, but rather separated, making the book much more interesting and closer to reality.
Mitchell Marten
ReplyDeleteBig idea:
Throughout the first section many members of the british parliament refuse to see the bigger picture of what messages they were sending with each repeal of a act or a law. The Townshend acts were full of flaws but they should not have simply gotten rid of them but revived them so that they would have shown the colonies that they excepted their opinion and revised it because of their input.
Evaluation:
The author has a bias that favors the colonists. Throughout the entire first section, in a way, he makes fun of the british parliament for enacting laws and then slacking to enforce them. It seems when he writes throught the eyes of any British members of the book he shows their lack of confidence in their own country.
Through their eyes:
Through the eyes of the colonists in Boston and Massachusetts the world was very uncertain except for one thing, they didn't like being left in the dark while someone blindly decides what is best for the colony. So obviously their disagreement with their representation led them to build together "the Sons of Liberty."
Alexa Denk
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Importance:
A key idea in the first section was the colonists lack of freedom and how unfair it was that the English were forcing them to conform to their ideas rather than their own. One section says "For more than a hundred years, we've been allowed to grow strong, prosperous, with few restrictions, few harsh laws. We have our own identity. So now in England there is fear. We're too strong, too prosperous, too... independent."(pg. 45) This tells us that they have developed their own culture, but are beginning to be forced to conform to the English culture.
Big Idea/Generalizations:
On page 45 it says "But in all of God's creation change is the only certainty." As the paragraph goes on he talks about the season changing and the plants and wildlife. But if you look at the bigger picture that message applies to everything in life. It also might predict that there will be a big change in the future of the book.
Reading Like a Historian
Using The Past:
On page 19 Sam and Adams are talking about the recent violence that has occured. In this passage Sam talks a lot about how the English people's memory is regrettably short. He also talks about how after each abuse they try to force on the colonists such as the Sugar Tax and the Stamp Act they make so much noise about it that they back down. The English people should learn from the past that the colonists don't like to be pushed around.
Comments:
I agree with Mitchell's "Through their eyes". The colonists only wanted that one thing and they didn't think about anyone else's point of view. This hatred for not having complete freedom is what would eventually build until the only thing left to do was to fight back.
Keri Rogan
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Visualize
Once I started reading the book, I was able to make many pictures in my mind of what was going on, because of how good the author described the events. My favorite part was when Franklin was walking around his room counting his steps as if he was walking to go visit Lord and Lady Barwell. Because of the poor weather he then deceided to postpone the visit and take the walk in his room. It was very easy for me to see this old man walking circles in his room and when Mrs. Stevenson came to his room to see what he was doing, I could visualize the anger on her face. Then when he explained what he was doing, I could hear and see her laughing at his craziness.
Big Idea/Generalization
They main idea of this section is how different the people of colonies are compared to the king or the loyalists. From the beginning they had different views on the taxes and the laws. The two groups of people have two different cultures now and they are not going to get along.
Thinking Like a Historian
Through Their Eyes
From the colonists view point, such and the Sons of Liberty, life was unfair and hard at times. They felt like they didn't have any freedom, and they wanted change. They didn't agree with the King on the laws that were being passed which made their life difficult.
Turning Points
I thought that the main turning point was The Boston Port Bill, which ordered the port of Boston to be closed. This meant that there was no trade because there were to be no ships entering or leaving. This brought the colonies together. On page 209 Shaara writes, " these were loud symbolic ceremonies where the Port Bill was shredded...the boundaries were coming down, and the people who maintained the pride of their uniqueness began to look outward and hear the words of their neighbors...There was a reason to become united. The alarm had been sounded. They had a cause." This shows that the people were finally coming together to fight the King.
Comments:
I agree with Alexa when she said that the Big Idea/Generalization was that there was a lot of change, such as how the colonist veiwed the King.
Jordan Zywicki
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Vocabulary: As I was reading, I came across the word ‘overwrought’, on page 105, and I had no idea what it meant. After looking it up, it found out that it means a state of nervous excitement or anxiety.
