Unit Topic: The American Revolution
Clarifying State Standards
Vertical Alignment
Coming into this unit, students should have a strong foundation in:
Essential Understanding(s)
The students will understand that…
Essential Vocabulary
Students will know...
Clarifying State Standards
- C&G.1.2-Evaluate the degree to which democratic ideals are evident in historical documents from North Carolina and the United States (e.g. the Mecklenburg Resolves, the Halifax Resolves, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the Bill of Rights and the principles outlined in the US Constitution and North Carolina Constitutions of 1776, 1868 and 1971).
- H.2.1-Explain the impact of economic, political, social, and military conflicts (e.g. war, slavery, states’ rights and citizenship and immigration policies) on the development of North Carolina and the United States.
- H.3.3-Explain how individuals and groups have influenced economic, political and social change in North Carolina and the United States.
- H.1.2-Summarize the literal meaning of historical documents in order to establish context.
Vertical Alignment
Coming into this unit, students should have a strong foundation in:
- The physical geography of the 13 colonies, the surrounding regions, and the Atlantic Ocean.
- The diversity of beliefs and traditions among the colonies.
- The concept of salutary neglect and that many new taxes Great Britain levied against the colonists following the French and Indian War.
- The desires and actions of citizens seeking change in government.
Essential Understanding(s)
The students will understand that…
- H.2.1 - Several economic and political conflicts, including the French and Indian War and British Acts imposed on the colonists, led to the American Revolution.
- H.3.3 - A number of groups and individuals (The First and Second Continental Congresses, The Sons of Liberty, and patriots) influenced political and social change in North Carolina and the United States.
C&G.1.2 - The ideals of freedom, democracy and self government are evident in founding documents. - H.1.2 - The Declaration of Independence ended the relationship between the colonists and the British monarchy.
- H.2.1- What political and economic conflicts led to the American Revolution?
- H.3.3 - How did resistance groups influence political and social change?
- C&G.1.2- How are the ideals of freedom, democracy and self government are evident in founding documents?
H.1.2- How did the Declaration of Independence sever the relationship between Great Britain and the Colonies?
Essential Vocabulary
Students will know...
- The Revolutionary Era began with the culmination of the French and Indian War, when colonists were asked to pay for the war, but were forbidden from settling the lands won as a result.
- Britain imposed a series of unpopular taxes and laws on the colonists in order to pay for the war, the continued military presence, and to quash colonial protest.
- The Declaration of Independence was based on Enlightenment ideas from John Locke about the rights of man, the role of government, and the use of logic. Thomas Jefferson was one of the signers of this document.
- Many Americans remained loyal or were called loyalists to the British government throughout the Revolutionary War.
- The revolutionaries or patriots had several advantages, including the ability to fight the war at home and the motivation of knowing that if they lost they would certainly be put to death for treason.
- After the battle of Lexington and Concord, North Carolina was first to declare their independence from Great Britain, and subsequently sent Mecklenburg Resolves to the King.