Assignment 1

The Letters of Abigail and John Adams

Reading Assignment:

¬ Read the bios. of John and Abigail Adams on pp. 471-472.

¬ Read the Letter of March 31, 1776 and the letter of April 14, 1776 on pp. 473-474

1. In the letter to her husband, what does Adams say she wants the new Code of Laws to do?

Did the Constitution end up doing what she wanted? At first? Eventually? Explain.

2. Why is her statement that "all men would be tyrants if they could" a faulty argument?

3. According to Abigail Adams, what do the women plan to do if their demands aren't met?

Did they ever do this? Explain.

4. What does Adams say some men &emdash; those who "wish to be happy" &emdash; are willing to do?

Where have we previously seen the idea that men are naturally "masters" or "tyrannical" in European-American culture?

5. In John Adams' reply to his wife's letter, which other groups besides women does he mention, and what seems to be his view of these people?

What might he have meant by, "We have only the Name of Masters" &endash; why might he have regarded himself as "master" in name only?

6. What does Adams say that the law should do to protect women?

Who else in society might need such protection (just look at John Adams' reply if you want some ideas)?

Why weren't these groups able to take full advantage of the democratic process in the Adams's time?

Are any of them still unable to do so? Explain.

Assignment 2

Thomas Jefferson

Reading Assignment:

¬ Read the bio. of Jefferson on pp. 478-480

¬ Read Query VI, Query XVII , and Query XVIII of Notes on the State of Virginia on pp. 484-490 and 493-496

¬ Read letter to Nathaniel Burwell on pp. 502-503

1. What opinion of Native Americans did M. de Buffon express, generally speaking, as Jefferson quotes him in Query VI?

2. What does Jefferson's opinion of Native Americans generally seem to be in Query VI? Does his opinion surprise you? Why or why not?

3. What do you think are Jefferson's three strongest arguments in favor of religious freedom in Query XVII. Briefly explain why you chose these.

4. What in this passage is still relevant to today's United States?

5. According to Jefferson in Query XVIII, what does having the institution of slavery do to a society?

6. What is Jefferson afraid might happen when he remarks, "Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep for ever: that considering numbers, nature and natural means only, a revolution of the wheel of fortune, an exchange of situation is among possible events…"?

7. In his letter to Nathan Burwell, what subjects does Jefferson say a woman should study, and why?

Overall, what seems to be Jefferson's attitude towards women?

Assignment 3

St. Jean deCrevecoeur

Reading Assignment:

¬ Read the bio. of deCrevecoeur on p. 435

¬ Read the excerpt from Letter III: What is An American? On pp. 441-444 (until you get to "Andrew arrived at my house…")

1. According to the author, how does America compare to Europe in terms of social classes and wealth?

2. a) What occupation were most Americans engaged in during the 1770s?

b) What are a couple of other occupations mentioned by DeCrevecoeur?

3. a) According to DeCrevecoeur, how do Americans view the law?

b) Why do they feel this way?

4. DeCrevecoeur says that in America, man is free, and he describes America as "the most perfect society now existing in the world." Was he correct, do you think? Explain.

Have things in America improved since the 1770s, or have they deteriorated (regarding the subjects deCrevecoeur touches on in his work)? Explain.

5. Was making North America "entirely peopled" a good idea? Explain.

6. DeCrevecoeur describes America as an "asylum," a place people go to escape danger, etc. Is this still the case today? Explain how it is or is not.

7. According to DeCrevecoeur, why did people come here from other nations?

8. What does DeCrevecoeur say has been the effect of becoming Americans on immigrants?

9. What is the problem of DeCrevecoeur's definition and description of "an American" in the sixth paragraph? Whom does it leave out?

10. Do you agree that in the U.S., "individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men"? Why or why not?

How was DeCrevecoeur using the term "race" in this statement?

11. What does DeCrevecoeur say about religion in the U.S.?

Whose rights does he seem to be ignoring in this statement?