English I, Honors Modern World History and United States History I
Mr. Barrett, Mr. Lang and Mr. Wolgemuth

Following are seven chapter response questions and one final question. Choose three of the seven chapter questions on which to write a one- to two-page double-spaced typed response. All students are to complete the final assignment question. These four short papers are due on the first day of school and account for test grades in both English and History. Number and label your papers in correspondence to the chapter addressed.

Chapter 1: Sovereign Duty

The text begins with the British perspective as King George III proceeds to address Parliament on October 26, 1775. King George III is described as a reluctant but intelligent leader who knows what duty, patriotism and order require. After his address, debate begins in Parliament as supporters and opponents decide Great Britain's response to the outbreak of hostilities in the American colonies.

Assignment: Summarize the points of view of King George III and his English supporters and the points of view of his English opponents.

Chapter 2: Rabble in Arms

The scene is New England in late 1775. Colonial forces have laid seige to Boston, held by the British. McCullough describes the camps, armies, living conditions, early skirmishes and leaders of both sides. Particular attention is paid to the hardships of late fall and early winter.

Assignment: Compare and contrast the daily living conditions and concerns of the English troops occupying Boston and the colonial citizens residing outside the city.

Chapter 3: Dorchester Heights

McCullough focuses primarily on the leadership and actions of American General George Washington and Colonel Henry Knox and the British General Howe. Tensions escalate as the British abandon Boston to the colonial forces.

Assignment: What were the key causes and effects of Colonel Henry Knox's trip from Ticonderoga to Boston?

Chapter 4: The Lines are Drawn

The growing conflict moves to New York City. The Declaration of Independence has little impact as rumors and sickness circulate among the colonial forces. British troops arrive as the largest armada to ever invade an American harbor. General Washington misjudges the impending attack as the British fleet takes position.

Assignment: Assuming the identity of either a British soldier on Staten Island or a colonial soldier in Manhattan prior to the Battle of Brooklyn, write a letter to your family addressing your opinions and concerns regarding the upcoming battle.

Chapter 5: Field of Battle

The colonial forces under General Washington are badly surprised and defeated by British troops and Hessian mercenaries led by Generals Grant, Clinton and Howe. The colonial forces are routed and retreat by ferry. McCullough concludes by examining the failures of Washington and Howe.

Assignment: Summarize the British battle strategy in the Battle of New York.

Chapter 6: Fortune Frowns

Blame circulates as the colonial forces retreat from New York City and the British troops engage with skirmishes. General Washington's subordinates perceive him as indecisive and faltering, with General Greene losing faith, General Reed shifting his loyalties, and General Lee urging Congress to appoint him leader of the colonial forces. The British capture Forts Washington and Lee. 1776 winds down with British victory seemingly imminent.

Assignment: Assume the identity of General George Washington in the late autumn of 1776. Assess the pros and cons of surrendering to the British.

Chapter 7: Darkest Hour

Washington learns of Reed's betrayal yet acts with decorum. General Lee undermines Washington's authority until his arrogance results in his own capture. Before retiring to New York City to wait out the winter, British General Howe offers peace terms that are refused. With the colonial troops suffering wretchedly, the war nearly lost and the fate of the American colonies almost certain, Washington plans and undertakes desperate attacks.

Assignment: Summarize Washington's military strategy at Trenton and again at Princeton.

Final Assignment

John Adams once claimed, "The history of our Revolution will be one continued lie from one end to the other. The essence of the whole will be that Dr. Franklin's electrical rod smote the earth and out sprang General Washington. That Franklin electrified him with his rod and thenceforward these two conducted all the policies, negotiations, legislatures and war." In 1776, David McCullough has sought to dissolve the mythic George Washington alluded to by Adams and instead portray him as a regular man who evolves into a great leader through perseverance.

Assignment: Describe Washington's rollercoaster ride from his assumption of power at Cambridge, through the trials at New York, to his victories at Trenton and Princeton. After having read 1776, what is your view of Washington? Has his image changed? Make certain to back your opinion with relevant and specific facts.

Glossary

Use the following definitions to assist you in your reading comprehension.

adamant (adj) - very determined; not easily influenced
affable (adj) - good-natured; friendly; easy to talk to
ambiguous (adj) - causing uncertainty or confusion; unclear
amiable (adj) - friendly; pleasant to be with
appraising (adj) - creating an opinion of something's quality
ardent (adj) - feeling passion; felt enthusiastically or eagerly
arduous (adj) - requiring hard work or strenuous effort

belligerent (adj) - hostile; ready to start a fight or a war
benefaction (n) - an act of doing good; an act of charity

calamity (n) - a disastrous situation; misery or distress
conciliation (n) - action taken to reach an agreement
conspicuous (adj) - easily visible; attracting attention
contempt (n) - a powerful feeling of dislike or superiority
contemptible (adj) - deserving to be treated with contempt
correspondence (n) - communication by written messages
countenance (n) - somebody's face; expression; self-control

dauntless (adj) - unlikely to be frightened or discouraged
deportment (n) - the way one stands, sits or moves
dispensation (n) - distribution or giving out of something
disposition (n) - one's usual mood, temperament, inclination
dissipation (n) - overindulgence; disappearance; squandering

egregious (adj) - bad, blatant or extraordinarily ridiculous
entourage (n) - a group of employees under a person of rank
equivocate (v) - to speak ambiguously so as to mislead
exodus (n) - a departure by large numbers of people
expedient (adj) - appropriate, advisable or useful
expeditious (adj) - speedy; carried out promptly or efficiently

idolatry (n) - extreme admiration; fanatical devotion; worship
ignominious (adj) - involving a total loss of dignity or pride
imperturbable (adj) - not easily worried, distressed, agitated
impetuous (adj) - acting on the spur of the moment; reckless
implacable (adj) - impossible to pacify or reduce in strength
impregnable (adj) - too strong to be captured or destroyed
incongruity (n) - something that does not seem appropriate
incredulous (adj) - unable or unwilling to believe; disbelieving
indictment (n) - a formal accusation of a serious crime
indifferent (adj) - showing no care for or interest in something
inexplicable (adj) - incapable of being explained or justified
insolence (n) - an aggressive disrespect in speech or action
intrepid (adj) - fearless and persistent in pursuit of something

martial (adj) - typical of or suitable for soldiers; warlike; fierce
mercenary (n) - a professional soldier paid to fight

obstreperous (adj) - noisily and aggressively uncontrollable

pageantry (n) - highly colorful display or ceremony
perseverance (n) - steady action or belief despite difficulties
piety (n) - strong respectful belief; loyalty; inspired action
posterity (n) - all future generations; one's descendants
prodigious (adj) - impressive in size or amount; amazing
provincial (adj) - unsophisticated; close-minded to new ideas

reconciliation (n) - the ending of conflict; renewing relations
reconnoiter (v) - to explore an area as to gather information
recrimination (n) - a counter-accusation against an accuser
rectitude (adj) - strong moral integrity in character or actions
redoubt (n) - a temporary fortification to defend a position
remunerative (adj) - paying or rewarding with money

solicitous (n) - expressing concern; paying attention to details
sovereign (n) - ruler or head of state; (adj) - having authority

travail (n) - work, especially hard physical labor over time

undaunted (adj) - not afraid; not deterred by fear of defeat
untenable (adj) - lacking sound reasoning; indefensible

vociferous (adj) - in a noisy and determined way of shouting

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wbarrett@tek2000.net, jlang@tek2000.net, kwolgemu@tek2000.net