Big Ideas of Government
This principle means laws apply to everyone, including leaders.
The Rule of Law
This document showed that leaders could be limited by law in early years
Magna Carta
This war created debt that led to new taxes on the colonies.
French & Indian War
Why did colonists view British taxes as unfair?
Taxation without representation
How did British actions after the French & Indian War change the relationship between Britain and the colonies?
Britain increased taxes and control, which led colonists to feel their rights were violated and pushed them toward resistance.
This idea explains why government power should not be unlimited.
Limited Government
This agreement showed early ideas of self-government in the colonies.
Mayflower Compact
Why did new taxes increase tension between Britain and the colonies?
Taxation without representation
How did colonial protests show growing unity among the colonies? (give specific examples)
Boycotts, shared protests, cooperation between colonies
Who was named the commander of the Continental Army?
George Washington
Which principle focuses on people having a voice in how they are governed?
Self-Government
Which document or idea most strongly influenced colonial views on individual rights? Explain.
Cato’s Letters (accept: English Bill of Rights with explanation)
Explain how one British action led to increased colonial resistance.
Stamp Act / Sugar Act / Townshend Acts (any with cause-effect explanation)
Why were certain events used to influence public opinion?
Propaganda
Explain how colonial ideas about government still influence society today.
Ideas like limited government, rights, and rule of law shape modern democracy
Explain how two principles of government work together to protect citizens.
Limited government and rule of law (accept: due process and individual rights with explanation)
How did one English document influence colonial beliefs about limiting government power?
English Bill of Rights (limited monarch, protected rights)
How did multiple events together push colonists closer to independence?
British taxes and punishments led to protests, unity, and resistance
Explain why British punishments often had the opposite effect than intended.
They united colonists and increased resistance (Intolerable Acts)
Put these events in correct chronological order:
Boston Massacre, Intolerable Acts, Stamp Act, Tea Act, French & Indian War
French & Indian War → Stamp Act → Boston Massacre → Tea Act → Intolerable Acts
Which principle would be most threatened if a government ignored fair legal procedures? Explain why.
Due Process (accept: Individual Rights if clearly explained)
Choose one founding document or idea and explain why it mattered to the colonists’ push for independence.
Common Sense (accept any founding document with strong reasoning
Explain how economic pressure and political ideas combined to cause revolution.
Taxes created anger; ideas about rights and liberty justified independence
Which event do you believe most increased colonial unity? Defend your answer.
Intolerable Acts / Stamp Act / Boston Massacre (any with justification)
Petitioned the king to repeal the Intolerable Acts -Called for a boycott of British goods.
Encouraged colonies to prepare militias for possible conflict.
Decide the Rights each colony wanted