1754- French & Indian War (History)

1763- Proclamation of 1763 (History)

1770- Boston Massacre (History)
1771- The beginning of the Autobiography by Benjamin Franklin (English)
1774- Intolerable Acts (History)
1774- First Continental Congress (History)
1774- Letters of John and Abigail Adams from the Continental Congress (English)
1775- Patrick Henry’s Speech to the Virginia Convention (English)
1776- Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson (English)
1776- The Crisis by Thomas Paine (English)

● The French and Indian War in December of 1754 was sparked by the French and British
attempting to claim a similar land area. Although the Indians sided with the French, the
British won the war but were put into debt, causing them to demand higher revenue from
the colonies. This thematically connects to the economy because the taxing led to an
economic outrage from the colonists against the British.

● King George III signed the Proclamation of 1763 on October 7th, 1763 which prohibited
settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains. This upset the colonists because it
required settlers already in this region to move east of the mountains. It connects to
politics and power because it shows the King’s authority still in the Americas.

● The Boston Massacre was on March 5th, 1770 and occurred when colonists and British
soldiers openly clashed in Boston. It is an example of British cruelty and 5 colonists were
killed as shots were fired. This represents power because it shows each side standing
their ground against authority.

● “These libraries have improved the general conversation of the Americans, made the
common tradesmen and farmers as intelligent as most gentlemen from other countries,
and perhaps have contributed in some degree to the stand so generally made
throughout the colonies in defense of their privileges.”
○ This quote by Benjamin Franklin in his autobiography exhibits his point of view on
intellectual capability and how the privilege of learning centers such as libraries
affects Americans. Franklin wrote his autobiography from 1771 to 1790, and he
wrote so he could best advance his ideas. Franklin uses specific examples of
how America has improved through being educated. This quote relates to the
author best because Franklin uses his direct views on the effect of libraries in the
nation.

● The Intolerable Acts were passed by British colonists on May 24th, 1774 in response to
the hurtful Boston Tea Party. There were 4 different acts signed, and each placed more
restrictions on colonists, along with the closing of the Boston harbor. A thematic
connection to the economy arose because of an access to work and exchange being
shut down.
● The First Continental Congress was held from September 5th to October 26th in 1774.
12 of the 13 colonies met up to discuss in Philadelphia, and established “The
Association” which called for a boycott of British goods. This connects to America in the
world because it shows America's developments with trade and the rising of the nation's
powerful authority.

● “A Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored.

Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.”
○ The letters John Adams writes to Abigail Adams during the Continental Congress
span from 1744 to 1777. Adams uses exaggeration because an inanimate object
cannot be actually lost forever, but it adds to Adam’s message. He is creating the
idea that freedom is not something that comes for free, and must be held onto.
He uses purpose to prove his warning about the costliness of losing liberty.

● “Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature
hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty,
and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our
enemy can send against us.”
○ Patrick Henry defends the people of the nation by explaining their holy cause of
liberty. He uses a personal voice and tone to refer to the American people
together, and he presents himself in a way where he appears equal to all other
colonists. The occasion is the most important reference. He locks onto the idea
of American people’s readiness to stand up for liberty.

● “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal; that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
○ The Declaration of Independence is known as the nation’s most cherished
symbol of liberty, and this quote displays that statement well. It connects with
themes because it links with “truths to be held self-evident”. The quote also refers
specifically to the speaker because it uses “we” to represent the American
people. Referencing to the nation’s people this way was a big deal because
using “we” to describe everyone has the quote be interpreted as recognizing
everyone as equal.

● “What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives
everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it
would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated.”
○ The Crisis by Thomas Paine advocated for American independence, and this
quote directly shows Paine’s view on the price of freedom. The quote uses ethos
because he relates the public with himself through the description of his ethics.
Paine also exemplifies his purpose. He makes it clear how the price you have to
pay for freedom is worth it and freedom must be earned.