The wagon clattered over the cobblestones of the landing, taking her new piano home.
AMERICAN CHALLENGE:
BONUS EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
LYDIA THE PATRIOT:
THE BOSTON MASSACRE
VOCABULARY WORDS
Bloodyback and Lobsterback—disrespectful names that colonists called British soldiers because of the bright red coats of their uniforms
“Let’s see you fire! Lobsterback! Bloodyback! You won’t dare fire!”
boycott—refusing to have anything to do with something (such as a person, organization, or products) usually to express disapproval or to force acceptance of conditions or terms
In many ways, life in the colonies was no different than life in England—at least, it hadn’t been until people had started to boycott British goods.
colony—a group of people who live in a new territory and are ruled by their mother country
Since Massachusetts was a British colony, Stephen had always accepted that it was logical for British soldiers to be there.
dillydally—to waste time by hanging around or delaying
His usual afternoon routine was to wait for Lydia, who liked to dillydally after school, and the two of them would walk home together.
flippant—not having proper respect or seriousness
“Lydia, don’t be flippant,” warned Aunt Dancy.
frock—a woman’s or girl’s dress
“If I muss up my frock, Mama will know something’s up.”
goaded—urged and tormented to do something
“She told me everything—how she goaded you into going out.”
haughtily—snobbishly; pridefully
“I’m not sure even God could love the British,” Lydia said haughtily.
Loyalist—a colonist whose loyalty remained with Great Britain
To be a Loyalist meant to support the king and Parliament and accept their right to govern the colonies any way they saw fit.
massacre—the act of killing a number of people
“It means that Captain Preston and eight soldiers will stand trial for the massacre last week.
The prosecuting attorney believes he has enough evidence to convict them of murder.”
merchant—a businessperson such as a storekeeper or shop owner
The streets had been strangely quiet, even during the hours when merchants usually did most of their business.
midwife—a person (usually a woman) who is trained to help deliver babies
“The baby is coming tonight, and I’m going to need help. Stephen will have to go for the midwife.”
mob—a large, disorderly crowd
Mobs broke into houses of British officials or anyone associated with the British government.
musket—a type of gun loaded from the muzzle (the firing end) and supported on the shoulder for shooting
Nevertheless, he stood with his feet solidly apart, his musket leaning over his shoulder. He was on duty.
noble—having very high or excellent qualities and character
Cuyler raised his eyes to the cot across the room and pondered the question. “No matter what any of us thinks, we all have to face that question. If a deadly deed is done in the name of patriotism or loyalty, is it noble? If a good deed is done out of fear, does it lack all virtue?”
oppression—unjust treatment or government
Still, he committed himself to the one cause he believed in: overthrowing British oppression.
Patriot—colonist who was devoted to defending and supporting the rights of the American colonies and making them an independent country
On the other hand, to be a Patriot meant to detest anything British and do everything possible to throw out the British.
riot—a violent, public disorder
He had been at the wrong place at the wrong time when a street riot broke out during the Stamp Act.
threshold—a strip of wood or stone that forms the bottom of a doorway
Lydia, Stephen thought, would leave the front door wide open and dare British soldiers passing by to cross the threshold.
vigil—staying awake during the time you would normally sleep in order to keep watch and/or pray
For a long time, Lydia adamantly refused to believe it was over and resisted sleep. She kept her vigil at the window and waited for the next round of activity.
IMPORTANT PEOPLE AND THINGS AROUND 1770
Samuel Adams
Samuel Adams was born in Boston on September 27, 1722. He graduated from Harvard in 1740. After college, he worked as a law student, then a clerk in a countinghouse, next a merchant, and then a partner in his father’s business. He was active in politics, and in 1756 he was elected as Boston’s tax collector, a position he held for eight years. In 1765, he was elected to the lower house of the Massachusetts General Court and in 1766, he became the clerk of the house until 1774. Adams strongly opposed the taxes like the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts that were passed by British parliament on the American colonists. He organized resistance to these taxes and formed the secret organization known as the Sons of Liberty. In 1770, he planned the protest that led to the Boston Massacre, and he was involved in the Boston Tea Party in 1773. Adams was a member of the Continental Congress and was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was lieutenant governor of Massachusetts from 1789 to 1793 and governor from 1794 to 1797. Samuel Adams died on October 2, 1803.
The Sons of Liberty
The Sons of Liberty were a secret organization formed by Samuel Adams and made up of colonists who opposed the taxes like the Stamp Act that were passed by British Parliament on the American colonists. The Sons of Liberty, or “Liberty Boys” as they often called themselves, wanted to keep people from paying these new taxes. They used scare tactics to threaten those who obeyed the tax, and if that did not work, they used violence and stirred up mobs and riots. The Sons of Liberty usually met at night by “Liberty Poles” or “Liberty Trees” to plan their attacks. Their willingness to use violence to fight against British oppression helped lead to the Revolutionary War and the fight for American independence.
