History-Debate – American Revolution

You have been divided into two groups.  For this discussion, Group A (Last name A-L) will assume the role of an individual who supported the American Revolution (a Patriot or Whig), while Group B (Last name M-Z) will argue against it as Loyalist or Tory citizens.

Loyalist James Chalmers, under the pseudonym of Candidus, wrote Plain Truth in response to Thomas Paine’s famous pamphlet Common Sense.  You can select the enclosed link to read Thomas Paine at Gutenberg Project. Then read the excerpted text from Chalmers, shaping your statement in support or in opposition to Chalmers’ argument.  Try not to make assumptions.

Instead, assume the historical role of someone who lived in the colonies in the period up to, and including, the American Revolution. You could be a Colonial politician, a merchant, a farmer, a shop owner, or even a Southern plantation owner. Be creative. After your initial submission, you are then required to continue the debate by responding to three of your classmates.

Your initial response is due by 11:55pm, ET, Friday and your responses to 3 other students by 11:55pm, ET, Sunday.  [1] Excerpt taken from: Drake, Allison Stark.  Headlines From History:  The Boston Massacre      Five Colonists Killed By British Soldiers.  New York:  The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc., 2001 ***MY LAST NAME BEGINS WITH S, SO i AM IN GROUP B AND NEED A AN ARGUMENT AGAINST THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AS A LOYALIST OR TORY CITIZEN***