Honors American Foundations bhuber@iwacademy.org Mr. Huber Lap 2: From Ideas to Independence, the American Revolution Lap 2 Essential Question: Were the early Americans justified in their declaration of independence from the British, their colonial fathers? Late Assignments from Lap 1 Are all due by Day 6 of this Lap. Failure to turn in late or missing work by Day 6 of this Lap will result in a zero for that particular assignment no exceptions. Overview 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. The Causes of the Revolution The roots of the American Revolution can be traced to the year 1763 when British leaders began to tighten imperial reins. Britain s land policy prohibiting settlement in the West irritated colonists as did the arrival of British troops. The most serious problem was the need for money to support the empire. Attempts through the Sugar Act, the Stamp Act, and the Townshend Acts to raise money rather than control trade met with growing resistance in the colonies. Tensions increased further after Parliament passed the Coercive Acts and the First Continental Congress took the first steps toward independence from Britain. Before the colonies gained independence, they had to fight a long and bitter war. Rationale The United States is presently the greatest success story when it comes to democracy and independence. While still a young nation, this country has created a precedent that many other nations have followed and are modeling their government after today. We will examine how the United States came to be and operated under their first real government, the Articles of Confederation. Learning Goals 1. Apply the various political, social, and economic ideologies to the origin of the Revolution in the colonies. 2. Discuss how the decision to declare independence was reached. 3. Analyze the arguments over the Articles of Confederation.
Summative Assessment Lap 2 Essential Question: Were the early Americans justified in their declaration of independence from their colonial fathers? Lap 2 s summative assessment will follow the same format as Lap 1 s did. You will have a variety of question types ranging from multiple choice, matching, true/false, yes or no, and reading comprehension. Your test will be over all notes taken in class, topics discussed, readings, homework assignments, and quizzes. Everything is up for assessment. Your test will be around 50 questions, there may be more question but probably less. & in the Testing Center on 2/9 2/11 C D E Days If you test with Mrs. Stokes please let me know. Lap 2 Project Was there a real justification to leave the crown? Was the Declaration of Independence warranted? Write a 600 to 700 word essay on the essential question, Were the early Americans justified in their declaration of independence from the British, their colonial fathers? You will not be graded on your decision, rather the support and defense of your choice. Your paper must follow these specific guidelines: Your assignment is considered a summative and is also worth 100 points the same as a Lap test. 600 700 words; that is about 3 4 pages double spaced Must follow the writing guidelines (heading, font, font size, etc.) Proper grammar is essential Proper source citation is a must as well in the body of the paper Introduction paragraph where you tell me specifically your choice. Three body paragraphs each with their own reason why with supporting details in each paragraph. Conclusion paragraph where you wrap everything up. This should be tied in with the EQ. An MLA works cited page with a minimum of five sources. You can use your We the People text more than once, but you can only count it as one source even if you use it multiple times. Essay must also be emailed to me in addition to the hard copy. & 2/9
Enrichment Should we remain loyal to the crown? In We the People read Unit 1, Lesson 9: What basic ideas about Government did the state constitutions include? How did the new states protect rights? Create a poster or political cartoon explaining why you and your state should either stay loyal to the crown and monarchy in England or declare your independence. You may complete this poster or cartoon on a simple sheet of computer paper. However; your drawing must be original, have a slogan, and clearly explain your point with not a whole lot of text. & C Day 2/9 Open Lab Requirements Your open lab for this Lap in American Foundations is a vocabulary quiz over the terms you have read in the We the People book. Your quiz should only take one mod so you do not need to stay the whole time. The terms quiz will have 20 items on it, each term will be worth 1 point. Quiz must be taken on or before Calendar of Events 1. Due at class time Nothing. Day 1 2. What we are doing today Pre-Test. Define the following: Heroic, Economic, Social, Democratic, and Liberty Heroic, Economic, and Social. Also, how they relate to the American Revolution. 