Homework Two Answers - Student Seven

1\. The two most important trials were the Salem witch trials and the Zenger trial. The witch trials were when the puritans were convinced that many of their colonists were possessed by the devil, and they convicted them. The witch trials were important because because legal standards were set. You were not allowed to throw someone in jail because of here say. The Zenger trials were important because it gave the jury power to go against the law and convict someone on just what they would decide.

Good, but not completely correct. The Zenger trial (singular, not plural) established the power of an American jury "to go against the law" and find not guilty (acquit) rather than convict someone. (Minus 1). Also, your reference in the Salem Witch Trials should be to "hearsay", not "here say," but you don't lost any points for mentioning that important law-school-level concept. Terrific effort.

2\. 1: The colonists were accustomed to much independence and self-determination, and british efforts to regulate and make taxes were bitterly opposed by the colonies. 2:British burdens (like religious freedoms and taxes) hurt nearly all the colonists in all walks of life.

Excellent answer.

3\. Vermont. The capturing of Fort Ticonderoga

Completely correct.

5\. The Great Awakening was a time when christianity became very popular. It helped the colonies unite and agree on beliefs customs and laws.

Superb, but also mention when: in the 1730s and 1740s. (Minus 1).

6\. The French Indian War. It gave the British a lot more territory. The outcome of the war was the signing of the Treaty of Paris. I think that it should have a different name because the name it has now makes no sense at all because France and the Indians were allies. I personally believe it should be called the the French and English War.

Excellent, and the "French and English War" would be a far better name.

8\. I believe an army leader wrote this to encourage his troops and make sure that they knew that God was in control.

Not quite. Thomas Paine wrote this in Common Sense. (Minus 1). But your point is good about emphasizing that God is in control.

H1. I believe it could go either way. It could bring colonists together by using scare tactics and having people see the snake torn apart representing the thirteen colonies with each piece of its body. Others might think of the cartoon as the colonies bullying them into joining and some people might not like that.

Interesting analysis, but I think most people clearly understood the point of the cartoon: the colonies must unite in order to survive. Also, mention the effectiveness of political cartoons as part of the answer. Cartoons can have a big impact, even greater than the written word in some circumstances.

H5. Does the legal system or the puritans... or neither deserve blame for the salem witch trials?

I believe neither should be to blame. The puritans convicted witches and in some cases warlocks and i see nothing wrong with that. Why should the puritans or the legal system be blamed for the devil?

That was the view of most people in Massachusetts at the time. Well said in your answer.

Dylan B.

Grade: 77/80. Excellent work!--Andy Schlafly 21:47, 19 February 2011 (EST)