Prospect Hill. Bunker's Hill.

A satiric handbill, printed during the Siege of Boston (1775-1776), comparing the lives of British and American soldiers

Historical Period

The American Revolution and A New Nation

includes

9 Analysis questions 7 Vocabulary Words

contributing partner

This appears to be the only surviving copy of a handbill (a small printed sheet, often an advertisement, distributed by hand) printed by the revolutionaries during the Siege of Boston (1775-1776). It compares the lives of Continental Army (stationed at Prospect Hill) to the miserable conditions faced by the British soldiers (stationed at Bunker Hill). The back of the handbill included a satirical letter written to British soldiers from “An old soldier,” however, the analysis questions focus on the front only.

Creator:

Unidentified Printer

Date Created:

1775

Format:

Poster

Materials and Measurements:

26.5cm x 10.9cm

Point of Origin:

Cambridge or Watertown, MA

Object Identifier #:

Bdses-Sm 1775

Alt Text:

A small rectangular flyer titled Prospect Hill/Bunker Hill, printed on aged paper

Citation Label:

Prospect Hill. Bunker's Hill. Handbill, [Cambridge or Watertown, MA, 1775?], Massachusetts Historical Society

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Creator:

Unidentified Printer

Date Created:

1775

Format:

Poster

Materials and Measurements:

26.5cm x 10.9cm

Point of Origin:

Cambridge or Watertown, MA

Object Identifier #:

Bdses-Sm 1775

Alt Text:

A small rectangular flyer titled Prospect Hill/Bunker Hill, printed on aged paper

Citation Label:

Prospect Hill. Bunker's Hill. Handbill, [Cambridge or Watertown, MA, 1775?], Massachusetts Historical Society

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Prospect Hill. Bunker's Hill.

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Analysis Questions

Foster inquiry and understanding with these source-specific questions, designed to be accessible even for those with limited background knowledge.

say hello to the source

1.

A handbill is a small printed sheet or advertisement. What do you notice about this handbill?
2.

What do you wonder about this handbill?

make observations

3.

What parts does this handbill have? How is it divided and organized?
4.

Read the handbill. How does the handbill describe life on Prospect Hill? How does it describe life on Bunker Hill?
5.

Describe this source in one sentence.

interpret what you see

6.

This handbill was made and distributed during the Siege of Boston. The British army was stationed at Bunker Hill and the revolutionaries were stationed at Prospect Hill. Based on what the handbill says, which side likely made it?
7.

Who might have been the audience for this handbill? What was the purpose of making it?

use it as evidence

8.

This handbill is considered by historians to be an example of psychological warfare, a military tactic which tries to influence the enemy’s emotions, mood, or morale. How do you think this handbill might have made a British soldier feel? What else would you want to know in order to better understand this?
9.

Over the eight years of the Revolutionary War, the British would lose more soldiers to desertion (illegally leaving the army) than in combat. What does this fact suggest about the British army and British soldiers?