Enduring Issues Colonial Worksheet
Enduring Issues in History
Colonial America • Inquiry & Evidence Lab
Name
Date
Period
Enduring Issues Reference Toolkit
An enduring issue is a historical challenge that repeats across time.
Power & Authority
Who holds control, how they get it, and whether their right to govern is accepted or questioned by the people.
Justice & Law
The rules that govern society, how fair they are, how they are enforced, and whether individuals receive fair trials.
Conflict
A serious disagreement or clash between groups, governments, or beliefs, often leading to protests, riots, or war.
Vocab Bank:
Grievance: A formal complaint about an unfair act. Legitimate: Lawful and accepted as rightful. Resistance: The act of fighting back or refusing compliance.
We Do
Class Modeling Activity: The Boston Massacre (1770)
Guided Analysis & Evidence Citation
Primary Context Excerpt: King Street, Boston — March 5, 1770 Colonial Boston
"A crowd of angry Boston colonists gathered outside the Customs House, shouting insults and pelting British soldiers with snowballs, ice chunks, and oysters. The colonists were furious over taxes levied without their consent and armed troops quartered in their town. As the mob pressed closer and bells rang alarm, Captain Preston shouted orders to hold, but in the chaos, soldiers fired into the unarmed crowd. Five colonists lay dead or dying in the snow."
Scaffolded Evidence-Identification Chart
| 1. Enduring Issue | 2. Direct Text Evidence (Quote/Fact) | 3. Explanation (Why it connects) |
|---|
| | |
| Conflict | | |
Teacher Model | "shouting insults and pelting British soldiers with snowballs... soldiers fired into the unarmed crowd" | This shows Conflict because physical fighting and violent hostility erupted between the townspeople and armed British troops. |
| Identify 2nd Issue:
Power/Authority
Justice/Law
| Copy a phrase from text:
| Complete explanation:
|
Sentence Starters for Explaining Reasoning:
• "The detail '[quote text]' demonstrates ______ because..."
• "This event illustrates ______ since the authorities / colonists chose to..."
Unit 2: Colonial America & Revolutionary Roots Page 1 of 2 • Turn over for Independent Work
You Do
Independent & Small Group Scenario Lab
Read each scenario. Check the enduring issue(s) present and explain your reasoning in 1–2 complete sentences.
Target: 10–12 min
A The Quartering Act Grievance (1765)
New York & Boston
"Parliament mandated that colonial assemblies pay to house and feed British soldiers. When the New York Assembly refused, the British Crown suspended the entire legislature until they obeyed."
Select Issue(s): Power & Authority Justice & Law Conflict
Explain your reasoning (cite evidence/starter):
B The Trial of Captain Preston & The Soldiers (1770)
Suffolk County Court
"After the Boston Massacre, Patriot lawyer John Adams agreed to defend the accused British soldiers in court, insisting that every person deserves a fair legal defense and judgment based on law rather than vengeance."
Select Issue(s): Power & Authority Justice & Law Conflict
Explain your reasoning (cite evidence/starter):
C The Boston Tea Party & The Coercive Acts (1773–1774)
Boston Harbor
"Protesting taxes and monopoly, colonists threw 342 chests of tea into the harbor. In retaliation, King George III shut Boston's port, banned town meetings, and appointed a military general to govern."
Select Issue(s): Power & Authority Justice & Law Conflict
Explain your reasoning (cite evidence/starter):
Detective Extension Challenge (High Differentiation) Extension
Can an event involve multiple enduring issues? Choose Scenario A, B, or C and explain how two issues collided:
EXIT TICKET
Daily Formative Check (2 Minutes)
Hand in before leaving class
Prompt: Choose one Enduring Issue from today (Power & Authority, Justice & Law, or Conflict). In your own words, define it and explain how it shaped colonial America:
