The Roles of Women, African Americans and Foreigners in the American Revolution DBQ

Historical Context: -1st Rhode Island Regiment at the Battle of Bloody Run Brook

Men and women from all walks of life were caught up in the American Revolution. Women served in a variety of ways, including a few who fought on the battlefield. African Americans, free and enslaved alike, served and became some of the war’s earliest heroes. Volunteers from Europe played important roles in the Continental Army, as well.

General Directions: The following thesis question is based on the accompanying documents (1-8). As you analyze the documents, take into account both the source of each document and the author’s point of view. Be sure to:

  1. Carefully read the document-based question. Consider what you already know about this topic. How would you answer the question if you had no documents to examine?
  2. Now, read each document carefully, highlighting key phrases and words that address the document-based question. You may also wish to add comments or notes. Answer the questions that follow each document.
  3. Based on your own knowledge and on the information found in the documents, formulate a thesis that directly answers the question.
  4. Organize supportive and relevant information into a brief outline.
  5. Write a well-organized essay proving your thesis. The essay should be logically presented and should include information both from the documents and from your own knowledge outside of the documents.

Thesis Question: Compare/Contrast the roles played in the American Revolution by women, African Americans, and foreigners.

Directions Part A (48 points): The following documents address the question of whether the American colonists were really justified in waging war against England. Examine each document carefully, and answer the question or questions that follow.

Document #1

The Edenton Ladies' Patriotic Guild signed the following agreement on 25 October 1774. It was subsequently published in British newspapers:

-- Excerpt from "Edenton Ladies' Agreement," 27 October 1774, which appeared in the

Morning Chronicle and London Advertiser, 16 January 1775

1A. According to the above document, how did the ladies of North Carolina plan to prove their patriotism?

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1B. Why do you think it was important to these women to sign this agreement?

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Document #2

2A. What kinds of jobs did women take over from men during the American Revolution?

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2B. How did Deborah Sampson manage to enlist as a solider in the army?

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Document #3

-Molly Pitcher at the Battle on Monmouth

3A. According to legend, Molly Pitcher took over the cannon after her husband dropped from exhaustion. What seems to be the reaction of the other soldiers?

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3B. How is Molly Pitcher represented in this engraving?

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Document #4

The following paragraph was part of an obituary for a leader of the Ladies' Association of Philadelphia.

-- Excerpt from Esther Reed Obituary, Pennsylvania Gazette, 27 September 1780.

4A. In what two ways did women contribute to the American Revolution?

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4B. Why was it important to the women to actually make the shirts themselves?

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Document #5

5A. What group of people did the Militia Act of 1775 affect?

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5B. How did runaway slaves manage to serve in the army despite the ban on slaves?

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Document #6

Source:

6A. Why did so many slaves join the American cause in the Revolutionary War?

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6B. What do you think blacks hoped to gain by fighting in the war?

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6C. How did Peter Salem help to win the Battle of Bunker Hill?

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Document #7

7A. Why were foreign officers welcomed into the Continental Army?

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7B. What specific contributions did foreign volunteers make to the Continental Army?

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Document #8

-Count de Rochambeau, French General of the Land Forces in America

Reviewing the French Troops, British cartoon, 1780

8A. This cartoon was drawn by a British artist. In it he shows the French troops in America. Why would the British care if there were French troops in America?

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8B. How can you tell that the artist was trying to make fun of the French troops. What effect would this have on the British troops?

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Directions Part B (52 points):

Essay

Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs, and a conclusion. Use evidence from at least five documents in the body of the essay. Support your response with relevant facts, examples, and details. Include additional outside information.

Historical Context:

Men and women from all walks of life were caught up in the American Revolution. Women served in a variety of ways, including a few who fought on the battlefield. African Americans, free and enslaved alike, served and became some of the war’s earliest heroes. Volunteers from Europe played important roles in the Continental Army, as well.

Task:

Using information from the documents and your knowledge of social studies, write an essay in which you:

In your essay, be sure to:

  • address all aspects of the Task by accurately analyzing and

interpreting at least five documents.

  • incorporate information from the documents in the body

of the essay.

  • incorporate relevant outside information.
  • support the theme with relevant facts, examples, and details.
  • use a logical and clear pattern of organization.
  • introduce the theme by establishing a framework that is beyond a

simple restatement of the Task or Historical Context and conclude

with a summation of the theme.

Graphic Organizer- American Revolution DBQ

Now that you have reviewed the documents, fill in the chart below with details to assist you with your essay.

Describe the role of Womenduring the American Revolutionary War / DOCUMENT #
Describe the role of African Americans American Revolutionary War / DOCUMENT #
Describe the role of Foreigners American Revolutionary War / DOCUMENT #

Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Use evidence from at least five documents to support your essay. Support your response with relevant facts, examples, and details. Include additional outside information.

Historical Context:

Men and women from all walks of life were caught up in the American Revolution. Women served in a variety of ways, including a few who fought on the battlefield. African Americans, free and enslaved alike, served and became some of the war’s earliest heroes. Volunteers from Europe played important roles in the Continental Army, as well.

Task:

Using information from the documents and your knowledge of social studies, answerthe questions that follow each document in Part A. Your answers to the questions willhelp you write the Part B essay in which you will be asked to

Suggested Outline

Paragraph 1

Introduction - Restate the Historical Context. Do not cite or mention any material from the documents

Paragraph 2

First body paragraph - Answer the first bullet from the ‘Task’: Describe various roles of WOMEN during the American Revolutionary War ** Be sure to include a topic sentence**

Which documents discuss the role WOMENplayed during American Revolutionary War?______

Use these documents to support your answer!

Also, include outside information to support your answer!

Cite the documents that you used - As seen in Document 2 or (Doc 3).

Paragraph 3

Second body paragraph - Answer the Second bullet from the ‘Task’: Describe the various roles of African Americans during the American Revolutionary War. ** Be sure to include a topic sentence**

Which documents discuss the role AFRICAN AMERICANSplayed during American Revolutionary War? ______

Use these documents to support your answer!

Also, include outside information to support your answer!

Cite the documents that you used - As seen in Document 2 or (Doc 3).

Paragraph 4

Third body paragraph - Answer the Third bullet from the ‘Task’: Describe the various roles of FOREIGNERduring the American Revolutionary War.** Be sure to include a topic sentence**

Which documents discuss the role FOREIGNERS played during American Revolutionary War?______

Use these documents to support your answer!

Also, include outside information to support your answer!

Cite the documents that you used - As seen in Document 2 or (Doc 3).

Paragraph 5

Conclusion - Summarize the essay you have written. Information from the documents is not necessary!