Reading Guide Chapter Six
1. Where did France colonize in the New World?
2.
What type of government was found in New France?
3. What was the focus of colonization in New France?
4. What region in North America did both France and Britain view as critical to their colonial empires? Why
did each country view that region as so valuable?
5. How did George Washington start the French and Indian War? What was the name of his fort?
6. Where else was the Seven Year’s War fought and which countries were involved?
7. According to William Pitt, “America was conquered in Germany.” What did he mean by that statement?
8.
What was the purpose of the Albany Congress?
9. Why did Benjamin Franklin publish the Join or Die cartoon? What scheme did he present at the Albany
Congress? How was well it received by the individual colonies?
10. Describe General Braddock’s attempt to capture Fort Duquesne. What was the outcome?
11. Where should the British have focused their invasion of Canada in 1756? Why?
12. What did William Pitt do to help the British win the war?
13. What were the major French losses?
14. What lessons did the colonists learn from fighting the French and Indian War?
15. In what ways did British policy during and after the French and Indian War upset and unite the colonies?
List the policies and the responses of the colonies.
Reading Guide Chapter Seven – Answer these questions and complete the Acts Chart
1. How did republicanism contribute to the break of Americans from British control?
2. Define the theory of mercantilism. What role did it play in creating discord between British authorities
and the colonists?
3.
What was the purpose of the committees of correspondence?
4. Why did the First Continental Congress meet? What was its purpose and what did it accomplish?
5. What were the advantages and disadvantages of Britain on the eve of the American Revolution?
6. What were the advantages and disadvantages of the American colonists on the eve of the American
Revolution?
Reading Guide Chapter Eight
1. What was different about the 2nd Continental Congress (as opposed to the 1st CC) and what was its most
important action?
2. Why Washington?
3. What mistake did the British make at Bunker Hill and how did they end up taking it back?
4. Explain the Olive Branch Petition and how it was received by King George III.
5. Why was different about the attempt to conquer Canada?
6. Why was the message of Thomas Pain’s pamphlet?
7. Describe the republican government that Pain championed.
8. Some patriots disagreed with Paine’s republicanism….why?
9. Why do we celebrate July 4, 1776 instead of July 2nd? Or maybe June 7th?
10. Who were the loyalists and why were they loyal?
11. What event and ideal does the picture on page 153 depict?
12. What was Burgoyne’s Blunder and why was it so important?
13. What did France think of the colonists revolution; and in what ways did they support it?
14. What happens when the revolution becomes a World War?
15. Why does Benedict Arnold turn traitor?
16. How is the war going in the South and what role does Nathanael Greene play?
17. What is significant about the Treaty of Fort Stanwix (1784)?
18. What was privateering?
19. How did the Americans succeed at Yorktown?
20. What are the terms of the Treaty of Paris (1783)?
Reading Guide Chapter Nine
1. Why was slavery allowed to continue in the new nation even after the 1st Continental Congress called for the
complete abolition of the slave trade in 1774 and several northern states abolished slavery altogether?
2. How was the American written constitution different from the British constitution?
3. How was the American economy post Revolution?
4. Why did some of the colonies hold out on ratifying the Articles of Confederation?
5. Why were the Articles of Confederation referred to as a “firm league of friendship”?
6. Describe the weaknesses of the Articles.
7. What were the strengths of the Articles?
8. Describe the two great successes of the Articles of Confederation

Land Ordinance of 1785

Northwest Ordinance of 1787
9. How did the British, Spanish and French treat the newly created American confederation?
10. What was the impact of Shay’s rebellion?
11. What was the express purpose of the convention in Philadelphia?
12. Who elected the 55 representatives to Philadelphia?
13. Describe the delegates and their mission.
14. Explain the “Great Compromise” and why it was necessary.
15. Where was the compromise in the executive branch?
16. In what two ways was slavery condoned in the Constitution?
17. In what ways was the Constitution undemocratic?
18. In what ways was the Constitution soundly democratic?
19. Who were the anti-federalists and what were their concerns?
20. Who were the federalists and what was their advantage?
21. How was the ratification process?
22. Why did the final four (Laggard states) finally ratify?