American Heroes

William Whipple, American Hero

We are used to thinking of the American Founding Fathers as heroes. They took on the British Empire, the greatest military force at the time, and defied a king. As representatives of their home communities, they took great risks to draft a document explaining the reasons to seek independence. Speaking out against the king was considered treason and would have resulted in financial ruin and even death for anyone caught.

For one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, though, the act of signing was more than just the act of rebellion we know all the signers for. For William Whipple, the signing was a commitment to liberty that few signers lived up to.

According to the book Lives of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence, William Whipple was born in Kittery, Maine, in 1730. William attended public school and took a job on a merchant ship shortly after finishing. His sea voyages were very successful, and when he retired from the sea he had made a small fortune.

With that fortune, William became a successful businessman in Portsmouth before the Revolution. In part because of his success in business, he was elected to represent his community at the state congress. In 1775, he was selected as a delegate to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. He participated in the congress, ultimately signing his name, with many others, to the document that launched the rebellion.

War came shortly after the signing, and William was appointed to serve in the militia assigned to protect New Hampshire. At the time he began his military service, William owned a slave like most of his peers. The slave, named Prince, would have been expected to join William and serve with him in battle. As they were preparing to leave, Prince told William, "I have no freedom to fight for, sir." Seeing the truth in this, William is reported to have freed Prince immediately.

Today, we look back on history through a great fog of time, and with lenses clouded by our own modern values. Our Founding Fathers displayed admirable courage in crafting and signing such a brilliant claim to human liberty. The idea that all people were created equal and endowed with certain rights was revolutionary in every way. The idea that government's job was to protect this equality and these rights was also revolutionary. We can admire the signers' commitment to these principals, and also know that the issue of slavery divided the nation from the signing until long after the end of the Civil War. We would perhaps have had a different history if more of the signers, like Whipple, had seen the cruel irony in declaring the oppression of Britain unjust and at the same time oppressing an entire race of people.

What is the author's point in explaining how we see history "through a great fog of time"? (5 points)

• It makes him have more to lose.

• It makes him less heroic.

• It makes him seem more sympathetic.

• It makes him a typical colonist of his time.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.6

CCSS.RI.6.9

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

William Whipple, American Hero

We are used to thinking of the American Founding Fathers as heroes. They took on the British Empire, the greatest military force at the time, and defied a king. As representatives of their home communities, they took great risks to draft a document explaining the reasons to seek independence. Speaking out against the king was considered treason and would have resulted in financial ruin and even death for anyone caught.

For one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, though, the act of signing was more than just the act of rebellion we know all the signers for. For William Whipple, the signing was a commitment to liberty that few signers lived up to.

According to the book Lives of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence, William Whipple was born in Kittery, Maine, in 1730. William attended public school and took a job on a merchant ship shortly after finishing. His sea voyages were very successful, and when he retired from the sea he had made a small fortune.

With that fortune, William became a successful businessman in Portsmouth before the Revolution. In part because of his success in business, he was elected to represent his community at the state congress. In 1775, he was selected as a delegate to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. He participated in the congress, ultimately signing his name, with many others, to the document that launched the rebellion.

War came shortly after the signing, and William was appointed to serve in the militia assigned to protect New Hampshire. At the time he began his military service, William owned a slave like most of his peers. The slave, named Prince, would have been expected to join William and serve with him in battle. As they were preparing to leave, Prince told William, "I have no freedom to fight for, sir." Seeing the truth in this, William is reported to have freed Prince immediately.

Today, we look back on history through a great fog of time, and with lenses clouded by our own modern values. Our Founding Fathers displayed admirable courage in crafting and signing such a brilliant claim to human liberty. The idea that all people were created equal and endowed with certain rights was revolutionary in every way. The idea that government's job was to protect this equality and these rights was also revolutionary. We can admire the signers' commitment to these principals, and also know that the issue of slavery divided the nation from the signing until long after the end of the Civil War. We would perhaps have had a different history if more of the signers, like Whipple, had seen the cruel irony in declaring the oppression of Britain unjust and at the same time oppressing an entire race of people.

