American History: A Survey (Brinkley), 13th Edition

Chapter 5: THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Primary Sources

1
The following is taken from "Letters Addressed to the Inhabitants of the Province of Massachusetts Bay," written by Daniel Leonard and published in the Massachusetts Gazette on January 9, 1775. Leonard was one of the most aristocratic and successful lawyers of the period, but his views on the activities of the American Patriots and his loyal support of the crown eventually made him an outcast in his own colony. In the series of "letters" published in late 1774 and early 1775, he argued his case, and although his warnings were not heeded, he left behind one of the best statements of the Loyalist period.

Read carefully what Leonard wrote. What type of government did he want? How did this government's form, and the way that he proposed it should work, differ from the views held by American Whigs? How did Leonard answer what he felt to be the most important of the colonial grievances? Did he feel a problem really existed? Why or why not? Was Leonard so pro-British that he had no regard for America and its future? What did he suggest might be the future relationship between colonies and mother country? Do you think he considered himself an American or an Englishman? Why? And, finally, what does Leonard's position tell you about the differences between Loyalist and Whig?

Daniel Leonard

2
Read the Declaration of Independence, in the Appendices to your text. This is a statement of the causes for the colonists' rebelling against England. How do these causes set down by Jefferson compare with those you have identified in your earlier reading?

The Declaration of Independence also suggests the type of society that Americans hoped would result from this struggle. Identify the major characteristics of the independent nation that Jefferson hoped would be created.

(See the text's Appendices)

3
Having read, in the text and in other documents, of the aims, interests, and ideals of the American patriots, now read the Virginia Statute of Religious Liberty: An Act for Establishing Religious Freedom. Written by Thomas Jefferson, the statute was passed by the Virginia General Assembly in October 1785. It was the first and clearest legislative expression of the idea of complete religious freedom in America. How does it reflect the principles for which Americans said they had fought the Revolution?

Virginia Statute of Religious Liberty

4
The following is an excerpt from the Articles of Confederation, approved by all the states by 1781. How does it reflect the principles for which Americans said they were fighting the Revolution? What goals and objectives of the Revolution still remained to be achieved?

Articles of Confederation

5
Below is the charge to the jury given by the chief justice of Massachusetts, who in 1783 presided over the case of Quork Walker, a slave who was suing his master. How does it reflect the principles for which Americans said they had fought the Revolution?

The Case of Quork Walker

6
The following is an excerpt from the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. How does it reflect the principles for which Americans said they had fought the Revolution?

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Glencoe Online Learning CenterSocial Studies HomeProduct InfoSite MapContact Us

The McGraw-Hill CompaniesGlencoe

Please read our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice before you explore our Web site. To report a technical problem with this Web site, please contact the Web Producer.