Primary Source Reading
Comparing Points of View
What a difference a year makes
Name:
Date:
Period:
Identify 3 words or phrases used by the colonists to
describe the King from the Olive Branch Petition:
Identify 3 words or phrases used by the colonists to
describe the King from the Declaration:
Identify 3 words or phrases used by the colonists to
describe themselves from the Olive Branch Petition:
Identify 3 words or phrases used by the colonists to
describe the themselves from the Declaration:
Comparing each of these documents, how did the tone change?
How did the purpose of these communications change?
More Primary Resources
Document 1
Document 2
This image was first published by Benjamin
Franklin at the beginning of the French and
Indian War in 1754. In the same paper, he
wrote, "The Confidence of the French in this
Undertaking seems well-grounded on the present
disunited State of the British Colonies, and the
extreme Difficulty of bringing so many different
Governments and Assemblies to agree in any
speedy and effectual Measures for our common
defense and Security; while our Enemies have the
very great Advantage of being under one
Direction, with one Council, and one Purse...."
1. In document 1, what do the sections of the snake represent?
2. In document 2, why does Ben Franklin feel it necessary to make the publication?
3. This was the first major effort to unite the colonies – why do you think a snake would be a good representation
of the colonies?
4. From the two documents on the other page, which would this publication be most likely to help, the Olive
Branch Petition or the Declaration of Independence?
Why?
5. In 1754, would Ben Franklin have been optimistic that the colonies could unite, break away from Britain, and
then establish a nation?
Why do you think so?