Assingments % - The American Revolution

Answer prompt question that is in title and then

In responses of 2-3 paragraphs for each question, answer FIVE out of SEVEN of the following: (20 points each)

How did Native Americans resist English/American expansion in the 1750s and 1760s?
How did geography impact colonization in the 17th and 18th centuries?
How did religious tension and divisions impact 17th century New England?
Why did the colonists turn to enslaved African people as workers by the end of the 17th century?
Why did the Patriots win the Revolutionary War?
How did the system of mercantilism work in the 18th century regarding the American colonies?
How did the Constitution embody the ideals of republicanism?

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Writing a Response to the Prompt and Questions

Here’s a step-by-step guide for structuring your answer:

Step 1: Answer the Prompt in the Title (Introduction)

Begin your response with a concise and focused answer to the title prompt. Ensure this section is engaging and provides a foundation for the subsequent analysis. For example:

“The Native American resistance to English/American expansion in the 1750s and 1760s was marked by strategic alliances, armed conflict, and diplomatic efforts to maintain their sovereignty and land against increasing colonial encroachment.”

Step 2: Choose and Answer Five of the Seven Questions

For each question, write 2–3 focused paragraphs. Use the following structure for every response:

1. How did Native Americans resist English/American expansion in the 1750s and 1760s?

Native Americans resisted colonial expansion through warfare, such as the French and Indian War (1754–1763), aligning with the French to counter English settlers.
Leaders like Pontiac organized uprisings (e.g., Pontiac’s Rebellion in 1763), aiming to drive the British out of Native lands. Diplomatically, Native groups negotiated treaties, although many were ultimately broken by settlers.

2. How did geography impact colonization in the 17th and 18th centuries?

Geography influenced settlement patterns, with fertile land in the southern colonies promoting plantation economies reliant on enslaved labor, while rocky terrain in New England fostered small farms and fishing industries.
Natural barriers, like the Appalachian Mountains, limited westward expansion, leading to tensions like those seen in the Proclamation of 1763. Coastal areas allowed ports to thrive, aiding trade and colonization.

3. How did religious tension and divisions impact 17th-century New England?

Puritans seeking religious freedom established strict communities but were intolerant of dissenters, such as Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson, who were exiled for their beliefs.
The Salem Witch Trials (1692) highlighted the impact of religious paranoia and divisions, with accusations rooted in fear of moral and societal decline.

4. Why did the colonists turn to enslaved African people as workers by the end of the 17th century?

The decline of indentured servitude, driven by events like Bacon’s Rebellion (1676), made colonists seek a more permanent labor force.
The transatlantic slave trade provided a steady supply of enslaved Africans, who were exploited for labor-intensive cash crops like tobacco, sugar, and cotton. Racist ideologies justified this system.

5. Why did the Patriots win the Revolutionary War?

The Patriots benefited from superior knowledge of the terrain, the leadership of George Washington, and critical alliances with France.
The British underestimated the resolve of the colonists and struggled with long supply lines, which weakened their war effort. Key victories, such as at Saratoga and Yorktown, turned the tide.

Step 3: Conclude with a Strong Ending

Wrap up your paper with a short paragraph emphasizing the importance of the historical themes discussed and how they shaped the future of the United States.