The Stamp Act
This law was passed in the British parliament in the summer of 1765. It put a tax on all printed material in the American colonies, such as newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, licenses, and even playing cards. The British prime minister, George Grenville, proposed this tax in order to help pay for the cost of keeping military defenses in the colonies. When the new law passed, many of the American colonists were very angry. The tax was on things that most of them needed to carry on business and run their daily lives. They thought it was unfair for the British government to tax them like this without their representation in parliament or their agreement to the law. The Stamp Act caused quite a stir in the colonies. Violent riots broke out, and secret organizations like the Sons of Liberty were formed to resist the new tax. The colonists slogan was, “No taxation without representation.” The Stamp Act Congress was also formed to protest the Stamp Act, and a group of New York merchants signed the Nonimportation Agreement, in which they agreed not to import British goods. Because of the colonists’ protest, The Stamp Act was finally repealed, or taken back, in March of 1766.
The Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts put taxes on things like lead, glass, paper, paint, and tea in the American colonies. They took effect in 1767 and were named for their sponsor, Charles Townshend, the British finance minister. The British government wanted to remind the colonists they were still in control even though they had repealed the Stamp Act taxes. But the Townshend Acts only caused more anger among the colonists. British troops had to occupy the colonies to enforce the taxes and in Boston, this led to the Boston Massacre. Because of all the violence and boycotts in protest to the Townshend Acts, they raised very little money, and Parliament repealed them in April of 1770. Their damage was already done, though, and they helped pave the way for the Revolutionary War.
The Boston
Massacre
The Boston Massacre happened on March 5, 1770, between British troops and a group of angry colonists of Boston. The British troops were occupying Boston to enforce the Townshend Acts and to discourage violent protests by the colonists. The troops were stationed at Boston Common, where colonists would constantly harass them. During one protest, attacks on the troops caused them to open fire into the crowd and shoot five colonists. Crispus Attucks, Samuel Gray, James Caldwell, and Samuel Maverick were killed, and Patrick Carr was seriously hurt and died later. The eight British soldiers who opened fire and their commanding officer were charged with murder but were given a fair trial in Boston and were defended by John Adams, who later because President of the United States, and Josiah Quincy. Two of the soldiers were found guilty but the rest were acquitted, or found not guilty. The Boston Massacre was used by Sam Adams and the Sons of Liberty to create even more anti-British feelings in the colony.
HISTORY IN PERSPECTIVE TIMELINE
1752—Benjamin Franklin invents the lightning rod.
Summer, 1765—The Stamp Act is passed by British parliament and takes effect on American colonists.
March 5, 1770—The Boston Massacre occurs in Boston, Massachusetts.
December 16, 1773—The Boston Tea Party takes place in Boston, Massachusetts, when colonists protest the British tax on tea imported to the colonies by dumping the tea from three British ships into the Boston Harbor.
April 18, 1775—Paul Revere makes his famous midnight ride to warn colonists of the coming of the British troops to start the Revolutionary War.
1775–1783—The American Revolution takes place between the thirteen North American colonies and their parent country, Great Britain, as the colonies fight for their independence.
July 4, 1776—The Declaration of Independence is approved and adopted by the Second Continental Congress in America.
June, 1783—Joseph Michel and Jacques Étienne Montgolfier became the first human beings to fly in their invention of a hot air balloon in France.
September 17, 1787—Final draft of the U.S. Constitution is presented and later approved as the law of the land for the United States of America.
April 30, 1798—The United States Navy is established.
KATE AND THE SPIES: THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION VOCABULARY WORDS
apothecary—a pharmacy
“We’d best get back to the apothecary.”
apprentice—someone who learns a trade by working for someone skilled in that trade “My other apprentice, Johnny, left Boston with his family.”
babble—excessive, meaningless talk
A babble of voices answered him as a number of men all spoke at once.
bayonet—a steel blade, like a knife, attached to the muzzle of a rifle “I was polishing my bayonet,” the Redcoat said, “and it slipped.”
cloak—a loose-fitting outer garment, similar to a cape
Kate stood on tiptoes and pushed back the gray wool cloak from her blond curls,
but she could still only see the backs of the people ahead of them.
constable—a public officer responsible for keeping the peace, a police officer “Where are the constables, or the night watchmen, or the marines?”
deserter—a person who leaves military service without permission “I know you! Deserter!“
flint—a dark quartz material that makes a spark when struck by steel Harry reached in his pocket for a flint to light a candle.
handbill—a printed flyer
They’d been printing handbills, or posters, for the Sons of Liberty.
lobsterbacks and redcoats—names American colonists called British soldiers, based on the color of their uniforms
Still, part of her couldn’t help but find it exciting to have the streets, shops, and common filled with soldiers in the bright red uniforms that made people call them “lobsterbacks” and “redcoats.”