Visualization: One part I could easily visualize is in the beginning of chapter 14, when Adams and the other five men step into the warm office after being outside in the cold. “The men swarmed into the warmth of the office, a hot fire boiling in a large hearth at one end of the room. Warren and the others stepped that way, warming hands, scarves unwrapping, and Adams followed Sam forward, to the doorway that led to the back offices. They were met suddenly by a thin frail figure, all lace and curls, and the young man stared at Sam as if struck by some odd shock.” (Pg. 129) I could just imagine how nice that fire would feel after stepping inside from the cold. And I could just feel the young mans eyes on me, as if I were Sam.
Reading like a historian-
Change and Continuity: The thing that has changed is that the colonists decided to rebel against England. I think the colonists are the ones that benefit from this change, only because England is losing a lot of valuable things, and if they completely lose the rebellion then they pretty much lose everything.
Turning points: Even though it was a key event in the growth of the American Revolution, I think was the Boston Tea Party was one big turning point. As a result of the tea tax, the colonies refused to buy the British tea. And because the colonists tried to put taxes on America’s imports and exports, it was like English was asking for the rebellion to happen.
Comment: I’m with Keri on her visualization. I could picture everything as if it was a movie in my head!
Khalia Kulppi.
ReplyDeleteVisualization: The boston tea party is a scene that can always be easily pictured in someones mind. when kids learn about American history in elementary school they often act out the boston tea party. because i am so familiar with this scene it is very easy to imagine in my head.
Turning points: The boston tea party was also a very important turning point in the american revolution. this was so important becuase when the Americans refused to purchase the tea, and instead dump it out. This event was major, because it showed King George that the new colonies wanted to be on their own and that they are rebelious, hence, rise to rebellion. this isn't so much a physical rebellion, but instead a moral action that shows that americans want to be on their own.
Differing Views-
The british thought that the colonies were going to be a scrambling mess of people trying to control new land, and that they were going to need the british in order to get things going. However, the colonists new that they could join together and make have a full functioning America!
Cory Marquardt
ReplyDeletevisualize
I was really interested in the Ben Franklin parts in the book and the revolution. I have always liked him and his work but what I learned while reading is that he lived in england while the prelude to the revolution was going on. Also I can see how he had a big part in starting the revolution when he got Hutchinson's letters and sent them to Adams.
Connection
I found that the mindset of General Gage seems to be like that of people with power today. He sees the good things he does but not negatives of people that are below him.
Turning point
I think the major breaking point that told us there would be a revolution was the Boston Tea Party. Because if the colonists wouldn't of done that then the king wouldn't of sent more troops over to the colonies and taken away their rights.
Through their eyes
I can see that when the Gysee was destroyed it really helped the colonists, In a way of giving them confidence that they could fight for themselves against the English.
Comment
I agree with Khalia about the visualizeation. i can remember acting out the play in elementry school and seeing different things about it on tv. It was a very good connection to help understand what went on durring the time period.
Jacob Kolbeck
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Importance:
John Adams has his priorities set all through the book. During the uprising he wants to set things right for the arranged bloodshed that Sam set up. He takes sides with Quincy in helping the officer that was there at the shooting. He and Quincy team up to fight in court.
Connections:
John reminds me of main character in the movies that have a family. During the bloodshed he tries to convince his wife to go and hide with his soon to be born son in fear they may get hurt. Most main characters in the movies do this aswell and the wife for the most part always chooses to stay and the man protects them. Usually getting hurt in the prosses but it all works out in the end.
Thinking like a historian
Through their eyes:
Living in this time period was probably very hard on the people. We as of now are not used to seeing war our home turf. This was very emotionally scarring on the people that lived there. Families were most likely split apart due to conflicting politial views.
Turning point:
The Boston Port Bill was in my eyes the greatest turning point. This meant that England could no longer import things. The people had no choice but to band togeather and provide for themselves. This also meant that England was just hit with a major finacial blow.
Comment:
I agree with Cory in saying that the Boston Tea party was a great turning point due to it showing that the people could accually come togeather and fight as one and prove their not afraid anymore.
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