What is the author's point in explaining how we see history "through a great fog of time"? (5 points)

• To suggest history will forever be a mystery

• To suggest that modern ideals differ from those held in the past

• To suggest that William Whipple's story may not be true

• To suggest we should not judge the other signers too harshly

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.6

CCSS.RI.6.9

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

William Whipple, American Hero

We are used to thinking of the American Founding Fathers as heroes. They took on the British Empire, the greatest military force at the time, and defied a king. As representatives of their home communities, they took great risks to draft a document explaining the reasons to seek independence. Speaking out against the king was considered treason and would have resulted in financial ruin and even death for anyone caught.

For one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, though, the act of signing was more than just the act of rebellion we know all the signers for. For William Whipple, the signing was a commitment to liberty that few signers lived up to.

According to the book Lives of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence, William Whipple was born in Kittery, Maine, in 1730. William attended public school and took a job on a merchant ship shortly after finishing. His sea voyages were very successful, and when he retired from the sea he had made a small fortune.

With that fortune, William became a successful businessman in Portsmouth before the Revolution. In part because of his success in business, he was elected to represent his community at the state congress. In 1775, he was selected as a delegate to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. He participated in the congress, ultimately signing his name, with many others, to the document that launched the rebellion.

War came shortly after the signing, and William was appointed to serve in the militia assigned to protect New Hampshire. At the time he began his military service, William owned a slave like most of his peers. The slave, named Prince, would have been expected to join William and serve with him in battle. As they were preparing to leave, Prince told William, "I have no freedom to fight for, sir." Seeing the truth in this, William is reported to have freed Prince immediately.

Today, we look back on history through a great fog of time, and with lenses clouded by our own modern values. Our Founding Fathers displayed admirable courage in crafting and signing such a brilliant claim to human liberty. The idea that all people were created equal and endowed with certain rights was revolutionary in every way. The idea that government's job was to protect this equality and these rights was also revolutionary. We can admire the signers' commitment to these principals, and also know that the issue of slavery divided the nation from the signing until long after the end of the Civil War. We would perhaps have had a different history if more of the signers, like Whipple, had seen the cruel irony in declaring the oppression of Britain unjust and at the same time oppressing an entire race of people.

Which line from the text shows the heroism of the Founding Fathers? (5 points)

• They took great risks to draft a document

• His sea voyages were very successful

• When he retired from the sea he had made a small fortune

• The idea that government's job was to protect this equality

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

William Whipple, American Hero

We are used to thinking of the American Founding Fathers as heroes. They took on the British Empire, the greatest military force at the time, and defied a king. As representatives of their home communities, they took great risks to draft a document explaining the reasons to seek independence. Speaking out against the king was considered treason and would have resulted in financial ruin and even death for anyone caught.

For one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, though, the act of signing was more than just the act of rebellion we know all the signers for. For William Whipple, the signing was a commitment to liberty that few signers lived up to.

According to the book Lives of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence, William Whipple was born in Kittery, Maine, in 1730. William attended public school and took a job on a merchant ship shortly after finishing. His sea voyages were very successful, and when he retired from the sea he had made a small fortune.

With that fortune, William became a successful businessman in Portsmouth before the Revolution. In part because of his success in business, he was elected to represent his community at the state congress. In 1775, he was selected as a delegate to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. He participated in the congress, ultimately signing his name, with many others, to the document that launched the rebellion.

War came shortly after the signing, and William was appointed to serve in the militia assigned to protect New Hampshire. At the time he began his military service, William owned a slave like most of his peers. The slave, named Prince, would have been expected to join William and serve with him in battle. As they were preparing to leave, Prince told William, "I have no freedom to fight for, sir." Seeing the truth in this, William is reported to have freed Prince immediately.

