Question

The colonial militiamen demand Mr. Meeker's gun because:

a) They suspect him of being a British spy
b) They need more weapons for their cause
c) It's a family heirloom
d) They want to sell it for profit

Answer 1

The colonial militiamen demanded Mr. Meeker's gun because they required additional arms to bolster their cause during the buildup to the Revolutionary War. b) They need more weapons for their cause

Step-by-step explanation:

The colonial militiamen demanded Mr. Meeker's gun because they needed more weapons for their cause. During the tense prelude to the Revolutionary War, colonial militias, which consisted of local men ready to fight at a moment's notice, were gathering arms to prepare for potential conflict.

These militias, known as Minutemen, recognized the need to amass weapons and ammunition as they faced the prospect of combat against British forces. This is evidenced by the historical context where General Thomas Gage, the British commander, had orders to disarm the rebels and seize their weaponry, leading to the anticipation that the militia would need to be well-armed for the looming conflict.