Taxes, freedom of speech and power were all things that led up to conflict.
The British devised a new system of Government that brought an uprising led by the rich and by power. The colonists thought that the British should leave their rights alone and not change them, they thought that without Kings they could govern themselves.The colonists admires everything England.
The real power was in the hands of Aristocracy. This power thought that the founding fathers who were George Washington, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, were "insignificant prudentials." They were looked down upon because, even though they were wealthy, they were commoners. Virginia said that they were not respected in England and that they were imposed on because they enforced the Stamp Act in which items with a stamp are taxed. Some people today say that this was one of the "dumbest acts in the history of Governments" and that the "power to tax was the power to destroy."
Friday, October 31, 2008
Text Analysis for "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death"
Who is writing?
Patrick Henry wrote the speech “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” addressed to the House of Burgesses.
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Who is the audience?
The audience is the House of Burgesses; Patrick Henry was trying to persuade them to pass a motion which would send Virginian troops to the Revolutionary War.
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Who does the writer represent?
The writer represents himself and also, the troops he is wanting to send to war. I think he represents himself because he wrote this speech with his ideas in mind of what he wanted to address. The troops are also represented because the speech is talking about sending them into the war, which is what the speech is about.
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>
What is being said?
Patrick Henry is addressing the House of Burgesses arguing that they should send Virginian troops to the Revolutionary War. Patrick Henry implies that “[n]o man thinks more highly than I do of the Patriotism…” Henry also states, to those troops he arguing to be sent, that he “…hope[s] it will not be disrespectful to those gentlemen” who see this “subject in [a] different [light].” Henry is also saying that he wants freedom for the country.
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>
How is it being said?
I think that Patrick Henry’s speech is being said strong and straight forward, but also respectful. I think it is straight forward and strong because he is saying what he thinks and how he thinks it should be, also why it should be that way. However, he is respectful about it, for instance, when he talked about the troops, who see different views of the subject, he said he did not mean to cause disrespect to them, he was just stating his opinion of the matter.
<
>
What proof and/or justification is being said?
I think that the proof of what is being said is the entire document itself because this is the speech that Patrick Henry himself wrote about what he was wanting in terms of the troops and war.
Patrick Henry wrote the speech “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” addressed to the House of Burgesses.
<
>
Who is the audience?
The audience is the House of Burgesses; Patrick Henry was trying to persuade them to pass a motion which would send Virginian troops to the Revolutionary War.
<
>
Who does the writer represent?
The writer represents himself and also, the troops he is wanting to send to war. I think he represents himself because he wrote this speech with his ideas in mind of what he wanted to address. The troops are also represented because the speech is talking about sending them into the war, which is what the speech is about.
<
>
What is being said?
Patrick Henry is addressing the House of Burgesses arguing that they should send Virginian troops to the Revolutionary War. Patrick Henry implies that “[n]o man thinks more highly than I do of the Patriotism…” Henry also states, to those troops he arguing to be sent, that he “…hope[s] it will not be disrespectful to those gentlemen” who see this “subject in [a] different [light].” Henry is also saying that he wants freedom for the country.
<
>
How is it being said?
I think that Patrick Henry’s speech is being said strong and straight forward, but also respectful. I think it is straight forward and strong because he is saying what he thinks and how he thinks it should be, also why it should be that way. However, he is respectful about it, for instance, when he talked about the troops, who see different views of the subject, he said he did not mean to cause disrespect to them, he was just stating his opinion of the matter.
<
>
What proof and/or justification is being said?
I think that the proof of what is being said is the entire document itself because this is the speech that Patrick Henry himself wrote about what he was wanting in terms of the troops and war.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Summaries for Text Analysis:
Summary: Circular Letter of the Boston Committee of Correspondence.
--The Committee of Correspondence document is about the start of colonists asking for their own "natural justice" or rights. They are writing a letter to Parliament asking this and telling them that "...persons inimical to and deeply prejudiced against inhabitants...by an Act to punish them..." They also expressed, in the conclusion of this letter that they are "...not in the least intimidated by [the] inhumane treatment." " [W]e are still determined to maintain to the utmost of our abilities the rights of America;" although they knew that the British had really no interest in their rights, they still fought for them.
Summary: Letter from New York Committee of Fifty-One to the Boston Committee of Correspondence.
--This document is the response letter from the British Parliament to the countrymen of the last document. The Parliament expresses thanks to the people of the first letter, however, they said that they would take their thoughts about their rights into consideration. They also said that they were going to "appoint a large committee." The Parliament told the countrymen that "[they] shall continue to act with a firm and becoming regard to American freedom," later on saying that they would "...carry it into execution."
