A1.
The two strategies that the Whig leader Samuel Adams might have used are: making connections and identification of direction of the main ideas. These two strategies focus on sharpening the aim of a discussion and exploring deeper into the discussion. Through making connections to various Whigs and participants, Samuel was able to sharpen the focus of the problem hence a convening of the meeting at Old South Meeting House. Alternatively, identification of the direction of the problem at hand—a part of exploring strategy—resulted in Samuel resolving that the ships returning to Britain without Tax being paid.
A2.
Critical thinking is important in evaluating historical events such as the Boston Tea party as it entails consideration of facts through core skills that include: reasoning both deductively and inductively, comparing facts, planning, hypothesizing, patterning, and even critiquing the facts. Therefore with this skills one can further be creative through coming up with something original. Creative thinking is important as it promotes difference of opinions apart from also curiosity. Therefore in combining critical and creative thinking evaluation of events will not only be logical but in a broad intellectual criteria such as clarity, accurate, depth, breath, fair, significance, and precise.
A3.
Their basis of moral judgment was based on religion and personal values. Both of their moral judgements were right but they resulted in a stand-off that ultimately led to the Tea Party. Samuel Adams believed that taxation should be done by elected representatives hence taxation by the British to its colonies was an illegal act even to God. Therefore the judgement he made was that the tea be sent back to Britain without paying tax. Hutchison on the other hand believed in duty and believed that God required him to be loyal to leadership. This is why his moral judgement was that the Dartmouth (Tea Ship) be impounded until it paid the required taxes.
A4.
Individuality is about sticking to one’s beliefs without being coerced or pressured to appease people or an entity. Therefore through individuality one is distinguished from the population through their character as a person who is their own man. Samuel Adams was expressed individuality by urging the crowd that the tea ship returns to Britain without paying taxes. He also expressed individuality by claiming responsibility of the Tea Party despite his intention that it should not happen. Hatchison on the other hand showed individuality by not bending to the resolutions of other Whigs and allowing taxation on tea imports to persist. His decision to insist on the taxation of the imported tea and impounding of the tea ship resulted to the stand-off and subsequent Tea Party scenario.
A5.
The bad habits that resulted in the Tea Party episode were face saving and mine-is-better complex. Hatchison resorted to saving the face of the British government and so insisted that the ship be held until it paid taxes as opposed to returning with the tea which would be an embarrassment. The same habit also resulted in the protestors throwing the tea chests overboard. The mine-is-better complex led to the stand-off as no one wanted to listen to the other. The habits could be avoided through meta-cognition where the two individuals would reflect on their thinking modes, evaluate possible consequences and come up with a solution
A6.
Since the event occurred in 1773 which is more than three hundred years ago then, various distinctions are important in evaluating the information. The one distinction that cannot be overlooked is fact and interpretation where the facts that led to the event such as taxation Acts, illegal tea trades and financial situation of East Indies company is evaluated and then interpretation of what happened be done. Therefore without actually being there through facts and interpretation critical thinkers can know who the major players were (Samuel Adams and Thomas Hatchison), what caused the event (Taxation of Tea imports), where the event occurred (Boston), and most importantly why the event occurred (protest against taxation by overseas colonists).
A7.
The first step in critically, reading, listening, and viewing I previewed the information so that I get a rough idea of the event then contextualising the information so that the information is placed in their historical, cultural, and biographical perspective. I then asked other learners and tutors questions about the event and then personally reflected on the information to get the in-depth information. I then outlined and summarized the ideas to distinguish the main ideas from the supporting ones after which I evaluated the issue through analysing the logic, credibility, and emotional impact of the event. Related materials were also compared and contrasted to anchor understanding.
A8.
The two individuals—Hutchison and Adams—could have averted the Boston Tea Party episode through being more creative in their thinking. They could have invented a new procedure of solving problems through dialogue in diplomatic avenues which was new then. The answer to the problem should be the one where both parties could live with. Both parties should also be willing to compromise on their stands and come up with long lasting solutions that would act as the basis for even tackling future similar dilemmas. Apart from dialogue, new ideas of problem solving could be obtained through brainstorming, investigations, and researching on ways other similar problems were tackled in the past.
A9.
Ways that I can use in regaining curiosity levels of a particular subject include sharing of similar information that is inspirational. For instance, discussing in a class about how the Boston Tea Party led to American Revolution wars. Another way is outlining ideas that are vague and following up on them through research. Through research creative ideas can be achieved that would result in satisfaction of answers about vague questions on a subject. Also I can recognise controversies in the disciplines and form them coming up with opportunities to find new perspectives, criticizing ideas and even planning for the future in case of history.
A10.
Analysing the information and researches it can be said that the cause of the Boston Tea Party and the American Revolution was caused by two elements in 1773 that are:
Financial problems of the British East Company: - This resulted in the British parliament granting the company monopoly in importing and exporting tea. This was achieved with an additional refund of 25% tax to the company.
Dispute of the authority of British parliament power to its colonies: - The American colony did not support paying tea taxes when they themselves had not elected the representatives that passed the laws. The conflict resulted in the Boston Tea Party event.
