BOX 7.1 Comments on Papers on the American Revoloution Student #7      When the French and Indian war ended, British expected Americans to help them pay back there war debts. That would be a reasonable request if the war was fought for the colonies, but it was fought for English imperialism so you can't blame them for not wanting to pay. The taxes were just the start of the slow turn toward rebellion another factor was when parliament decided to forbid the colonial government to make any more money, Specie became scarcer than ever, and a lot of merchants were pushed into a "two way squeeze" and faced bankruptcy. If I had the choice between being loyal, or rebelling and having something to eat, I know what my choice would be. The colonist who were really loyal never did rebel, and 1/3 support the revolution.      The main thing that turned most people was the amount of propaganda, speeches from people like Patrick Henry, and organizations like the "Association." After the Boston Massacre and the issuing of the Intolerable acts, people were convinced there was a conspiracy in the royal government to extinguish America's liberties. I think a lot of people also just were going with the flow, or were being pressured by the Sons of Liberty. Merchants who didn't go along with boycotts often became the victims of mob violence. Overall though, people were sick of getting overtaxed and walked on and decided let's do something about it. Mr. Barnes's Summary Comment      --your topic sentence is weak      --more factual detail would improve your essay      --note spelling and grammar corrections C- Ms. Kelsey's Summary Comment      --The greatest strength of this essay is its outstanding effort to grapple thoughtfully with the question, why did the colonists rebel? Keep thinking personally, "What if I were here?" It is a great place to start.      --To make the essay work, however, you need to refine your organization strategies significantly. Remember that your reader is basically ignorant, so you need to express your view as clearly as you can. Try to form your ideas from the beginning to a middle and then an end.      In the beginning, tell what side you're on: What made the colonists rebel--money, propaganda, conformity?      In the middle, justify your view. What factors support your idea and will convince your reader?      In the end, remind your reader again about your point of view.      Go back and revise and hand this in again! SOURCE: Wilson and Wineburg (1993:Fig. 1). Reprinted by permission.