Summary: Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress.
--The Declaration is implementing the resolutions of the Congress. The British Parliament states that they have the right to "bind the people of America," by establishing a board of commissioners. This document is stating all the resolutions to what the Parliament had decided. Deciding that the colonists had "...their rights and liberties." Entitling them "...to life, liberty and property."
--The Committee of Correspondence document is about the start of colonists asking for their own "natural justice" or rights. They are writing a letter to Parliament asking this and telling them that "...persons inimical to and deeply prejudiced against inhabitants...by an Act to punish them..." They also expressed, in the conclusion of this letter that they are "...not in the least intimidated by [the] inhumane treatment." " [W]e are still determined to maintain to the utmost of our abilities the rights of America;" although they knew that the British had really no interest in their rights, they still fought for them.
Summary: Letter from New York Committee of Fifty-One to the Boston Committee of Correspondence.
--This document is the response letter from the British Parliament to the countrymen of the last document. The Parliament expresses thanks to the people of the first letter, however, they said that they would take their thoughts about their rights into consideration. They also said that they were going to "appoint a large committee." The Parliament told the countrymen that "[they] shall continue to act with a firm and becoming regard to American freedom," later on saying that they would "...carry it into execution."
Summary: Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress.
--The Declaration is implementing the resolutions of the Congress. The British Parliament states that they have the right to "bind the people of America," by establishing a board of commissioners. This document is stating all the resolutions to what the Parliament had decided. Deciding that the colonists had "...their rights and liberties." Entitling them "...to life, liberty and property."
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Essay #1 Reflection
>>>>>The second day of class is when we truly started the essay process, though most of us didn’t realize that until a couple of weeks ago. Until then, I wondered why we were doing all of these different things that, at the time, seemed out of the blue. As I sit here, excited that my Bacon’s Rebellion essay is completed, I’m thankful for all of the things we did in class, though sometimes it was boring. If it wasn’t for what we learned in class, I bet that our essays wouldn’t be as well written as they are now. The writing process for me, was long and sometimes complicated, however I know my essay is well written and I learned new things about my writing process's, I learned that outlines are what really helped me. I think that as I look back at my writing philosophy I think I fulfilled it, though expressing "me" in my writing, not in a boring way, was harder than I thought it would be. But I do think that it turned out well and that I did pretty much stick to my philosophy. Writing about history was different than I expected to, in the beginning it was difficult however as we moved on, getting new sources and started formulating what part of Bacon's Rebellion we would really focus on, it became easier. It was very beneficial to learn about different interpretations from other writers, and how that could influence our writing and perspectives. Also, it was beneficial by using different templates to enhance our writing. It wasn’t necessarily about what others wanted from us; it was about what we wanted to share to them. I thought the writing process greatly influenced the quality in my essay and I feel that it is a great turnout!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Text Analysis: Stamp Act Congress of 1765
-Who wrote it?
The Continental Congress wrote the Stamp Act of 1765.
-Who is the audience?
The audience is all the people of the British colonies since it talks specifically about the Majesty’s “subjects” of these colonies.
-Who do the writers represent?
I think that the writers represent the British subjects of the colonies. The document specifically repeats the “subjects” as though they are represented.
-What is being said?
What is being said in the Stamp Act is that this is “an act for granting and applying certain stamp duties” on the colonies, to their “Majesty.”
-How is it being said?
I think this is being said firmly because it is a set of “duties.” It is also being said calmly, not harsh like most other documents, just saying what the want to say composed.
-What proof and/or justification is being used?
I think that the proof of this document comes in the introduction where it says “[h]is Majesty’s Person and Government, inviolably attached to the present happy establishment of the Protestant Succession…impending the misfortunes of British colonies.” I think it is implying that they experienced a lot of hardship from British colonies justifying this document.
The Continental Congress wrote the Stamp Act of 1765.
-Who is the audience?
The audience is all the people of the British colonies since it talks specifically about the Majesty’s “subjects” of these colonies.
-Who do the writers represent?
I think that the writers represent the British subjects of the colonies. The document specifically repeats the “subjects” as though they are represented.
-What is being said?
What is being said in the Stamp Act is that this is “an act for granting and applying certain stamp duties” on the colonies, to their “Majesty.”
-How is it being said?
I think this is being said firmly because it is a set of “duties.” It is also being said calmly, not harsh like most other documents, just saying what the want to say composed.
-What proof and/or justification is being used?
