This week we are reading 3 perspectives on the American Revolution:  Joseph Plumb Martin, "A Soldier's View of the Revolutionary War"; Boston King, "Choosing Sides"; and Catherine Van Cortlandt, "Secret Correspondence of a Loyalist Wife

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This week we are reading 3 perspectives on the American Revolution:  Joseph Plumb Martin, "A Soldier's View of the Revolutionary War"; Boston King, "Choosing Sides"; and Catherine Van Cortlandt, "Secret Correspondence of a Loyalist Wife."  Joseph Plumb Martin was a young, free, white American soldier who fought for independence. Boston King was an African American slave who sided with the British. Catherine Van Cortlandt was the wife of a Loyalist and did not have any political rights.  These 3 people provide 3 different perspectives and interpretations of the exact same historical event.

 

• After reading their first-hand accounts, explain how the gender, race, and social class identities of the writers shaped their experiences during the war. 
• What unique struggles—unique due to the writer's social class status, gender, or race—did each of these people face? 
• How has reading their first-hand accounts changed your previous opinions or assumptions about the American Revolution?  For example, does the independence movement now seem less romantic and idealistic after reading about what Joseph, Boston, and Catherine experienced during the war?