Task
Process
The following questions and tasks will lead you through some of the major events, people and places of the American Revolutionary War. The Internet sites have been preselected to help you locate a variety of reliable resources about the war.
1. Who was the King of England in the 1760's?
Write three interesting things that you learned about him.
2. From 1756-1763, the British and French fought over territory in North America. This struggle was called TheFrench and Indian War.
What was the result of this war for the colonists? Write your answer in your Revolutionary War journal.
3. The British Parliament passed the Stamp Act in 1765.
Why were the colonists so angry about this act?
Did the colonists really tar and feather the tax collectors?
Use information from the text to help explain your thinking.
4. The Boston Massacre was fought in 1770.
What caused this conflict?
Who was the first black person to die during this event?
Write a journal entry about the incident from the point of view of a British soldier, a colonist, and an uninvolved third party.
5. Learn about the Boston Tea Party. Be sure to watch the video.
Go to Liberty Kids and watch episode 01 to learn more about the Boston Tea Party.
When the Americans dumped the tea from a British ship into the Boston Harbor, they proved that they were more concerned about a principle than in saving money on something that was a very important part of their lives. The colonists did not want to be taxed unless they could have a voice in the ways taxes could be levied upon them. Where would you draw the line between your principles and your wants?
Suppose you, like the colonists, disagreed with a tax that was being imposed on you. The tax is levied against things that are very important to you. Divide your paper into two columns. In one column list the things you couldn't live without and would pay a tax on, even though it is against your principles; in the other column list those things you would "throw overboard," rather than pay the tax.
6. What were the Intolerable Acts?
Go to Liberty Kids and watch episode 02 to learn more about the Intolerable Acts.
7. When and why did the Continental Congress first meet?
Go to Liberty Kids and watch episode 03 to learn more about the First Continental Congress.
Important Places and Events of the Revolution
8. British and American soldiers first exchanged gunshots at the towns of Lexington and Concord.
What was the date of this battle?
Watch the video The Shot Heard Round the World
Why had the British troops been sent to Concord and Lexington?
9. Play the Simulation Game Road to Independence
This is a revolutionary simulation. You will act as the commander of the continental army. You will be responsible for managing troops, trading for supplies and money,and for coping with disasters.
10. There were 8 major battles during the Revolutionary War.
Use the Interactive Battles Map to learn about the battles of the Revolutionary War.
Choose one battle. Include at least the following:
What was the date of the battle?
Where did it take place?
Who won?
11. The Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson in June of 1776. Read a transcription of the Declaration to find out:
What three unalienable rights are named in the document?
What three grievances that are expressed in the declaration?
Draft a version of your own Declaration of Independence, in which you declare yourself free from whatever it is that is oppressing you.
Watch the video Declaring Independence
12. Experience the signing of the Declaration of Independence alongside our forefathers at this interactive site.
Choose "black and white" for the printer.
Sign the document and print.
13. The colonists might have lost the war without the help of France. Name two reasons the French were willing to side with the American revolutionaries against England.
14. What, where and when was the last major battle of the war fought?
15. What treaty ended the war? When was it officially ratified by the new United States of America?
16. Create a time line of the Revolutionary War.
17. In what year was our first president elected?
Important People of the Revolution
18. Ben Franklin, John Hancock, and Paul Revere are well known patriots from the War of Independence. What others can you name? Pick one patriot to research.
Use the Google search engine to find at least two sources for the person you chose. Write a short biography on that person using these sources.
Include which side of the war he or she was on, and several other interesting facts about the person.
| Abigail Smith Adams |
Crispus Attucks |
Molly Pitcher |
Martha Washington |
| Benjamin Franklin |
George Washington |
Thomas Jefferson |
Samuel Adams |
| Thomas Paine |
Paul Revere |
Benedict Arnold |
Patrick Henry |
| John Hancock |
John Adams |
Nathaniel Greene |
Nathan Hale |
| Deborah Sampson |
Marquis de Lafayette |
John Paul Jones |
Cornwallis |
| Ethan Allen |
John Burgoyne |
Richard Henry Lee |
Betsy Ross |
19. What young woman posed as a man so that she could serve for the American Army in the Revolutionary War?
Visit the website Amazing Women in War and Peace. Name one other woman who aided the cause of the American Army. Create a poster about her-be sure to include fascinating facts!
20. Test your knowledge of the Road to Revolution with this fun and informative interactive game.
