Essay Critique; ? #1

All except one of you wrote on either question #1 or #4, with the class evenly divided between the two questions;

#1 asked you discuss the “series of conflict beginning in 1763 the colonists faced that eventually lead to the break with Great Britain;”

and #4 asked you to explain Hamilton’s financial plans and the purpose that they served.

Before I begin the specific criticism of each question, please allow me to state that whenever questions are known in advance, as these were, my expectations are such that most of the facts pertaining to each should be accurate. To me it was obvious that many (perhaps 50%) did no preparation prior. Makes me wonder why I need to prepare a review guide.

Question #1

The question specifically asks you to focus on the year 1763, a year that I have been explaining the importance of for many weeks...

For both England and the colonists, it represents a major turning point, beginning with the end of the French and Indian War. Paramount to Great Britain is the fact that their treasury is near bankruptcy. King Geo. III decides that one way to decrease the cost of military is to “proclaim” that all settlement in the newly claimed lands from France, would be closed to further settlement, due to the threat of Indians, which the colonists ignore. In order to replenish the treasury, he and Parliament impose a series of taxes, such as the Sugar Act. This act is passed in the colonies without any protest (and remember that those living in England are paying 25 times more in taxes than what the colonists are asked to pay). 

This point in colonial-Great Britain relations also spells the end to “Salutary Neglect,” a time when the colonists were left alone by Great Britain. It allowed the colonists to develop their own institutions, ways of governing and traditions. However, Great Britain, after the French and Indian War, felt that since the colonies benefited from this war, they should at least be asked to pay for whatever gains made.

After the passage of the modest Sugar Act, Parliament in need of additional funds, passed the Stamp Act. This act is one that all of you should have discussed, since it leads to what Brinkley describes as the “Stamp Act Crisis.” Without going into much detail here, you should know the events that eventually leads to Parliament reconsidering the Stamp Act and eventually the repeal this tax. Here’s the most important thing to remember that comes from the “crisis;” the colonists are unified on the belief that only their colonial assemblies have the right to pass “direct” taxes (see bottom of p. 111). “Direct” meaning, “internal” taxes. Many missed this point entirely. Never mind what immediately follows (Declaratory Act) since most of you didn’t discuss this, and in the big picture, isn’t all that important, unless you want to play on the arrogance of Parliament. What follows after the repeal of the Stamp Act is the Townshend Acts which Great Britain didn’t feel was a “direct” or internal tax, however, the colonists were now firmly on a “collision course” with Great Britain. Why not use any of the knowledge gained from the last major essay asking you to justify the J. Adams quote, “the revolution was in the hearts and minds of the people before the war commenced...”?  Although I paraphrase here. The AP readers will give points when you introduce relevant information (WHEN IT’S HELPFUL IN ANSWERING THE QUESTION...). The Townshend Acts resulted in the boycott of British  goods (“the non-importation agreement”) and caused the Sons of Liberty to become more active. 

All the above that I have explained only use the absolute date of 1763. Although I haven’t listed the dates of each of the other specific event, there isn’t a pressing need, AS LONG AS YOU DISCUSS THE EVENTS IN A CHRONOLOGIC CONTEXT. In a few cases some failed to do such (negative points off).

Therefore, the next event chronologically that most of you discussed was the “Boston Massacre.” Although, thanks to the propaganda from the Sons of Liberty was perhaps a misnomer (and here is where you discuss how the  colonies have “crossed the Rubicon”).

I believe the above explains my expectation for what I wanted to see in this essay. Lastly, many of those that used the Boston Tea Party (BTP) as a separate crisis leading to the declaration of independence missed the boat, since the BTP was directly responsible for the Intolerable/Coercive Acts. Those that stated that the tea party was a result of the tea tax should have automatically received zeros. Please! I was very clear on this in class. If not, I will entertain your questions in person during “office hours.”


Allow me to start a different post for the next question...