Today, we look back on history through a great fog of time, and with lenses clouded by our own modern values. Our Founding Fathers displayed admirable courage in crafting and signing such a brilliant claim to human liberty. The idea that all people were created equal and endowed with certain rights was revolutionary in every way. The idea that government's job was to protect this equality and these rights was also revolutionary. We can admire the signers' commitment to these principals, and also know that the issue of slavery divided the nation from the signing until long after the end of the Civil War. We would perhaps have had a different history if more of the signers, like Whipple, had seen the cruel irony in declaring the oppression of Britain unjust and at the same time oppressing an entire race of people.

Read this line from the text:

As they were preparing to leave, Prince told William, "I have no freedom to fight for, sir."

Why did Prince say he had no freedom to fight for? (5 points)

• He was a slave.

• He did not believe in fighting.

• He was not a soldier.

• He was a British citizen.

Tags

CCSS.RF.5.4C

CCSS.RI.5.1

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.2

William Whipple, American Hero

We are used to thinking of the American Founding Fathers as heroes. They took on the British Empire, the greatest military force at the time, and defied a king. As representatives of their home communities, they took great risks to draft a document explaining the reasons to seek independence. Speaking out against the king was considered treason and would have resulted in financial ruin and even death for anyone caught.

For one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, though, the act of signing was more than just the act of rebellion we know all the signers for. For William Whipple, the signing was a commitment to liberty that few signers lived up to.

According to the book Lives of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence, William Whipple was born in Kittery, Maine, in 1730. William attended public school and took a job on a merchant ship shortly after finishing. His sea voyages were very successful, and when he retired from the sea he had made a small fortune.

With that fortune, William became a successful businessman in Portsmouth before the Revolution. In part because of his success in business, he was elected to represent his community at the state congress. In 1775, he was selected as a delegate to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. He participated in the congress, ultimately signing his name, with many others, to the document that launched the rebellion.

War came shortly after the signing, and William was appointed to serve in the militia assigned to protect New Hampshire. At the time he began his military service, William owned a slave like most of his peers. The slave, named Prince, would have been expected to join William and serve with him in battle. As they were preparing to leave, Prince told William, "I have no freedom to fight for, sir." Seeing the truth in this, William is reported to have freed Prince immediately.

Today, we look back on history through a great fog of time, and with lenses clouded by our own modern values. Our Founding Fathers displayed admirable courage in crafting and signing such a brilliant claim to human liberty. The idea that all people were created equal and endowed with certain rights was revolutionary in every way. The idea that government's job was to protect this equality and these rights was also revolutionary. We can admire the signers' commitment to these principals, and also know that the issue of slavery divided the nation from the signing until long after the end of the Civil War. We would perhaps have had a different history if more of the signers, like Whipple, had seen the cruel irony in declaring the oppression of Britain unjust and at the same time oppressing an entire race of people.

Which line explains the risk taken by the Founding Fathers? (5 points)

• For William Whipple, the signing was a commitment to liberty that few signers lived up to.

• Our Founding Fathers displayed commendable courage in crafting and signing such a brilliant claim

• We can admire the signers' commitment to these principals, and also know that the issue of slavery divided the nation

• Speaking out against the king was considered treason and would have resulted in financial ruin

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

William Whipple, American Hero

We are used to thinking of the American Founding Fathers as heroes. They took on the British Empire, the greatest military force at the time, and defied a king. As representatives of their home communities, they took great risks to draft a document explaining the reasons to seek independence. Speaking out against the king was considered treason and would have resulted in financial ruin and even death for anyone caught.

For one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, though, the act of signing was more than just the act of rebellion we know all the signers for. For William Whipple, the signing was a commitment to liberty that few signers lived up to.

According to the book Lives of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence, William Whipple was born in Kittery, Maine, in 1730. William attended public school and took a job on a merchant ship shortly after finishing. His sea voyages were very successful, and when he retired from the sea he had made a small fortune.

