Unit IV: What Was the American Revolution? 1760-1836




Content to be Covered:

1. Many reasons existed for the American Revolution and the independence that came from it.

2. The Declaration of Independence was only a beginning. Freedom would not come to many until much later in American history. Even though the Declaration of Independence stated that "all men are created equal," slavery continued.

3. The American Revolution affected people in different ways; some became heroes, while other ordinary lives were affected in extraordinary ways.

4. The United States Constitution was an integral part of the American Revolution, creating the national government which secured and protected the freedoms fought for by the patriots.

Teacher Rationale:

This unit introduces the students to the basic causes, experiences, and outcomes of the American Revolution and the creation of a new government. The lessons focus on the concepts of freedom and independence, demonstrating how they affected many people in different ways. The unit ends with a lesson on the Constitution; students should understand that this document and the new nation that it created are the ultimate outcomes of the Revolution and the results of all of the efforts for freedom and independe nce.


 Table of Contents:

Lesson 1: Understanding Freedom and Independence.
Lesson 2: The Promise of the Declaration of Independence.
Lesson 3: People of the American Revolution in Fact and Fiction.
Lesson 4: The Places of the American Revolution.
Lesson 5: The United States Constitution.
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