Week 5

We had a lengthy discussion this week on the tipping point of the revolution. We learned that the colonists were more angry at being taxed without representation than they were about paying the taxes themselves. What really sent them over the edge, though, was the Massachusetts Government Act which took away MA colonists' right to govern themselves (which they had been doing for the previous 83 years). I also forgot to mention the Administration of Justice Act which replaced all locally elected magistrates with judges appointed by the king. The colonists wouldn't hear of it! They showed up by the thousands at courthouses all over Massachusetts and blocked the entrances, and non-violently demanded the king's judges to disavow the king and leave their posts, or else the judges would be chased out of their homes. The judges were greatly outnumbered, as were Governor Gage's troops, and so did as they were told. No royal courts were ever held under the Administration of Justice Act, and thus the colonists successfully overthrew the British government in Massachusetts, eight months before "the shot heard 'round the world" began the war!

“So how do the people resist unjust authority, which, we all agree, they must and should do and have done in the past? The best solution anyone has come up with is to say that violent revolutions can be avoided (and therefore, violent mobs legitimately suppressed) if 'the people' are understood to have the right to challenge the laws through nonviolent civil disobedience.”  -David Graeber

Assignments This Week:

• Pay attention to the news! We would like to hear from everyone this week, something in the news that is relevant to our rights or liberty.
• Opinion Paper: When is it right to defend your liberty with guns?
• No presentations this week, but awesome job to Ethan this week on teaching us about the Boston Massacre and the Sons of Liberty! Our next presentations will be on November 3rd given by Paige on Life as a soldier, and by Taylor on hospitals and doctors.
• Reading: John Adams: Reluctant Patriot of the Revolution. Please have this book completed before class on November 3rd. One of you lucky scholars will be leading the book discussion that week!
• Award Requirements: Work on memorizing the Declaration of Independence through the Statement of "Train;" we will recite it together in class, and treats will abound for those who can meet the challenge! Also, keep plugging away at that Heritage Award and the others!

Carry on, scholars!

-Mrs. Hellyer