This page shows questions in the Women in the Revolution public release module at MSDE. 8th Grade Social Studies
"Women in the Revolution"
Select from the list to explore. Read any associated passages and then interact with the questions here.
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Introduction
A student is researching the American Revolution. The compelling question is:
What motivated women to support the American Revolution?
The student has found the following sources. Use the sources and source information to answer the questions.
Background Information
After the Proclamation of 1763, the British government taxed its American colonies to pay for the costs of protecting them. Colonial men and women resisted these taxes in many ways, including boycotts and protests. After a decade of increasing tensions, the colonists declared their independence from Great Britain and formally started the revolution in 1776. The American Revolution lasted from 1765–1783.
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Source Information: In late May 1780, General George Washington announced his soldiers were exhausted and had a serious shortage of food and clothing. Esther Reed, the wife of Pennsylvania Governor Joseph Reed, rallied fellow women of Philadelphia in a campaign to raise money in support of the patriot troops.
Head Qrs [Quarters] in Bergen Cty., July 14, 1780
Madam:
I have received with much pleasure . . . the amount of the subscriptions [money] already collected for the use of the American Soldiery. This fresh mark of the patriotism of the Ladies entitles them to the highest applause of their Country. It is impossible for the Army, not to feel a superior gratitude, on such an instance of goodness.
. . . I would propose the purchasing of course Linnen [cotton cloth], to be made into Shirts, with the whole amount of their subscription [money]. A Shirt extraordinary to the Soldier will be of more service, and do more to preserve his health than any other thing that could be procured him. . . .
Letter from General George Washington to Esther Reed
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Source Information: The Boston Evening Post published the following agreement, reporting that over 300 Boston women had signed it. The actions were taken in response to the Revenue Acts, which taxed the colonies.
At a time when our . . . Rights and Privileges are attacked in an unconstitutional and most alarming Manner, . . . we join with the very respectable Body of Merchants and other Inhabitants of this Town . . . in their Resolutions, totally to abstain [stop] from the Use of Tea. . . . This Agreement we cheerfully come into, as we believe the very distressed Situation of our Country requires it, and we do hereby oblige ourselves religiously to observe it. . . .
Article from the Boston Evening Post, a patriot newspaper, January 31, 1770
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Source Information: Reaction to the new taxes became violent in Boston, Massachusetts. To restore order, Great Britain sent troops to the city. People were forced to either leave their homes or stay and live under military rule. Hannah Winthrop lived just outside Boston. She is writing to a female friend.
Dear Mrs. Warren, the Friend and Sister of my Heart,
. . . But my heart Bleeds for the people of Boston, my Blood boils with resentment at the Treatment they have met with from Gage [British General]. Can anything equal his Barbarity [cruelty]. Turning the poor out of Town without any Support, those persons who were possessed of any means of Support stopped and Searched, not suffered to carry anything with them. Can anything equal the distress of parents Separated from their Children, the tender husband detained in Cruel Captivity from the Wife. . . .
Excerpt from a letter written by Hannah Winthrop to Mercy Otis Warren, August 1775
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Source Information: This image comes from a popular series of books on American History. The books were published on the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The image is from the chapter called "Patriotism of American Women." It shows a woman spinning her own thread so that she will not have to purchase British cloth.
image titled "A Patriotic Young Woman," 1875
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Consider the Source Information provided for Source A.
What information raises concerns about Source A's usefulness as evidence of what motivated women to support the American Revolution?
This is a question with 2 parts, including a question with drop-down menus from which you must select an option to fill in the blank, and, a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Part A
Do Source A and Source B offer similar or different reasons about what motivated women to support the American Revolution?
Part B
Briefly explain your answer with evidence from both sources.
Enter your answer in the space provided.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Hannah Winthrop is angry about the British troops in Boston.
Explain how evidence from Source C supports the statement.
This is a question with 2 parts, including a test question that allows you to select spans of text directly from the passage, and, a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Part A
Consider the Source Information provided for Source D.
Select one detail from the Source Information that raises concerns about the usefulness of Source D as evidence for learning about what motivated women to support the American Revolution.
Source Information: This image comes from a series of books on American History, which became popular in the United States. The books were published in 1875 to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. This image is from the chapter called "Patriotism of American Women." It shows a woman spinning her own thread so that she will not have to purchase British cloth.
image titled "A Patriotic Young Woman," 1875
Part B
Explain why the detail you selected in Part A raises concerns about using it as evidence for what motivated women to support the American Revolution.
Enter your answer in the space provided.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
The information provided in Sources A through D is credible. Use these sources to respond to the compelling question.
What motivated women to support the American Revolution?
Develop a claim that responds to the compelling question.
- Explain how one source supports your claim.
- Explain how one source does not support your claim.
- Use details and examples from the selected sources to support your response.
Enter your answer in the space provided.