1. How might Thomas Paine and Abigail and John Adams have responded to the dilemmas of ordinary citizens described by J. Hector St. John de Crevecoeur?

2. To what extent did Boston King and Joseph Brant disagree with ideas expressed by Paine and the Adamses? How might Paine and the Adamses have responded to King’s and Brant’s alliance with the British?

3. To what extent did the revolutionary experiences documented in this chapter support the ideals of a government of laws advanced in Common Sense? To what extent did those experiences provide evidence of a commitment to equality? To self-interest?

4. Judging from the documents in this chapter, what were the perceived achievements and limitations of independence? How did they compare to the promises and aspirations of Paine and the Adamses?