With that fortune, William became a successful businessman in Portsmouth before the Revolution. In part because of his success in business, he was elected to represent his community at the state congress. In 1775, he was selected as a delegate to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. He participated in the congress, ultimately signing his name, with many others, to the document that launched the rebellion.

War came shortly after the signing, and William was appointed to serve in the militia assigned to protect New Hampshire. At the time he began his military service, William owned a slave like most of his peers. The slave, named Prince, would have been expected to join William and serve with him in battle. As they were preparing to leave, Prince told William, "I have no freedom to fight for, sir." Seeing the truth in this, William is reported to have freed Prince immediately.

Today, we look back on history through a great fog of time, and with lenses clouded by our own modern values. Our Founding Fathers displayed admirable courage in crafting and signing such a brilliant claim to human liberty. The idea that all people were created equal and endowed with certain rights was revolutionary in every way. The idea that government's job was to protect this equality and these rights was also revolutionary. We can admire the signers' commitment to these principals, and also know that the issue of slavery divided the nation from the signing until long after the end of the Civil War. We would perhaps have had a different history if more of the signers, like Whipple, had seen the cruel irony in declaring the oppression of Britain unjust and at the same time oppressing an entire race of people.

What is the main idea of the bolded paragraph? (5 points)

• The Founding Fathers are known for the great risks they took to secure freedom.

• The Founding Fathers committed treason and could have been killed for signing.

• The Founding Fathers failed to live up to the promise of the Declaration of Independence.

• The Founding Fathers had many reasons to seek independence and defy the king.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

William Whipple, American Hero

We are used to thinking of the American Founding Fathers as heroes. They took on the British Empire, the greatest military force at the time, and defied a king. As representatives of their home communities, they took great risks to draft a document explaining the reasons to seek independence. Speaking out against the king was considered treason and would have resulted in financial ruin and even death for anyone caught.

For one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, though, the act of signing was more than just the act of rebellion we know all the signers for. For William Whipple, the signing was a commitment to liberty that few signers lived up to.

According to the book Lives of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence, William Whipple was born in Kittery, Maine, in 1730. William attended public school and took a job on a merchant ship shortly after finishing. His sea voyages were very successful, and when he retired from the sea he had made a small fortune.

With that fortune, William became a successful businessman in Portsmouth before the Revolution. In part because of his success in business, he was elected to represent his community at the state congress. In 1775, he was selected as a delegate to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. He participated in the congress, ultimately signing his name, with many others, to the document that launched the rebellion.

War came shortly after the signing, and William was appointed to serve in the militia assigned to protect New Hampshire. At the time he began his military service, William owned a slave like most of his peers. The slave, named Prince, would have been expected to join William and serve with him in battle. As they were preparing to leave, Prince told William, "I have no freedom to fight for, sir." Seeing the truth in this, William is reported to have freed Prince immediately.

Today, we look back on history through a great fog of time, and with lenses clouded by our own modern values. Our Founding Fathers displayed admirable courage in crafting and signing such a brilliant claim to human liberty. The idea that all people were created equal and endowed with certain rights was revolutionary in every way. The idea that government's job was to protect this equality and these rights was also revolutionary. We can admire the signers' commitment to these principals, and also know that the issue of slavery divided the nation from the signing until long after the end of the Civil War. We would perhaps have had a different history if more of the signers, like Whipple, had seen the cruel irony in declaring the oppression of Britain unjust and at the same time oppressing an entire race of people.

What is the main idea of the bolded paragraph? (5 points)

• William was dedicated to serving.

• William made a great fortune.

• William freed his slave.

• William launched a rebellion.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

William Whipple, American Hero

We are used to thinking of the American Founding Fathers as heroes. They took on the British Empire, the greatest military force at the time, and defied a king. As representatives of their home communities, they took great risks to draft a document explaining the reasons to seek independence. Speaking out against the king was considered treason and would have resulted in financial ruin and even death for anyone caught.

For one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, though, the act of signing was more than just the act of rebellion we know all the signers for. For William Whipple, the signing was a commitment to liberty that few signers lived up to.

