Colonist Perspective Cards

Instructions: In your groups, read each card. Discuss the colonist's situation and try to understand their perspective. Why might they feel the way they do about independence? What factors are influencing their choice?

Card 1: Samuel Adams, Boston Artisan & Activist

• Background: You are a passionate resident of Boston. You've seen firsthand the impact of British taxes like the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts on your fellow merchants and workers. You believe these taxes are unjust because colonists have no say in the British Parliament ("no taxation without representation!"). You were a vocal participant in protests and see British soldiers as an oppressive force.
• Livelihood: Your small artisan business is struggling due to British trade restrictions, and you feel the economic burden directly.
• Family/Community: Your community is filled with people who feel similarly oppressed. You worry about the future for your children under what you perceive as tyrannical British rule.
• Core Belief: You believe strongly in self-governance and natural rights. You feel that separating from Britain is the only way to secure liberty and prosperity for the colonies.

Your Stance: Patriot

Card 2: Thomas Hutchinson, Royal Governor of Massachusetts

• Background: You are the appointed Royal Governor of Massachusetts. Your family has deep roots in the colonies, but you are a staunch supporter of British authority. You believe that Great Britain is the rightful governing power and that the colonists owe loyalty to the King and Parliament. You see the protests and acts of defiance as lawless rebellion that must be quelled to maintain order.
• Livelihood: Your position and wealth are tied directly to the British government. You believe that maintaining ties with Britain is essential for colonial stability and economic well-being.
• Family/Community: Many of your friends and family also hold positions within the colonial administration or are wealthy merchants who benefit from British protection and trade networks.
• Core Belief: You believe that a strong central government is necessary to prevent anarchy. You fear that independence would lead to chaos and ruin for the colonies. You uphold the rule of law as established by Parliament and the King.

Your Stance: Loyalist

Card 3: Martha Jones, Pennsylvania Farmer

• Background: You are a farmer living in a somewhat isolated rural area of Pennsylvania. You are focused on your crops and your family. While you've heard news and rumors from Boston and Philadelphia, the direct impact of British policies on your daily life has been minimal so far. You value peace and stability above all else.
• Livelihood: Your farm provides for your family. You worry that war, no matter who wins, would disrupt trade, make it harder to sell your produce, and potentially put your family in danger.
• Family/Community: Your neighbors are divided; some lean towards independence, others toward loyalty. You try to avoid political arguments, preferring to maintain good relationships with everyone.
• Core Belief: You believe that getting involved in the conflict will only bring hardship. You wish both sides could find a peaceful resolution and prefer to focus on your own survival and well-being. You aren't convinced that either side's victory would significantly improve your life.

Your Stance: Neutral/Undecided

Revolutionary Choices Worksheet

Name: _____________________________

Instructions: As you discuss each "Colonist Perspective Card" with your group, complete the sections below. Think critically about the colonist's situation and the factors influencing their decision.

Colonist 1: Samuel Adams, Boston Artisan & Activist (Patriot)

1. What were Samuel Adams' main concerns about British rule?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. What personal reasons (e.g., livelihood, community) influenced his Patriot stance?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Imagine you are Samuel Adams. What is one specific action you would take to support the Patriot cause?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Colonist 2: Thomas Hutchinson, Royal Governor of Massachusetts (Loyalist)

1. What were Thomas Hutchinson's main arguments for remaining loyal to Great Britain?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. How did his position and background contribute to his Loyalist stance?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Imagine you are Thomas Hutchinson. What is one specific action you would take to support the Loyalist cause?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Colonist 3: Martha Jones, Pennsylvania Farmer (Neutral/Undecided)

1. What were Martha Jones' primary worries or reasons for remaining neutral?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. How did her daily life and community influence her undecided stance?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Imagine you are Martha Jones. What is one question you would ask a Patriot and one question you would ask a Loyalist to help you make your decision?

   • Question for a Patriot:
     
     
     
   • Question for a Loyalist:
     
     
     

Guided Colonist Cards

Instructions: In your group, read each card. Discuss with your teacher and group members why each colonist might feel this way about independence. What simple reasons are influencing their choice?

Card 1: Samuel, Boston Shoemaker

• Situation: You live in Boston and make shoes. The British government has put new taxes on goods, and it's harder to buy materials and sell your shoes. You feel like Britain is unfair because you have no say in their laws. You've joined protests against the taxes.
• Feeling: You want to be free from British rule so colonists can make their own laws and trading rules.

Your Stance: Patriot (Wants Independence)

Card 2: Governor Thomas, British Official

• Situation: You are in charge of Massachusetts for the British King. Your job is to make sure everyone follows British laws. You believe the King knows what is best for the colonies, and that protesting is wrong and makes things messy. Your family is important in the British system.
• Feeling: You believe colonists must stay loyal to Britain for peace and order.

Your Stance: Loyalist (Stays Loyal to Britain)

Card 3: Martha, Pennsylvania Farmer

• Situation: You live on a farm in Pennsylvania, far from big cities. You work hard to grow food for your family. You hear about problems with Britain, but it hasn't really changed your daily life. You worry that fighting will hurt your farm and family, no matter who wins. You just want things to be peaceful.
• Feeling: You don't want to pick a side. You wish everyone could get along and avoid war.