I think that the proof of this document comes in the introduction where it says “[h]is Majesty’s Person and Government, inviolably attached to the present happy establishment of the Protestant Succession…impending the misfortunes of British colonies.” I think it is implying that they experienced a lot of hardship from British colonies justifying this document.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Bacon's Rebellion Reflection
>>>>>The second day of class is when we truly started the essay process, though most of us didn’t realize that until a couple of weeks ago. Until then, I wondered why we were doing all of these different things that, at the time, seemed out of the blue. As I sit here, excited that my Bacon’s Rebellion essay is completed, I’m thankful for all of the things Craig and Ben have made us do, though sometimes it was boring. If it wasn’t for what they taught us, I bet that our essays wouldn’t be as well written as they are now. The writing process for me, was long and sometimes complicated, however I know my essay is well written and not put together an hour before it was due. It was very beneficial to learn about different interpretations from other writers, and how that could influence our writing. Also, it was beneficial by using different templates to enhance our writing. It wasn’t necessarily about what others wanted from us; it was about what we wanted to share to them. I thought the writing process greatly influenced the quality in my essay and I feel that it is a great turnout!
Final Draft: During Bacon's Rebellion, why did mass consumption of tobacco from colonies affect the decreasing price?
>>>>> There were many contributing factors that affected the price of tobacco during Bacon's Rebellion. Those contributing factors caused the decrease in tobacco prices. A number of authors and historians have suggested that there are many reasons for Bacon’s Rebellion. The primary contributing factors were tobacco taxation, production and health reasons. Though these all connect to the cause of tobacco’s decreasing price, supply and demand has the greatest effect.
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>
>>>>>In the Chesapeake, increased supply made the cost of tobacco affordable to both the rich and the poor. The Virginia Company started to produce and trade tobacco which attracted indulgence of tobacco. At first, the "...Virginia Company had no plans to grow and sell tobacco [,]" (Roark pg.77) however, “John Rolfe… planted West Indian tobacco seeds in 1612 and learned they flourished in Virginia” (Roark pg.77). Since the amount of tobacco produced increased, tobacco became affordable to a wider range of people, not just the wealthy. Tobacco "...became an affordable indulgence used often by many people" (Roark pg.77). Due to affordability colonists, slaves and Native Americans became consumed by tobacco. The availability gave all people the option to smoke tobacco. Some colonists said, “[e]veryone smokes while working or idling" (Roark pg.77). The cost of tobacco caused more intensive work for colonists to farm crop on the fields in Virginia.
>
>
>>>>>Tobacco farming needs caused the settlers to keep up with consumption demands by accumulating more land to grow the crop. The demand for land to grow tobacco was very important to Bacon’s Rebellion. Without land there was less growth of tobacco crops. This caused invasion onto Native American lands. There was a large demand for tobacco, and for hard labor from settlers, to produce enough to meet the tobacco demand. As the demand for tobacco increased, production of enough tobacco crops was essential. This demand caused more work for the settlers. The "...planters grew as much tobacco as possible” (Roark pg.77). The planters, whom were overworked, consisted mostly of indentured servants and slaves, both black and white. It was said that “the English settlers worked hard because their labor promised greater rewards…” (Roark pg.77). The hard work from these settlers meant that they received certain rewards for their work, such as land or time taken off of their indentured servitude. Having enough land was vital for planters to grow enough tobacco. Colonists cleared lands to plant tobacco crop in a unique way. The colonists cleared lands to plant tobacco by clearing all trees, but leaving the stumps, and planting around them. The American Promise by James L. Roark says that “Girdling brought sunlight to clearing but left fields studded with tree stumps, making the use of plows impractical” (Roark pg. 77). “Girdling” is a process where the colonists cut a ring around the tree, eventually causing the tree to die. This process allowed planters to produce more tobacco crop for trade.
>
>
>>>>>In the 1600’s, tobacco was traded in many different ways to many different colonies. The increase in trade and demand affected the cost of tobacco, causing the price to decrease. Tobacco was mostly traded from the Chesapeake to the Europeans. English colonists traded tobacco which was sold mostly in European markets. “…English colonists in North America sent so much tobacco to European markets that it became an affordable indulgence used often by many people” (Roark pg.77). Europe decided the cost of tobacco colonists grew and sold. “The colonists grew tobacco to sell to English but English set the price” (Zinn and Stefoff pg. 39). With the price set by the Europeans, the colonists would grow the tobacco then sell it for a price less than they expected. Trade was an important way for colonists to increase tobacco consumption. Physicians told the consumers that tobacco was good for their health, causing them to use more tobacco.