According to the book Lives of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence, William Whipple was born in Kittery, Maine, in 1730. William attended public school and took a job on a merchant ship shortly after finishing. His sea voyages were very successful, and when he retired from the sea he had made a small fortune.

With that fortune, William became a successful businessman in Portsmouth before the Revolution. In part because of his success in business, he was elected to represent his community at the state congress. In 1775, he was selected as a delegate to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. He participated in the congress, ultimately signing his name, with many others, to the document that launched the rebellion.

War came shortly after the signing, and William was appointed to serve in the militia assigned to protect New Hampshire. At the time he began his military service, William owned a slave like most of his peers. The slave, named Prince, would have been expected to join William and serve with him in battle. As they were preparing to leave, Prince told William, "I have no freedom to fight for, sir." Seeing the truth in this, William is reported to have freed Prince immediately.

Today, we look back on history through a great fog of time, and with lenses clouded by our own modern values. Our Founding Fathers displayed admirable courage in crafting and signing such a brilliant claim to human liberty. The idea that all people were created equal and endowed with certain rights was revolutionary in every way. The idea that government's job was to protect this equality and these rights was also revolutionary. We can admire the signers' commitment to these principals, and also know that the issue of slavery divided the nation from the signing until long after the end of the Civil War. We would perhaps have had a different history if more of the signers, like Whipple, had seen the cruel irony in declaring the oppression of Britain unjust and at the same time oppressing an entire race of people.

Read this line from the text:

For William Whipple, the signing was a commitment to liberty that few signers lived up to.



How did William Whipple show commitment to liberty unlike other signers? (5 points

• By freeing his slave

• By going to Philadelphia

• By going to war

• By sharing his success

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

William Whipple, American Hero

We are used to thinking of the American Founding Fathers as heroes. They took on the British Empire, the greatest military force at the time, and defied a king. As representatives of their home communities, they took great risks to draft a document explaining the reasons to seek independence. Speaking out against the king was considered treason and would have resulted in financial ruin and even death for anyone caught.

For one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, though, the act of signing was more than just the act of rebellion we know all the signers for. For William Whipple, the signing was a commitment to liberty that few signers lived up to.

According to the book Lives of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence, William Whipple was born in Kittery, Maine, in 1730. William attended public school and took a job on a merchant ship shortly after finishing. His sea voyages were very successful, and when he retired from the sea he had made a small fortune.

With that fortune, William became a successful businessman in Portsmouth before the Revolution. In part because of his success in business, he was elected to represent his community at the state congress. In 1775, he was selected as a delegate to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. He participated in the congress, ultimately signing his name, with many others, to the document that launched the rebellion.

War came shortly after the signing, and William was appointed to serve in the militia assigned to protect New Hampshire. At the time he began his military service, William owned a slave like most of his peers. The slave, named Prince, would have been expected to join William and serve with him in battle. As they were preparing to leave, Prince told William, "I have no freedom to fight for, sir." Seeing the truth in this, William is reported to have freed Prince immediately.

Today, we look back on history through a great fog of time, and with lenses clouded by our own modern values. Our Founding Fathers displayed admirable courage in crafting and signing such a brilliant claim to human liberty. The idea that all people were created equal and endowed with certain rights was revolutionary in every way. The idea that government's job was to protect this equality and these rights was also revolutionary. We can admire the signers' commitment to these principals, and also know that the issue of slavery divided the nation from the signing until long after the end of the Civil War. We would perhaps have had a different history if more of the signers, like Whipple, had seen the cruel irony in declaring the oppression of Britain unjust and at the same time oppressing an entire race of people.

Read this sentence from the text:

Today, we look back on history through a great fog of time and with lenses clouded by our own modern values.

Which of the following best explains the point of this sentence? (5 points)

• We cannot clearly see or understand the events of the past.

• We lack beliefs by which to judge the past.

• We should only view the past through our biases.

• We should give credit to history even if we find fault with it.

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2