How Long Did the Seven Years’ War Last in Indian Country?

The article “How Long Did the Seven Years’ War Last in Indian Country?” states that the Seven Years’ War lasted from 1754 to 1763 between Indians of Ohio Valley and Great Lakes region. During the time, Indians were willing to live peacefully with British people with the exchange of gifts/pleasantries as a gesture of Indian culture. For Indians, exchanging presents was meaningful for building social relationships and honor. However, the British leaders were not familiar with the gift exchange practice, thus discarding them and insulting Indians. During the war, Major General Jeffery Amherst thought Indians were inferior to them, hence continue to fight against them. Many people of both sides died during the war; Indians suggested British to leave to avoid the attacks. Instead Fort Pitt’s commander declined their suggestion and thanked them with two blankets and a handkerchief that were infected by smallpox patients. Amherst thought it was good idea to spread smallpox among Indians as one of the war technique. His goal was to destroy Indians; however, he was recalled by his superiors for mishandling the war. In 1764, the war was fading away because Indians were short on weapons, and the British were tired and broke. Even though, the war had faded; there were still small attacks going on up to late 1770’s. Then, the Revolutionary war started against Americans from Indians and British and ended with massacre in 1815. The Indians called the Seven Years’ War as Sixty-One Years’ War.

Questions:

1.For what reasons the British continued to fight against Indians? What were the outcomes of the Seven Years’ War?

2.How was the relationship between the British and American colonists during the war?

Preface to the Frame of Government of Pennsylvania, William Penn, 1682

1.    What is the author arguing?
The author William Penn, who written the Frame of Government of Pennsylvania, is trying to express his reasoning of religion and government in Pennsylvania. His argument was based upon forming a government that was religious, and how it could help people that were residing in Pennsylvania.  He wanted three common ideas of government into one whole division in which “any government is free to the people under it where the laws rule, and the people are a party to those laws, and more than this is tyranny.” Since there is hardly any government that is so badly planned that it will not perform well even in good hands, therefore William Penn expressed his desire for men to rule the government in good way. His reasoning was based upon the need for the government and to put his skills at work where men can comfortably live within the holy laws.

2.     How does the author appeal to logos (logic), pathos (emotional quality), and ethos (the writer’s perceived character) with their argument?
The author William Penn is strongly appealing to logos, pathos, and ethos with his argument because he has experiences and skills regarding how the government should be run. The words of the preface clearly show pathos that he believed in equality and wanted residents of Pennsylvania to live freely under the frame of the government.  He wanted to construct a colony with religious purposes and freedom of worship. The logos is the fact that he wrote the preface to the Frame of Government of Pennsylvania and put it into action. The ethos is about the character of the writer, in this case, William Penn became the Governor and Chief Proprietor of Pennsylvania and was declared to hold fundamental in the government. He showed that he did it what he said he would do; that is to form a government and freedom of religion for the colonists.

3.    What is the historical significance/relevance of this document?
The historical significance/relevance of this document is that it was true event that happened in the past which change the way of governing. It was a constitution for Pennsylvania colony which was given by Charles II of England to William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania colony. It was important document as it marked significant step into American government democracy. It was also step toward freedom of religion in the colony. The Pennsylvania colony began to emerge separately from others due to Penn’s justifications.

4.    Do you find the author’s argument convincing? Why or why not?
I find the author’s argument convincing because he has written the document that would benefit all the residents living in the Pennsylvania colony. He was writing the document keeping everyone in the mind that it would change the way they were living. Through the document, he seemed very considerate and convincing that he will achieve his reasoning and ideas. His document give us overview of the laws that are agreed upon in England and in the Frame of Government of Pennsylvania, hence we understand why the colonists believed in him and his ideas of free religion and the government. 

The Arbella Sermon, John Winthrop, 1630

There are four excerpts of The Arbella Sermon, John Winthrop, 1630 referring to different concepts; therefore, there are four summaries included in this CDL.

1.      Love is what keeps us strong and together throughout difficult and contented times. It is not a body part; rather it’s a bond that glues us with each other. People who feel connected to the God have found a bond that has unified them to the God as a one body (not as parts). When we are not united or have many body parts, we would be unbalanced and disordered qualities. Thus, we are helpless when we are not united.  

2.      This passage is trying to say that no matter where we (colonists) move/go to; we will still live the same way as we did before in England. Our way of life will be same, but we would also do more as we will progressively improve.

3.      John Winthrop had religious virtue of the New England colony.  Since the Church of England was considered corrupted; the colonists were to separate themselves from the Church of England in order to establish their own religious colonies. Winthrop believed in God so much that he believed that everything will work out when the colonists settle in new territory of America. They wanted to live peacefully in the New England with others, not like corruption of the Church of England.

4.      Winthrop states that the God will praise their work of establishing successful colony of New England. He wanted to set up a successful religious colony which stands out from other colonies. The New England colony would be example that people would follow by looking at the importance of the God.

Questions:

1.      Why did John Winthrop use the phrase “a city upon a hill” in the forth excerpt? What was he referring to?

2.      What were some goals of John Winthrop on establishing successful colony?