G u i d e
t o
R e a d i n g
N o t e s
2. Possible answer:
Section 2
1. John Adams proposed George Washington
be commander-in-chief. He believed that
Washington, with his talent and character,
would unite the colonies better than anyone else.
2. Possible flowchart:
Events in the Battle of Bunker Hill
Militiamen built a fort on Breed’s Hill all
through the night of June 16.
Written to
Written to King
colonists.
George.
Give
Claims Great
Colonists ask for solutions
to
Britain has hurt
an end to the
the problems
the colonists.
quarrels and
between
hope for peace.
Thousands
of
Great
Britain
and
the
colonists
are
King George
colonies.
persuaded to
rejects it and
declare
inde
calls colonists
pendence.
traitors.
When British general Howe saw the
American fort, he ordered an attack.
The Americans waited until the British
were as close as possible before they fired
on them.
It took the British three tries to take the
hill.
Section 4
3. Possible answers:
Ticonderoga (Winter 1775–1776): Sketch could show
Americans loading up supplies of cannons and
ammunition. Caption: The Continental army was
able to increase their supplies enough to attack Boston.
Boston (March 4, 1776): Sketch could show British
troops and Loyalists leaving Boston on ships.
Caption: The Continental army was able to regain
Boston with very little bloodshed, and the British
fled to Canada.
Section 3
1. Possible answer: There was no fighting for a year
after the battles at Lexington and Concord and
the British retreat from Boston, and many colonists still felt loyal to the king.
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
1. Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of
Independence to officially state that the colonies were separating from Great Britain and becoming independent.
2. Possible ideas and explanations:
• All people are born equal. If everyone is
treated the same, the world will be a more
just place.
• A government’s power to rule comes from the people. People don’t have to feel powerless. The government does not have
power over them.
• The people can create a new government to
protect their safety and happiness. People
don’t have to wait around for someone to
make their government better. They can create a new government that will keep them safe and happy.
Section 5
1. Possible answer: Northern delegate: This passage may offend New England merchants
who benefit from the slave trade. Southern delegate: This passage may lead to a demand to
end slavery. We need slaves to work on our farms.
2. Cartoons should show that delegates were
endangering their lives by signing the
Declaration of Independence. The caption
should reflect this idea.
The Declaration of Independence 1