Lessons in American History Using Primary Sources
A Series of Webquests
By Laura Thompson
UPS 1: America's Free!
Historical Context – By the 1760's, Colonials living
in the Americas were feeling exploited by the English. Their main complaint was
"taxation without representation." The American Revolution would lead
to "the founding of a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to
the proposition that all men are created equal."
Driving
Question: What were Americans hoping to achieve by separating from England? How
did their philosophical ideals shape their hopes?
Part A |
The following documents provide information of
events, people and ideals of the American fight for independence. Examine
each document carefully. In the space provided, answer the question or
questions that follow each document. |
Document
1 - National Archives (available at: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration.html).The
American colonists form a congress and that congress formally declares its
intentions—in a declaration of independence. Read the first two paragraphs of
the Declaration of Independence.
What intentions and hopes does the document declare?
Document
2 - http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/learning_history/revolution/image1.cfm.
One of the first casualties of the American Revolution was an African American
named Crispus Attucks. He died at the Boston Massacre. View a painting of that
event here.
Describe some of the important elements in the picture
above. Explain what message the artist was trying to convey.
Document
3 - Poetry EServer (available at - http://poetry.eserver.org/paul-revere.html).
Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride, written by Henry W. Longfellow in 1861,
commemorates America’s fight for independence… and the heroic efforts of all
those who fought. Read the first two stanzas and the last two stanzas
Discuss the importance of heroes.
Document
4 - http://publicdomainclip-art.blogspot.com/2010/07/spirit-of-76-yankee-doodle-1776.html.
The illustration below was painted by Archibald MacNeal Willard around 1875 and
is known as The Spirit of 1776. View a copy of the painting here.
Describe some of the important elements in the picture
above. Explain what message the artist was trying to convey.
Document
5 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yankee_Doodle.
Tradition
says that the British military officers mocked the disheveled, disorganized
colonial "Yankees" with whom they served in the French and Indian War
by singing Yankee Doodle Dandy (this
was prior to the revolution). It is believed that the tune comes from the nursery
rhyme Lucy Locket. One version of the Yankee Doodle lyrics is
"generally attributed" to Doctor Richard Shuckburgh, a British Army
surgeon. According to one story, Shuckburgh wrote the song after seeing the
appearance of Colonial troops under Colonel Thomas Fitch, Jr., the son of
Connecticut Governor Thomas Fitch. Read the entire lyrics of this song,
Explain how Americans might be offended and honored by
the verses given above.
Document
6 - National Archives (http://archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html).
The American system of government and every citizens' rights and
responsibilities are described in one founding document—The Constitution of the
United States of America. Read the preamble.
What are the main purposes of the Federal government?
Explain these purposes.
Part B |
How did the philosophical ideals of the American
Revolution shape the United States of America? How did these ideals make
lasting contributions to humankind? |