3. Assignment due for next class On the Weebly site, read the Major Interpretations handout. This is very important. Next, in We the People read Unit 1, Lesson 6: How did Representative Government begin in England and Unit 1, Lesson 7: What basic ideas about Rights and Constitutional Government did Colonial Americans have? Be prepared for a quiz over the readings. Day 2 1. Due at class time Discussion of readings. Be prepared for a quiz over the readings. 2. What we are doing today Quiz over all three readings. Discussion over why the Revolution took place to begin with in context of the Major Interpretations reading. Begin discussion over the Seven Years War (also known as the French and Indian War). 3. Assignment due for next class On the Weebly site watch the video titled, The Seven Years War. Next, answer the following questions in complete sentences. 1. What was the main cause of the French and Indian War/Seven Years War? 2. What locations around the world did this conflict take place in? 3. What were the major outcomes of the war? 4. How did the war impact the new American colonists? D Day 1/26 D Day 1/26 F Day 1/28 E Day 1/27
Day 3 1. Due at class time Bring your answers to class and be ready to defend your position aloud in class. 2. What we are doing today Discussion over the video and French and Indian War. Taxes following the war. 3. Assignment due for next class On the Weebly site watch the video titled, The Seven Years War Explained. Next, In We the People read Unit 1 Lesson 8: Why did the American colonists want to free themselves from Britain? What basic ideas about Government did the Founders put in the Declaration of Independence? Be prepared for a quiz over the video and readings. 1/29 F Day 1/28 Day 4 1. Due at class time Discussion of readings. Be prepared for a quiz over the reading. 2. What we are doing today Quiz over the video and the We the People reading. The road to rebellion. 3. Assignment due for next class During the first years of independence, the grievances that had persuaded the American colonists to seek independence had an effect on how American shaped their state and national governments. The abuse of power by the British government made them distrustful of strong central government and strong executive power. The violation of such fundamental rights convinced them to secure these rights by formal declarations in the new state constitutions and eventually in the U.S. Constitution. J Day 2/3 1/29 For additional help in understanding the Declaration of Independence watch the video on the Weebly site titled, Understanding the Declaration of Independence: Nine Key Concepts Everyone should know Answer each of the following two questions below in 5 8 well constructed sentences. You must also pull in two direct quotes from the Declaration of Independence in each question. 1. The Declaration of Independence states that people have a right to abolish their government. Under what circumstances, if any, do you think such an action is justified? 2. Would the Declaration of Independence justify a state leaving the union if a majority of its citizens wished to do so? Why or why not? Bring your hand written or printed out responses to class and be ready to discuss.
Day 5 1. Due at class time Answers to questions over the reading. Be ready to defend your answers. 2. What we are doing today A new government and the Articles of Confederation. 3. Assignment due for next class On the Weebly site watch the video titled, Articles of Confederation vs. the United States Constitution. Next, In We the People read Unit 2, Lesson 10: Why did the Founders want to change the Articles of Confederation of 1781? Be prepared for a quiz over the readings. Answer the following question, In 1776, each of the newly independent states created its own government. In addition to these state governments, Americans also considered creating a national government to manage relationships among the states and to unite the states in their relations with the rest of the world. At the Second Continental Congress in July of 1775 many proposals were made for a new central government. Finally on June 7, 1776 the Articles of Confederation were adopted. Be very thorough with your response. You should have at least two positive and two negative aspects. Answer the following questions below in 5 8 well constructed sentences. Bring your printed out responses to class and be ready to discuss. What were the positive and negative aspects of having a weak national government for the newly creates United States of America? Day 6 1. Due at class time Discussion of the video and the reading. Be prepared for a quiz over the reading. 2. What we are doing today Discussion of the Articles and why they needed to be amended. Review of key concepts. 3. Assignment due for next class Study for your Lap 2 summative assessment! Get ready for Lap 3 the United States Constitution and learning the Preamble, 7 Articles, the 27 Amendments, and the inner workings of how our government actually works. A Day 2/5 B Day 2/6 Coming up next Lap 3 The United States Constitution