Objectives

• Discuss some of the different viewpoints of the British and the colonists at the time of the American Revolution.
• Describe different events and sentiments of the revolution as expressed in quotationquotations from the period.
• Read three primary sources and rewrite one in their own voice, including the main ideas and sentiment of the original writer.
• Describe what these primary sources reveal about the feelings of American colonists.

Materials

• Road to Revolution program
• Computer with Internet access

Procedures

1. After watching the video, discuss some of the different viewpoints of the British and the colonists before the American Revolution. Did all colonists consider themselves Americans? (Many considered themselves British Americans.) Did all colonists support the revolution and independence from Britain? How did the British feel about the colonists in America?
2. Remind students that the video included many personal quotations from the time of the revolution. They were pulled from primary sources of the period, original documents, such as letters or diaries, that describe an event in the words of those who witnessed it. Tell students they will receive a series of quotations and their challenge is to match the quotation to the correct speaker. On the board, write the names of the speakers listed below. Ask student volunteers to read aloud the quotations or provide the quotations to students on a printout. After students have identified the speakers for each quotation, ask them to briefly explain the situation or event the speaker is describing. What is the general sentiment of the quotation?


3. Next, ask students to choose and read three of the quotations above for which a source is given. Their assignment is to briefly describe each one, then choose one to rewrite in their own words. (You may want to assign these to ensure each of the sources is covered.) Their writing should reflect the important points of the original primary source, as well as the general sentiment of the writer.



4. Ask students to read aloud their rewrites of the primary sources. After they have shared their writing, discuss what these primary sources reveal about American sentiment at the time of the revolution. What were some of the different feelings held by American colonists?

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Evaluation

• Three points:  Students identified and analyzed several quotations from the period, explaining what events and sentiments they reflect from the revolution; developed a thorough, engaging rewrite of the primary source that reflected the main ideas and sentiment of the original document; clearly described various sentiments of American colonists.
• Two points:  Students identified and analyzed a few quotations from the period, explaining what events and sentiments they reflect from the revolution; developed a clear rewrite of the primary source that reflected the main ideas and sentiment of the original document; clearly described a few of the different sentiments of American colonists.
• One point:  Students did not identify or analyze any of the quotations from the period, or explain what events and sentiments they reflect from the revolution; developed a vague or inaccurate rewrite of the primary source that did not reflect the main ideas and sentiment of the original document; did not describe any of the different sentiments of American colonists.

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Vocabulary

delegate
Definition: A person chosen to represent another person or group; a representative
Context: Some delegates wanted to remain loyal to Britain, others wanted independence, and others were undecided.

militia
Definition: A body of citizens organized for military service
Context: The British regulars had served an average of ten years, while the American militia was mostly untrained.

pamphlet
Definition: A short printed publication, usually without a cover, that explains a topic or supports a position
Context: In a pamphlet called "Common Sense," author Thomas Paine criticized the idea of being ruled by a British monarch.

patriot
Definition: A person who is loyal to his or her country; in the American Revolution, patriots were the people living in the American colonies who wanted to be free of British control
Context: Two lanterns glowed briefly in the steeple of Boston's Old North Church, just long enough to signal patriots across the Charles River that the Redcoats would move that night by water.

rebel
Definition: Someone who opposes or disobeys one in authority; an American colonist who fought against the British
Context: The rebels included farmers, blacksmiths, writers, fathers and sons, and many other ordinary men who sacrificed their lives for freedom.

tax
Definition: A charge, usually of money, imposed by authority on persons or property for public purposes
Context: In 1765 Britain passed the Stamp Act, which placed a tax on all printed material, from newspapers to playing cards.

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Academic Standards

• U.S. History-Revolution and the New Nation (1754-1820s): Understands the causes of the American Revolution, the ideas and interests involved in shaping the revolutionary movement, and reasons for the American victory

• Time, Continuity, and Change
• Individuals, Groups, and Institutions
• Power, Authority, and Governance

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