Answer Close-Reading Questions
Have students write their responses or use the Close-Reading Questions to guide a discussion.
• Why did Austin Dabney fight in the war? What happened to him after it? (Key Details)
Dabney fought in the war because his enslaver didn’t want to and sent the teen in his place. After the war, Dabney was left with a disability, but the state of Georgia gave him land and paid for his freedom.
• What does Matthew Skic mean when he says “Women, even back in 1776, were asserting that ‘all men are created equal’ does indeed apply to them”? (Making Meaning)
He is referring to a famous phrase from the Declaration of Independence. Although the document mentions only men, women like Emily Geiger had important roles in the Revolution, and many of them wanted to be treated equally.
• What does the excerpt from Private Yankee Doodle reveal about the American Revolution? (Primary Sources)
The excerpt from Joseph Plumb Martin’s book shows how difficult conditions for soldiers were during the war. He describes them being cold, hungry, and exhausted. Joseph says that he never slept a minute in two weeks.