>
>
>>>>>Colonists in the Chesapeake also consumed large amounts of tobacco because physicians and doctors told the settlers that smoking tobacco was an herbal way to “cleanse” your body. These people called it a “holy drug” by which you could be cured. The American Promise by James L. Roark wrote about these beliefs, that “physicians praised it as a wonder drug.” Some settlers did not believe that this was true. They believed it was harmful to their bodies and to their own health. England’s King James contradicted that smoking was healthy by saying that smoking was “A custome lothsome to the eye , hatefull to the the Nose, harmefull to the braine, dangerous to the Lungs, and in the blacke stinking fume thereof, nearest resembling the horrible…smoke of the pit that is bottomelesse” (Roark pg. 80). Today the known health effects of tobacco have worsened.
>
>
>>>>> Americans today tend to believe that consuming tobacco is bad for your health. Consuming tobacco has remained quite popular today, however, we now have strict laws and there are more harmful effects caused by the use of tobacco and heightened concerns of secondhand smoke. Tobacco consumption has been booming in recent times. Due to popular demand, use of tobacco has increased dramatically. Throughout the last decade, unlike the Chesapeake, tobacco prices have increased. Tobacco is sold with a “Sin tax” which is a tax levied on specific goods. This tax has increased the cost of tobacco which is causing it to become more and more expensive. Recently we have had tougher laws towards smoking because of the effects of secondhand smoke on non-smokers. Recent laws have prohibited smokers from smoking within 25ft of a building and in public places; the Washington State Legislature passed the law, RCW 70.160.030, which states that “No person may smoke in a public place or in any place of employment.” Tobacco continues to affect boundary lines today. Tobacco also has very harmful effects which are more harmful to your body than in the Chesapeake times. A lifetime or less of smoking can cause cancers and lung diseases. Within tobacco, makers have included additives to cigarettes, causing people to become more addicted. Truth.com says that "Because of the tobacco industry’s products, about 339 people in the U.S. die of lung cancer every day" (Truth facts). They also say that “[i]n the U.S., 34,693 people die each year from cancers other than lung, trachea, and bronchus caused by smoking" (Truth facts). These long term effects severely cause trauma to the human body and eventually may cause death.
>
>
>>>>>Tobacco prices had become affordable to everyone, not only the rich. Since these prices decreased and it became an affordable indulgence, settlers became more addicted to smoking tobacco. In conclusion, I agree that these reasons were all significant during Bacon’s Rebellion. Action was caused by a supply and demand effect of producing and using tobacco. Because of this supply and demand, there was an influx of decreasing prices in tobacco during the 1600’s, which increased popularity. The increased popularity in smoking raised health issues which remain today.
>
Citations:
- Tobacco and Slaves: The Development of Southern Cultures in the Chesapeake, 1680-1800. By Allan Kulikoff
http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=NCvU9_bj-1QC&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq=Bacon%27s+Rebellion+tobacco+consumption&ots=AxtdkPGJKd&sig=kKrpNAWlGMfwQK1Bsm11x3f1Mhc
- http://www.thetruth.com/facts/facts.cfm?category=135
-http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=70.160.030
>
>
>>>>>In the Chesapeake, increased supply made the cost of tobacco affordable to both the rich and the poor. The Virginia Company started to produce and trade tobacco which attracted indulgence of tobacco. At first, the "...Virginia Company had no plans to grow and sell tobacco [,]" (Roark pg.77) however, “John Rolfe… planted West Indian tobacco seeds in 1612 and learned they flourished in Virginia” (Roark pg.77). Since the amount of tobacco produced increased, tobacco became affordable to a wider range of people, not just the wealthy. Tobacco "...became an affordable indulgence used often by many people" (Roark pg.77). Due to affordability colonists, slaves and Native Americans became consumed by tobacco. The availability gave all people the option to smoke tobacco. Some colonists said, “[e]veryone smokes while working or idling" (Roark pg.77). The cost of tobacco caused more intensive work for colonists to farm crop on the fields in Virginia.
