3. Respond to parts a, b, and c.
a. Briefly describe one major difference between the Loyalists’ and Patriots’ perspectives during the American Revolution.
b. Briefly explain how the influence of Enlightenment ideas could be used to support the Patriots’ cause during the American Revolution.
c. Briefly explain how the British government’s response to colonial protests, such as the Intolerable Acts, could be used to support the Loyalists’ perspective during the American Revolution.
Sample Perfect Answer:
b.) The influence of Enlightenment ideas strongly supported the Patriots’ cause during the American Revolution. Enlightenment philosophers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau advocated for the natural rights of individuals, including life, liberty, and property. The Patriots invoked these ideas to argue that the British government was infringing upon their natural rights by imposing taxes without representation and violating their liberties. The concept of the social contract, where government derives its authority from the consent of the governed, justified their resistance to British rule. In essence, Enlightenment philosophy provided a moral and intellectual framework for the Patriots to justify their pursuit of independence.
c.) The British government’s response to colonial protests through measures like the Intolerable Acts can be used to support the Loyalists’ perspective by emphasizing the need for order and the rule of law. Loyalists could argue that the Intolerable Acts were a necessary step to maintain British sovereignty and parliamentary authority over the colonies. They might contend that the acts were a justified response to the Boston Tea Party’s destruction of property and that such measures were needed to restore stability and respect for British laws. Furthermore, Loyalists could assert that the acts provided an opportunity for the colonies to return to the fold and enjoy the protection and benefits of the British Empire, which they believed was a force for good, stability, and prosperity in an otherwise uncertain world.
How This Answer Earns a Perfect Score:
The provided answer effectively addresses all three parts of the prompt in alignment with APUSH scoring standards:
Part a: The response provides a clear and concise description of a major difference between Loyalists and Patriots during the American Revolution. It correctly identifies their opposing views on British rule, demonstrating a solid understanding of the topic. The response is well-structured and directly addresses the question. It would likely receive a full score.
Part b: The response offers a comprehensive explanation of how Enlightenment ideas supported the Patriots’ cause during the American Revolution. It correctly identifies key Enlightenment philosophers and their ideas, connects those ideas to the Patriots’ arguments, and provides historical context. The response is clear, well-structured, and directly addresses the question. It would likely receive a full score.
Part c: The provided response is exemplary in its clarity and succinctness, adeptly capturing the essence of the Loyalists’ stance during the American Revolution. It articulates the Loyalists’ rationale in supporting the British government’s measures, such as the Intolerable Acts, by highlighting their commitment to law and order and the perceived necessity of maintaining imperial authority. The response is structured effectively, presenting a logical progression of ideas that align with the Loyalists’ viewpoint, and it avoids extraneous information, focusing solely on the question at hand.
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