Constructing the American PastPrimary Source Journals
Directions: Read each primary source carefully, taking note of the important themes, arguments, and concepts. Define each key term using the documents as your sources. Then, answer each question using ONLY the sources included in the journal set. Turn in your responses no later than OCTOBER 10, 2013.
• Joseph Galloway, "plan of union"
• Samuel Seabury, "an alarm to the legislature"
• Benjamin Franklin on the Galloway plan and the north resolution
• Thomas Paine from Common Sense
• John Wesley, from "a sermon preached at St. Matthew's, Bethnal Green, on Sunday, Nov. 12, 1775"
• Lord Dunmore's proclamation and responses
• Revolutionary battle flag
• "God arising and pleading His people's cause"
• Correspondence of Abigail and John Adams
• Declaration of Independence
• Thomas Jefferson, from Notes on the State of Virginia
• Letter from Benjamin Banneker to Thomas Jefferson
• Reply of Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Banneker
Part 1-
Identify in the context of the following:
Continental Congress, Methodists, July 2, 1776, Lord Dunmore, "self-evident truths", John Wesley, Tory, Galloway's "Plan of Union", Benjamin Banneker and Samuel Seabury.
Part 2-
1. Present arguments for and against Galloway's "Plan of the Union"
2. Compare Seabury's arguments for cooperation with Britain with Paine's arguments for independence. Which do you find most persuasive? Why?
3. Compare Paine and Wesley's comments concerning slavery and liberty. Which do you find most persuasive? Why?
4. Compare the ideas and the rhetoric in Paine's Common Senseand Jefferson's Declaration of Independence. Account for the similarities and the differences
Part 3-
1. Discuss at least metaphors and/ or rhetorical devices used by the various authors. How do you account for their language and tone?
2. What are the "self-evident truths" mentioned in the Declaration of Independence? Are these truths self-evident to you? Justify your response.
3. Can Jefferson's ideas in the Declaration be reconciled with his comment in Notes on the State of Virginia? Justify your answer.
4. Would you have supported the patriots or the loyalists? Justify your response.