GUIDING QUESTIONS

•             1) What primary factors led to the American Revolution?

•             2) Was the American Revolution justified?

•             3) What is necessary to have a revolution?

DISCUSSION

The time leading up to American independence from Great Britain was full of controversy and uneasiness, across the colonies.  Great Britain was trying to recover financial losses from the French and Indian War and the colonists in the New World were feeling separated and independent from British influence.  The British desire to recover financial losses from the Colonies and a new realization of independence in the Colonies set up an atmosphere ideal for rebellious thoughts and actions.  Historical scholars, still today, debate the legitimacy (rightness) for the ultimate rebellion against Great Britain.  Was the Revolution justified?  Did it really make sense?  Should the Colonists have to obey a power that was far away and disconnected from their daily lives?  What right did Great Britain have to demand money from them?  All of these questions were (and still are) often discussed.  You will explore these issues as you progress through the activity for this lesson.

For this lesson, you will be visiting the following website: http://www.pride.hofstra.edu/~rtuost1/americanrevolutionwebquest.htm  From the very beginning, remember this:  Your primary goal is to answer this question: What is necessary to have a revolution?  Don't lose sight of this as you progress through the webquest.  YBassed on the FIRST LETTER of your last name you will be assuming one of the following roles: Military Support (A-F), Political Leadership (G-M), Civilian Support (N-T), or a Loyalist (U-Z).  You will be examining causes and justifications for rebellion based upon one of these perspectives.  Keep in mind, you will only be assuming the role of ONE of these historical perspectives.   

Assignment 1.02 - The Ideology of the American Revolution

1. Based on the role you have been assigned, complete the webquest at:  http://www.pride.hofstra.edu/~rtuost1/americanrevolutionwebquest.htm.
2. You will NOT be doing the group project for this WebQuest.  Simply complete the questions specific to the individual you have been assigned.  Answer the questions in a Word Document.
3. Go to the assignment  area and click on Assignment 1.02.  Attach your Word Document.

For those doing the Military Perspective. Use the following links.

The Continental Army

             http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty/chronicle_trenton1776.html

             http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty/chronicle_saratoga1777.html

             http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty/chronicle_yorktown1781.html

 Perspectives on Liberty – The Military 

            http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty/perspectives_military.html

 The Diary of Colonel Landon Carter

             http://www.history.org/history/teaching/tchaadia.cfm