Homework Two Answers - Student Four

From Conservapedia

1. Two important trials or series of trials occurred in the colonies between 1690 and 1750. What where they, and why were they significant?

The two trials referred to are the Salem Witch Trials and the Zenger Trial. The Salem Witch Trials had two important impacts, the first was that they hurt people's perception of puritanism, and the second is that they influenced our current standards of evidence so that hearsay and spectral evidence are considered invalid. The impact of the Zenger trial was that it influenced our Constitution to include the right to freedom of speech and freedom of press, also it underlined the importance of a jury in a trial.

Perfect answer, and will likely become the model answer.

2. What do you think were the two biggest causes of the Revolutionary War, and why?

There are many causes of the Revolutionary War, but the can be divided into two categories, ideological, and specific. The Ideological causes of the Revolutionary War were that as the enlightenment continued, there was a large group of American intellectuals and politicians including Thomas Paine, Patrick Henry, and John Adams, who believed that England's control over America was not legitimate, and that America had a right to rebel. These intellectuals were able to incite the American People to "throw of the chains" of English repression. The specific causes were England's repression of America including their prohibitive taxes, their not allowing Americans to migrate west, but most of all their not allowing Americans to have representation in the English government. These two causes were both fundamental to the American Revolution.

Fantastic answer again!

3.The "Tea Party" today takes its name from which event? Explain how that event connects to the views of the Tea Party Movement today.

The Tea Party takes its name from the Boston Tea Party, in which Boston citizens, to show their annoyance at Britain's taxes on Tea disguised as Indians, invaded a ship carrying tea, and threw overboard all of the tea it contained. This is connected with the Tea Party today because they both unite against unfair government oppression, and work to have a truly genuine representational government.

Excellent. Note that the dumped tea was exempt from the tax due to favoritism by Britain for a British (non-colonial) supplier of tea.

4. Explain and discuss the Great Awakening, and its effect in uniting the colonies.

The great awakening was a religious renewal and a genuine effort for all of the American people to unite in a sincere Christian Belief. Throughout history religion has brought all different types of peoples together, and a deep religious belief is possibly the best way to bring the colonies together. Unfortunately the Great Awakening would not fully unite the colonies as we can see from the disunion of American troops in the Revolution, and the climax of America's disunity in the Civil War.

Superb, but you might also say when the Great Awakening occurred (e.g., several decades before the Revolutionary War). (Minus 1).

5. What was the significance -- and the outcome -- of the French and Indian War? Should it have a different name?

Technically the French and Indian War should be called the French and British War. The French and Indian War was significant for three reasons. The first is that it gave George Washington (and many colonists) military experience that they would benefit from in the American Revolution. The second is that although it gave Britain control of America it put Britain into debt, making it unfairly tax (and put restrictions on) America to pay it's debt. The third is that it gave Britain control of most of North America.

Superb answer. (Note: "it's" above should be "its".)

6."But where says some is the King of America? I'll tell you Friend, he reigns above, and doth not make havoc of mankind like the Royal Brute of Britain...let it be brought forth placed on the divine law, the word of God; let a crown be placed thereon, by which the world may know, that so far as we approve of monarchy, that in America THE LAW IS KING." When and who do you think wrote that for the ordinary colonist? Explain.

I would guess Thomas Paine wrote that in his famous pamphlet common sense in 1776. Thomas Paine's pamphlet Common Sense was a work designed for the ordinary colonist which argued against Monarchy, and Britain's oppression of America. This quote underlines one of Common Sense's key messages (that kings do not have a divine right) so it is easy to tell that it was in Thomas Paine's Common Sense.

Terrific, could become a model answer.

H1. Do you find political cartoons to be effective? Discuss in the context of the cartoon illustrated in the lecture, and note what you find to be effective or ineffective about it.

I think Political cartoons are extremely effective because most of the time our mind works in analogies and political cartoons are merely humorous analogies so that the combination of humor and an insightful analogy can have a tremendous impact on our opinion of something. This Political cartoon compares America to a snake and shows that we are nothing unless we unite. This cartoon has become tremendously effective and is typically used as a banner for tea party gatherings. It is not an extremely humorous cartoon but its impact is undebatable.

Superb.

H2.Identify two similarities, and two differences, between the cultures of colonial America and England around 1770.

Two similarities are that they both spoke the same language and that American clothing and home furnishings were influenced by British Clothing and furnishings. Two differences were that America had a larger agricultural and rural lifestyle, while England had a more civilized urban lifestyle. The second is that America had a more diverse religious community, while England restrained religious freedom.

Terrific answer, which could also become a model answer.

H3. Discuss any of the debate or discussion topics from the lecture.

I will discuss the topic "George Washington. Was he great, and if so, why?" in the lecture it said that George Washington was not a particularly great General, and that his greatness was in his values. I think that although he was perhaps morally a great person, his fame lies in his brilliant military maneuvers, and ability to inspire his men. Granted in the French and Indian War he made an inept blunder, but after that he by far repaid the debt. In another battle while his commanding officer General Braddock was killed Washington recovered his soldiers and led them in a retreat so that the battle did not turn to a total disaster. Later in his life in the Revolution he led several military encounters that would make history for instance his leading of his downcast troops at the Delaware river to a brilliant victory that totally surprised the british. Washington was able to lead his ragtag American army to victory against the greatest empire in the world, and so I think it is flawed to say that his greatness lies only in his honesty and values.

Fascinating answer, but I do not think George Washington is known to be a particularly brilliant military, or even that smart of his person. His special qualities went beyond intelligence, I think. But certainly you are entitled to your opinion and you argue it well.

-Paul R.

Grade: 89/90. The best homework in the class so far this week! Congratulations.--Andy Schlafly 21:29, 19 February 2011 (EST)