Your Stance: Neutral (Doesn't Pick a Side)

Guided Revolutionary Choices Worksheet

Name: _____________________________

Instructions: With your group and teacher, read each "Guided Colonist Card." Think about why each colonist made their choice and fill in the blanks or answer the questions below. Use simple sentences!

Colonist 1: Samuel, Boston Shoemaker (Patriot)

1. What was Samuel worried about with British rule?

   • He was worried about unfair ____________ (taxes/food) and having no ____________ (money/say) in laws.
     
     
     
     

2. Why did Samuel want independence?

   • He wanted colonists to make their own ____________ (rules/friends).
     
     
     
     

3. If you were Samuel, what is one simple thing you would do to support the Patriots?

   • I would ____________ (protest/sleep) or tell others to join.
     
     
     
     

Colonist 2: Governor Thomas, British Official (Loyalist)

1. What did Governor Thomas believe about British rule?

   • He believed the British ____________ (King/farmer) should rule and keep ____________ (peace/war).
     
     
     
     

2. Why did Governor Thomas want to stay loyal to Britain?

   • He thought it would bring ____________ (chaos/order) and safety.
     
     
     
     

3. If you were Governor Thomas, what is one simple thing you would do to support the Loyalists?

   • I would tell people to ____________ (fight/obey) the British laws.
     
     
     
     

Colonist 3: Martha, Pennsylvania Farmer (Neutral)

1. What were Martha worried about if there was a war?

   • She worried about her ____________ (farm/holiday) and her ____________ (pet/family) being in danger.
     
     
     
     

2. Why did Martha not want to pick a side?

   • She wanted ____________ (fighting/peace) and for everyone to get along.
     
     
     
     

3. If you were Martha, what is one simple question you would ask to help you decide?

   • Question for a Patriot: "How will independence make my family ____________ (safer/richer)?"
   • Question for a Loyalist: "How will staying with Britain keep us ____________ (happy/out of war)?"

Revolutionary Choices Answer Key

This answer key provides possible responses for both the Revolutionary Choices Worksheet (Tier 1) and the Guided Choices Worksheet (Tier 2). Student answers may vary but should align with the core ideas presented in the Colonist Perspective Cards.

Colonist 1: Samuel Adams / Samuel (Patriot)

For Revolutionary Choices Worksheet (Tier 1):

1. What were Samuel Adams' main concerns about British rule?

   • Thought Process: Samuel Adams' background as an artisan and activist in Boston, heavily affected by British taxes (Stamp Act, Townshend Acts) without representation, indicates his primary concerns are economic injustice, lack of political voice, and perceived tyranny from British soldiers.
   • Possible Answer: Samuel Adams was mainly concerned about unfair British taxes, not having a say in British laws ("no taxation without representation"), and the presence of British soldiers. He felt oppressed by British rule and that it hurt colonial businesses.
     
     
     

2. What personal reasons (e.g., livelihood, community) influenced his Patriot stance?

   • Thought Process: His business struggles due to British policies, his community's shared grievances, and his fear for his children's future under British rule are key personal motivators.
   • Possible Answer: His artisan business was struggling due to British trade rules. His community in Boston also felt oppressed, and he wanted a better future for his children, free from what he saw as tyranny.
     
     
     

3. Imagine you are Samuel Adams. What is one specific action you would take to support the Patriot cause?

   • Thought Process: Reflecting on Samuel Adams' historical role, actions like organizing protests, writing pamphlets, or encouraging boycotts align with his known activities.
   • Possible Answer: I would organize more protests against British taxes and policies, or write articles to convince other colonists to support independence.
     
     
     

For Guided Choices Worksheet (Tier 2):

1. What was Samuel worried about with British rule?
   • Thought Process: The simplified card for Samuel, the shoemaker, highlights

Individual Colonist Reading: Martha, The Farmer

Instructions: Read about Martha and think about her choice during the American Revolution.

Martha, A Farmer in Pennsylvania

Martha lives on a farm far away from the big cities like Boston. She spends her days working hard in the fields to grow food for her family. She cares a lot about her family and her farm.

She has heard talk about the British government and new taxes. She has also heard about colonists protesting and even fighting. But these problems haven't changed her daily life very much. She doesn't feel a strong connection to either side – the Patriots who want independence or the Loyalists who want to stay with Britain.

Martha worries about war. She thinks fighting could ruin her farm. It could make it hard to sell her food. Most of all, she worries about her family being safe. She believes that peace is the most important thing. She hopes that everyone can find a way to get along so her family and farm are not harmed.

Because of these worries, Martha decides to stay Neutral. She does not want to pick a side because she fears war and wants to protect her family and her quiet life on the farm.

Decision Path Activity: Martha's Choice

Name: _____________________________

Instructions: Based on the reading about Martha, fill in the boxes to show what led to her decision.

Martha's Situation

What was Martha's main job or life like?

Where did she live? (City or Farm)

Martha's Worries

What was one thing Martha worried about if there was a war?

What else did she want to protect?

Martha's Decision

Did Martha choose to be a Patriot, a Loyalist, or Neutral?

Why did she make this choice? (What was her main reason?)