America - Historical Interpretations

Question 1

Neo-Whig, Hugh Brogan

‘The Tea Party

Answer 1

‘The Tea Party was the last straw for Britain. They were now resolved on very different measures’

Question 2

Neo-Whig, Gordon Wood

‘To the British the Boston Tea Party

Answer 2

‘To the British the Boston Tea Party was the ultimate outrage. It led to the Coercive Acts which convinced Americans once and for all that Parliament had no more right to make laws for them than to tax them’.

Question 3

Conservative, Daniel Boorstin

‘The issue was separation

Answer 3

‘The issue was separation and separation was accomplished. The American revolution was a ‘victory of constitutionalism’ that sought to demand existing rights not encourage social conflict’.

Question 4

Progressive, Charles Beard

‘The point s, that the direct,

Answer 4

‘The point is, that the direct, impelling motive…was the economic advantages which the beneficiaries (that is, the rebels) expected would accrue to themselves first, from their action’.

Question 5

Neo-Whig, Hugh Brogan

‘Problems of trade could

Answer 5

‘problems of trade could never be solved…till [the] Articles [were[ re-drafted…national government needed a thorough overhaul’

Question 6

Neo-Whig, Gordon Wood

‘[The Constitution] saved

Answer 6

‘[The Constitution] saved Congress from the states and the states from themselves’.

Question 7

Neo-Whig, Gordon Wood

‘In fact, it was

Answer 7

‘In fact, it was one of the greatest revolutions the world has known’

Question 8

Radical Left, Howard Zinn

‘The Constitution…serves

Answer 8

‘The Constitution…serves the interests of the wealthy elite’

Question 9

Radical Left, Howard Zinn

‘They [the Founding Fathers]

Answer 9

‘They [the Founding Fathers] certainly did not want an equal balance between slaves and masters, propertyless and property holders, Indians and white’.

Question 10

Radical Left, Howard Zinn

‘[Some] Americans were clearly

Answer 10

‘[Some] Americans were clearly omitted from this circle of united interest’/