>
>
>>>>>Tobacco farming needs caused the settlers to keep up with consumption demands by accumulating more land to grow the crop. The demand for land to grow tobacco was very important to Bacon’s Rebellion. Without land there was less growth of tobacco crops. This caused invasion onto Native American lands. There was a large demand for tobacco, and for hard labor from settlers, to produce enough to meet the tobacco demand. As the demand for tobacco increased, production of enough tobacco crops was essential. This demand caused more work for the settlers. The "...planters grew as much tobacco as possible” (Roark pg.77). The planters, whom were overworked, consisted mostly of indentured servants and slaves, both black and white. It was said that “the English settlers worked hard because their labor promised greater rewards…” (Roark pg.77). The hard work from these settlers meant that they received certain rewards for their work, such as land or time taken off of their indentured servitude. Having enough land was vital for planters to grow enough tobacco. Colonists cleared lands to plant tobacco crop in a unique way. The colonists cleared lands to plant tobacco by clearing all trees, but leaving the stumps, and planting around them. The American Promise by James L. Roark says that “Girdling brought sunlight to clearing but left fields studded with tree stumps, making the use of plows impractical” (Roark pg. 77). “Girdling” is a process where the colonists cut a ring around the tree, eventually causing the tree to die. This process allowed planters to produce more tobacco crop for trade.
>
>
>>>>>In the 1600’s, tobacco was traded in many different ways to many different colonies. The increase in trade and demand affected the cost of tobacco, causing the price to decrease. Tobacco was mostly traded from the Chesapeake to the Europeans. English colonists traded tobacco which was sold mostly in European markets. “…English colonists in North America sent so much tobacco to European markets that it became an affordable indulgence used often by many people” (Roark pg.77). Europe decided the cost of tobacco colonists grew and sold. “The colonists grew tobacco to sell to English but English set the price” (Zinn and Stefoff pg. 39). With the price set by the Europeans, the colonists would grow the tobacco then sell it for a price less than they expected. Trade was an important way for colonists to increase tobacco consumption. Physicians told the consumers that tobacco was good for their health, causing them to use more tobacco.
>
>
>>>>>Colonists in the Chesapeake also consumed large amounts of tobacco because physicians and doctors told the settlers that smoking tobacco was an herbal way to “cleanse” your body. These people called it a “holy drug” by which you could be cured. The American Promise by James L. Roark wrote about these beliefs, that “physicians praised it as a wonder drug.” Some settlers did not believe that this was true. They believed it was harmful to their bodies and to their own health. England’s King James contradicted that smoking was healthy by saying that smoking was “A custome lothsome to the eye , hatefull to the the Nose, harmefull to the braine, dangerous to the Lungs, and in the blacke stinking fume thereof, nearest resembling the horrible…smoke of the pit that is bottomelesse” (Roark pg. 80). Today the known health effects of tobacco have worsened.
>
>
>>>>> Americans today tend to believe that consuming tobacco is bad for your health. Consuming tobacco has remained quite popular today, however, we now have strict laws and there are more harmful effects caused by the use of tobacco and heightened concerns of secondhand smoke. Tobacco consumption has been booming in recent times. Due to popular demand, use of tobacco has increased dramatically. Throughout the last decade, unlike the Chesapeake, tobacco prices have increased. Tobacco is sold with a “Sin tax” which is a tax levied on specific goods. This tax has increased the cost of tobacco which is causing it to become more and more expensive. Recently we have had tougher laws towards smoking because of the effects of secondhand smoke on non-smokers. Recent laws have prohibited smokers from smoking within 25ft of a building and in public places; the Washington State Legislature passed the law, RCW 70.160.030, which states that “No person may smoke in a public place or in any place of employment.” Tobacco continues to affect boundary lines today. Tobacco also has very harmful effects which are more harmful to your body than in the Chesapeake times. A lifetime or less of smoking can cause cancers and lung diseases. Within tobacco, makers have included additives to cigarettes, causing people to become more addicted. Truth.com says that "Because of the tobacco industry’s products, about 339 people in the U.S. die of lung cancer every day" (Truth facts). They also say that “[i]n the U.S., 34,693 people die each year from cancers other than lung, trachea, and bronchus caused by smoking" (Truth facts). These long term effects severely cause trauma to the human body and eventually may cause death.
>
>
>>>>>Tobacco prices had become affordable to everyone, not only the rich. Since these prices decreased and it became an affordable indulgence, settlers became more addicted to smoking tobacco. In conclusion, I agree that these reasons were all significant during Bacon’s Rebellion. Action was caused by a supply and demand effect of producing and using tobacco. Because of this supply and demand, there was an influx of decreasing prices in tobacco during the 1600’s, which increased popularity. The increased popularity in smoking raised health issues which remain today.
>
Citations:
- Tobacco and Slaves: The Development of Southern Cultures in the Chesapeake, 1680-1800. By Allan Kulikoff
http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=NCvU9_bj-1QC&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq=Bacon%27s+Rebellion+tobacco+consumption&ots=AxtdkPGJKd&sig=kKrpNAWlGMfwQK1Bsm11x3f1Mhc
- http://www.thetruth.com/facts/facts.cfm?category=135
-http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=70.160.030
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