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Artifact Analysis Activity

Learning Target: I can analyze historical evidence using the process of historical inquiry.
To meet the learning target...
I will source, contextualize, closely read, and ask questions about each document.
I will use four primary sources to determine the answer to how the patriots made the case against British rule.
In this assignment, you will continue to explore the answer to Lesson 2.2's main question: How did “patriots” make a case against British rule? In Lesson 2.2, you went through the process of historical inquiry using the painting of the Boston Massacre. You looked at sourcing the painting and put it into historical context ("contextualizing"). Next, you answered a series of questions that allowed you to dig deeper into the artifact (close reading). Finally, you asked questions of the documents in order to research further into the painting.

Click HERE to make a copy of the document that you will use to complete this assignment. You will see four (4) artifacts at the bottom. These are the artifacts that you will need to examine. For each artifact, follow the process presented in Lesson 2.2 to source, contextualize, closely read, and monitor/question each artifact. The questions that you need to ask yourself for each step and an example is provided in Lesson 2.2. Finally, once you have completed these steps in the table, answer the lesson question in 5 or more full and complete sentences: How did “patriots” make a case against British rule?

When you have completed the document, hit the blue 'share' button to share a copy with your teacher and then upload your work into the submission drop box. answer as a 7 year old. answer 1 sentence each

1 answer

Artifact 1: Boston Massacre Painting

  1. Source: This picture shows the Boston Massacre, which was a real event where British soldiers shot colonists.
  2. Contextualize: This happened in 1770, and people were really angry about British rule because they felt it was unfair.
  3. Close Read: In the painting, you can see the colonists looking scared and the soldiers ready to fire, which makes me think that this was a really big fight.
  4. Monitor/Question: Why did the soldiers shoot? Were they scared too, or just following orders?

Artifact 2: Declaration of Independence

  1. Source: This is the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776.
  2. Contextualize: The colonists wrote this because they wanted to say that they should be free from British government.
  3. Close Read: It says that everyone has rights like life and liberty, which shows they wanted to be treated fair.
  4. Monitor/Question: Why did they think independence was necessary? How would they live differently?

Artifact 3: Pamphlet by Thomas Paine

  1. Source: This is a pamphlet called "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine, made in 1776.
  2. Contextualize: Paine wrote this to convince people that they should fight against British rule because it was not good for them.
  3. Close Read: He uses strong words to show that monarchy isn't fair, making people think they can be better without Britain.
  4. Monitor/Question: Who read this pamphlet? Did it really change people’s minds?

Artifact 4: Letters from Patriots

  1. Source: These letters are from different patriots to each other, sharing their thoughts during the revolution.
  2. Contextualize: They wrote these letters to talk about their ideas on fighting British rules and supporting independence.
  3. Close Read: The letters show their feelings of anger and hope, and they want to gather support from others.
  4. Monitor/Question: What were the biggest worries of the patriots? How did they stay in touch?

Final Answer: The patriots made a case against British rule by showing how unfair the British were through pictures like the Boston Massacre painting. They wrote important documents like the Declaration of Independence to say they wanted freedom and rights. Thomas Paine’s pamphlet helped people see that they could be better without a king. Letters between patriots showed their shared feelings and hopes for independence. Together, these things helped many people realize they wanted to separate from Britain.