CONSEQUENCES:
Much more than a revolt against
British taxes and trade regulations, the American Revolution
was the first modern revolution. It marked the first time in
history that a people fought for their independence in the name
of certain universal principles such as rule of law, constitutional
rights, and popular sovereignty. To
learn more about the Revolution's causes, history, and signficance
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"I hope you will not consider yourself as commander in chief of your own house",
Lucy Knox to her husband General Henry Knox, August 23, 1777
Maps:
(1783) The United States of North America with the British and Spanish territories according to the treaty.
Images:
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Spirit of '76. Copy of painting by Archibald M. Willard, 1876. |
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Washington Crossing the Delaware. Artist: E. Leutze. Engraver: J. Rogers |
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Molly Pitcher at the Battle of Monmouth. Copy of engraving by J.C. Armytage after Alonzo Chapel. |
Timelines:
A timeline of the Revolution
A timeline of the 18th century
Fact sheets and lesson plans:
Fact sheets:
Toward Revolution
Impact of the RevolutionRecommended lesson plan:
Declare the Causes:The Declaration of Independence
http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=282
Fact checks:
Test your knowledge about the Revolutionary War
Quiz 1
Quiz 2
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Recommended readings:
Ray Raphael, A People's History of the American Revolution. The Revolution-its origins, nature, and consequences-as seen through the eyes of ordinary people, including 15-year-old Joseph Plumb Martin, a soldier in George Washington's army; James Forten, a 15-year-old African American powder handler; Sybil Luddington, the female Paul Revere, as well as Tory loyalists, Native Americans, and slaves.
Gordon S. Wood, The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Rejecting the notion that the revolution was essentially a conservative effort to defend American rights against British encroachments, Wood argues that was the Revolution was truly revolutionary-transforming a hierarchical, deferential society into one that was much more democratic and commercial.
Recommended
film:
1776, a musical portraying the events surrounding the Continental Congress and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Learn more:
The first major film to deal with the America Revolution, Robert Goldstein's Spirit of '76, is a textbook example of a movie appearing at precisely the wrong time. The film was completed in 1917, as the United States was entering World War I as an ally of Britain. A federal appeals court judge ruled that "the disposition and purpose of the whole play is to incite hatred of England and England's soldiers." Goldstein served three years in jail for attempting to distribute a picture "calculated to foment disloyalty or insubordination" among American servicemen.
To learn more about Hollywood's depictions of the American Revolution
Recommended
Web site:
Liberty
http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty
The companion site to the PBS series Liberty! Chronicle of the Revolution.
This site was updated on 06-Oct-08.
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