Loyalists—colonists who preferred to remain subject to British rule Her parents were Loyalists, who believed the Patriots should do as Parliament and the king said, even if what they said was wrong.
mobcap—a woman’s fancy indoor cap A lace-edged mobcap topped it all off.
musket—a long gun, loaded from the muzzle (the firing end)
Kate watched as Harry went back into the parlor and took down the old musket that hung over the fireplace.
Patriots—American colonists who wanted to break away from British rule “If the ships are unloaded here, we Patriots will do it ourselves.”
petticoat—an underskirt
In her long skirt and petticoat, Kate couldn’t keep up.
silversmith—a person who makes items out of silver Was that Paul Revere, the silversmith who stopped at the printing shop to talk with Harry so often?
stoop—a small porch or entrance stairway to a house There was no one on the door stoop.
treason—disloyalty to an existing government
“Before we can be hung, we must be brought to trial and found guilty of treason against Britain and the king.”
wharf—a structure built along the shore that allows ships to dock and load and unload cargo and passengers
“We’re headed toward Griffin
Wharf at Boston Harbor,” Colin shouted. wits—senses
“You’ll need to keep your wits about you all the time.”
IMPORTANT PEOPLE AND THINGS AROUND 1775
Samuel Adams
Samuel Adams was born September 27, 1722, in Boston, Massachusetts. After earning his Master of Arts degree from Harvard College in 1743, he entered private business as a clerk. He later joined his father’s business, but eventually lost all the money his father had given him. When his business failed, he became a full-time politician, and was elected to the Massachusetts legislature in 1766. Adams was a vocal opponent of the Stamp Act and other taxes that the British government placed on the colonists. He helped organize the Sons of Liberty and was a participant in the Boston Tea Party. Adams was a member of the first and second Continental Congresses, and was governor of Massachusetts from 1793 until 1797. His cousin, John Adams, would become the second president of the United States. Samuel Adams died October 2, 1803.
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia from September 5 until October 26, 1774. The delegates, from every colony except Georgia, met to protest the “Intolerable Acts” placed on the colonies by the British Parliament. The leaders of the Congress were Samuel and John Adams from Massachusetts and George Washington and Patrick Henry from Virginia. The delegates voted to stop all trade with Great Britain unless Parliament abolished the Intolerable Acts. They also voted to advise the colonies to begin training their citizens for war with Great Britain; tried to define the rights of America and its citizens; voted to place limits on Parliament’s power; and agreed on tactics for resistance against the British acts. By the time the Congress was over, armed conflict with Great Britain had already begun.
John Hancock
John Hancock was born January 12, 1737, in Braintree, Massachusetts. Orphaned as a young child, he was adopted by a wealthy, childless uncle. After his graduation from Harvard College, John Hancock joined his uncle’s business and became very successful. Though his background might have drawn him to the Loyalists, Hancock was involved in revolutionary politics, including the Boston Tea Party. He served in the Continental Congress and was governor of Massachusetts twice, his last term being from 1787 until his death in 1793. John Hancock’s signature is the first—and biggest—on the Declaration of Independence. About his famous signature, he is quoted as stating, “The British ministry can read that name without spectacles.” John Hancock died October 8, 1793.
Sons of Liberty
The Sons of Liberty began in Massachusetts in the early summer of 1765 as “The Loyal Nine.” Led by Samuel Adams, they were a group of shopkeepers and artisans organized to oppose the taxes—including the Stamp Act—the British Parliament had placed on the colonies. The Nine
grew and became the Sons of Liberty, and by the end of 1765, every colony had Sons of Liberty branches. The Sons often tried to frighten people away from paying their taxes. At times, they even used violence to convince people to stop obeying British law.
Paul Revere
Paul Revere was born January 1, 1735, in Boston’s North End. He learned silversmithing from his father, and took over his father’s business when the elder Revere died. When times were tough, he also worked as a dentist to help support his family. Paul Revere became involved with the Sons of Liberty in 1755. With excellent skills as a rider, he carried messages between Patriot groups in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. His engraving of the Boston Massacre stirred up revolutionary feelings in the colonists. He participated in the Boston Tea Party, and was the only participant to keep his promise never to tell of his involvement in the Tea Party. During the night of April 18–19, 1775, Paul Revere took his famous ride to Lexington, Massachusetts, to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that the British were on their way to arrest them. Paul Revere died on May 10, 1818.
HISTORY IN PERSPECTIVE TIMELINE
January 12, 1773—The first American museum is opened to the public in Charleston, South Carolina.
January 17, 1773—Captain James Cook becomes the first European explorer to cross the Antarctic Circle.
1774—Oxygen is discovered by Joseph Priestley.
1775–1783—The American Revolutionary War fought between the thirteen American colonies and Great Britain. It would end on September 3, 1783, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris.
March 23, 1775—Patrick Henry delivers his “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech in Williamsburg, Virginia.
1776—E pluribus unum (“from many one” in Latin) is chosen to appear on the Great Seal of the United States.
January 10, 1776—Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense.
American Challenge Page 44
