The Discuccion

It was definitely fairer for the fair, since taxation without representation
Britain abolished slavery in 1807, USA in 1865, although it had declined before the invention of the cotton gin
People could live near the frontier and gain new land, opposed to the Proclamation Line

Did the Revolution give people the chance to erect a new world different from the Old World of Europe?

Were the British excessively brutal in their tactics aimed at quelling and then fighting the American rebels? (source)

The British thought of it entirely as a rebellion, insurrection
Captured prisoners were not given usual protection, they were traitors
British massacres as a tool
Lex talionis (an eye for an eye) - Loyalist murdered by patriot, Patriot hanged due to Loyalist killing, British taken to scaffold for Patriot’s death
The brutal ‘campaign of terror’ planned by George Washington in Iroquoia in 1779, ⅓ of the Contienntal Army burned down at least 41 Amerindian villages, desecrated graves, raped women, mutilated/skinned bodies
pursue “the total destruction and devastation of their settlements and the capture of as many prisoners of every age and sex as possible. It will be essential to ruin their crops now in the ground and prevent their planting more,”

Were the British taxes justified? Should the British have given the 13 colonies representation in government/in parliament?

Symbolically yes, had to appear powerful, it could enforce it through its mighty navy anyway
Lead to anger, especially stamp act, cards were stamped

Was the Continental Army or were the militias more important in bring about a victory to the Revolution?

Were the British landowners/aristocracy more sympathetic toward the Amerindians than the Americans and would they have continued this?

Was the 3/5 slave compromise really the best option/compromise? (https://www.britannica.com/topic/three-fifths-compromise)

How to determine population? Northern States wanted only free population counted
Southern delegates threatened to quit if slaves were not counted.
Population determined taxes

In the film, many houses are burned down, but why exactly was this done? (Was there a reason besides its demoralizing effect?)

Should the French have stayed out of the conflict? (look at it mainly from a French perspective)
In the movie Benjamin Martin is opposing against the independence in a fear of war. He was accused of not being a man of principal as he was in his youth. What is meant by this? What does he mean that as a parent he no longer has the privilege? (him faithfully, in any situation following his wishes and beliefs. also connected to the idea of patriotism. as a parent he has to put his kids’ beliefs and wellbeing first)

“I cannot and will not fight and I will not vote for other to fight for me” Agree or oppose?

Is there a difference between war and murder (Gabriel’s concerne of killing Brits after they were ready to retreat) (hoping for students to also use previous knowlegde from Brit Lit courses, justification of war due to the goals set for its outcome. also can be tied to the ending of the movie, where Marten calls his sons the better men)

What could be said about the willingness of kids to go to war? Can Patriotism be taken too far? (connect the kids’ worldview with the massive desire for independence and the upbringing)

What caused the Brits to lose the war in the end? (Hoping for answers about Cornwallis’ ignorance and arrogance that also led to his death)
Now when we are past the pursuing of independence, if you remember from the presentation now is the time for new laws. In comparison with today’s situation, which amendments were unfair or unnecessary or which ones have caused the most damage

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