For history class, I will be debating someone role playing as William Pit. I will be Benjamin Franklin. The theme is Loyalists vs. Patriots. I'm on the Patriots team (obviously). Here's my points so far
Benjamin Franklin- America Owes Taxes Because of the French/Indian War:

Topic: Americans owed taxes after the French and Indian War because the war was extremely costly for Great Britain, and to recoup the expenses incurred defending the colonies, the British government began imposing taxes on the colonists to help pay off the war debt, leading to growing resentment among the colonists who felt they were being taxed without proper representation in Parliament. 

•  Benjamin Franklin believed that the heavy taxation placed on American colonies after the French and Indian War, which they largely funded, was unfair and contributed significantly to the growing discontent that eventually led to the American Revolution; he actively protested against such policies through his writings and political actions.
•  Franklin strongly argued that the colonies should not be heavily taxed without representation in Parliament, a key principle that fueled the revolutionary movement. Initially moderate in his stance on the issues that divided the colonies from the mother country, Franklin’s perspective evolved to one of vocal support for independence. 
•  Franklin also wrote satirical essays on the relationship between an overbearing Britain and its colonies in North America.
•  He also  played a significant role in protesting the Stamp Act, a tax on printed materials, by lobbying against it in Britain and exposing its unfairness to the colonists.

I have two minutes to argue my point. Any tips or ideas? Not sure if this is the right subreddit. Keep in mind arguments should be in first point of view.

I know sword were mainly used during close quarters combat, but once both sides brought out their swords, how common was it for a soldier to just pull a loaded pistol out to kill someone?

Please delete if not allowed as I appreciate this may be slightly off topic!

I’m currently looking to start wargaming the American War of Independence and I was hoping for some guidance for how many men formed the typical infantry, cavalry and artillery “unit” of the period - a rough number will more than do so I have a number of miniatures that looks close to right on my bases.

Thank you in advance 🙂

I’ll preface this by saying I’m not trying to cheat on an assignment. I’m a history teacher myself.

I’ve been doing research on a Hessian officer whom I believe to be an ancestor of mine. My great grandfather used to always claim a hessian in the family.

I was wondering if anyone knows how to access a digital copy of an archive entitled: “Hessian Documents of the American Revolution?” There are several secondary sources that mention my tentative ancestor that all refer back to this archive.

I see that the archive is stored in Morristown, NJ — which is too far away for me to travel to at the moment.

Thank you.

I was watching Family Guy the other day and Patrick Henry being shot after his speech was a cutaway gag. If this happened in real life, that either a rogue British soldier or mad loyalist snuck in and shot him after he finished his speech, what would happen after?

Hollywood creates an epic multi season event about the war from beginning to end with a modern day track list of music. What’s going on it and who and what for would that song play? I’ll start it off with the Beastie Boys “Sabotage” which plays as Benedict Arnold is hightailing it out of West Point before Washington arrives.

My great grandfather fought here and lived. I would love to see the reenactment.