TITLE OF VIDEO:
Leaders of Early America
VIDEO COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:
1. What signaled Paul Revere and William Dawes to warn the colonists that the British troops were on their way by water? When and where was the signal given?
2. What warning did Paul Revere give to the colonists?
3. What did Paul Revere's ride signal?
4. What directions did the commander of the minutemen give to his troops?
5. What did the minutemen do when they saw the British regulars (redcoats) retreating from North Bridge?
6. What qualities was the Second Continental Congress looking for in the person selected as commander in chief of the Continental Army?
7. Where had George Washington gained military experience?
8. What was the name of George Washington's estate in Virginia?
9. How did George Washington compare in size to the average man of the time, and how did he use this difference?
10. What was George Washington's challenge in creating his army?
11. When was American independence from Britain announced, and who announced it?
12. Why did the Second Continental Congress want to write a declaration of independence in addition to announcing it?
13. Who were the members of the five man committee appointed to write a declaration of independence?
14. Who was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence, and when did he do it?
15. Who were not entitled to the rights stated in Thomas Jefferson's original Declaration of Independence?
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Copyright 2001 Discovery.com.
Teachers may reproduce copies of these materials for classroom use only. See next page for answers.
Leaders of Early America
VIDEO COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
1. What signaled Paul Revere and William Dawes to warn the colonists that the British troops were on their way by water? When and where was the signal given?
At around 10:00 p.m. on April 18, 1775, two lanterns placed in the steeple of the Old North Church in Boston signaled the news that the British troops planned to travel by water.
2. What warning did Paul Revere give to the colonists?
Paul Revere shouted the warning to the colonists that the regulars, or redcoats, were coming. He did not say, "The British are coming," since everyone regarded themselves as British at the time.
3. What did Paul Revere's ride signal?
Paul Revere's ride signaled the beginning of the Revolutionary War, from which there was no turning back.
4. What directions did the commander of the minutemen give to his troops?
Captain Parker, the commander of the minutemen, ordered his troops to, "Stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon. But, if they need to have a war, let it begin here."
5. What did the minutemen do when they saw the British regulars (redcoats) retreating from North Bridge?
When the British appeared to be retreating from North Bridge, the minutemen took a shortcut to hide behind houses and trees, where they fired on the British soldiers as they marched by.
6. What qualities was the Second Continental Congress looking for in the person selected as commander in chief of the Continental Army?
The Second Continental Congress was looking for a commander in chief who had the ability to lead an army, who was experienced in battle, and who had shown strong moral character.
7. Where had George Washington gained military experience?
George Washington had gained military experience while fighting for the British in the French and Indian War.
8. What was the name of George Washington's estate in Virginia?
Mount Vernon was the name of George Washington's estate in Virginia.
9. How did George Washington compare in size to the average man of the time, and how did he use this difference?
George Washington was 6'3" tall and weighed 225 lbs., while the average colonial man was 5'8" tall and weighed 140 lbs. George Washington used his "commanding physical presence to provide the moral authority" needed to lead.
10. What was George Washington's challenge in creating his army?
The colonial soldiers were poorly equipped and lacked military training, so George Washington had to meet the challenge of training mainly farmers and blacksmiths to be soldiers.
11. When was American independence from Britain announced, and who announced it?
On June 7, 1776, Delegate Richard Henry Lee of Virginia announced independence from England, stating that the colonies were free and independent states, absolved of all allegiance, or loyalty, to the British crown.
12. Why did the Second Continental Congress want to write a declaration of independence in addition to announcing it?
The Second Continental Congress wanted to write a declaration of independence to notify foreign countries so that the Congress could officially negotiate with foreign governments, contract alliances, and receive aid.
13. Who were the members of the five man committee appointed to write a declaration of independence?
The five man committee appointed to write a declaration of independence included Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Robert Livingston of New York, and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia.
14. Who was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence, and when did he do it?
On July 4, 1776, John Hancock, who was the President of the Second Continental Congress, became the first signer of the Declaration of Independence.
15. Who were not entitled to the rights stated in Thomas Jefferson's original Declaration of Independence?
Originally men without property, slaves, and women were not included in the rights stated in the Declaration of Independence.
DiscoverySchool.com
http://www.discoveryschool.com
Copyright 2001 Discovery.com.
Teachers may reproduce copies of these materials for classroom use only.
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