Essential Question
Why did different groups of people have such different perspectives on the American Revolution?
Use This Unit for Your Capstone!
This is your MOST IMPORTANT unit for answering both capstone questions:
Question 1: What revolutionary ideas did America create?
Look for: Declaration of Independence ("All men are created equal"), natural rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness), "no taxation without representation"
Why it matters: These ideas were REVOLUTIONARY! Most countries had kings who ruled by force. America said governments should serve the people - this inspired people worldwide!
Question 2: Who fought to claim these ideals?
Look for: Women (Abigail Adams), enslaved and free Black Americans (Crispus Attucks), Indigenous peoples - all fought FOR independence but were excluded from the freedoms they helped win
KEY MESSAGE: These groups didn't reject American ideals - they believed in them! They used the Declaration to demand inclusion. This is the story of America: the ongoing struggle to make "all men are created equal" actually mean ALL people.
Key Concepts
The Big Idea: The American Revolution meant different things to different people. While some saw it as a fight for freedom and independence, others saw it as a threat to their way of life, economic interests, or safety. Understanding these diverse perspectives helps us see that history is complex and that the same event can have very different meanings depending on who you are.
Major Themes
- Multiple Perspectives: Patriots, Loyalists, enslaved people, Indigenous nations, women, and soldiers all had different reasons for supporting or opposing the Revolution
- The Paradox of Freedom: America fought for liberty while denying freedom to enslaved people
- Unheard Voices: Many groups contributed to the Revolution but their stories are often left out of traditional histories
- Causes of the Revolution: Taxation without representation, British control, economic restrictions
Essential Vocabulary
Click each card to see the definition
Proclamation
An official announcement or order made by a government or ruler
Quarter/Quartering
To provide housing, food, and supplies to soldiers
Tax
Money that people are required to pay to the government
Representation
Having someone speak and vote for you in government
Boycott
Refusing to buy or use certain goods as a form of protest
Repeal
To officially cancel or revoke a law
Intolerable (Coercive)
Too extreme or severe to be endured; unbearable
Minutemen
Colonial militia members ready to fight at a minute's notice
Casualties
People killed or injured in a battle or conflict
Escalation
When a conflict grows more intense or serious over time
Patriot
A colonist who supported independence from Britain
Loyalist (Tory)
A colonist who remained loyal to King George III and Britain
Neutral
Refusing to take sides in a conflict
Perspective
A person's point of view shaped by their experiences and identity
Rebellion
Armed resistance against a government or ruler
Independence
Freedom from being controlled by another country; self-governance
Unalienable Rights
Rights that cannot be taken away - they belong to all people
Consent of the Governed
Government power comes from the permission of the people it rules
Tyranny
Cruel, oppressive, and unjust use of power
Treason
The crime of betraying your country
Abolish
To completely eliminate or destroy something
Usurpations
Illegal seizures of power or rights
Important People & Perspectives
We studied many individuals who experienced the Revolution differently based on their identity and circumstances:
Key Events
- French and Indian War (1754-1763) Set the stage for Revolution; Britain gained territory but went into debt; led to increased taxation of colonies
- Stamp Act (1765) Tax on printed materials; colonists protested "taxation without representation"
- Boston Massacre (1770) British soldiers killed five colonists including Crispus Attucks; increased tensions
- Boston Tea Party (1773) Patriots dumped British tea into Boston Harbor to protest Tea Act
- Declaration of Independence (1776) Colonies officially declared independence from Britain
- Battle of Yorktown (1781) Final major battle; American victory (with French help); intelligence from James Armistead Lafayette helped win this battle
Important Groups & Organizations
- Sons of Liberty Patriot organization that organized protests and boycotts; led Boston Tea Party
- Daughters of Liberty Women's organization that supported boycotts by making homemade goods instead of buying British products
- Continental Army American military force led by George Washington
- British Redcoats British soldiers fighting to maintain control of colonies
Women in the Revolution
- Abigail Adams Wife of John Adams; urged leaders to "remember the ladies" when creating new laws; managed family farm during war
- Deborah Sampson Disguised herself as a man to fight in the Continental Army
- Sybil Ludington 16-year-old who rode through the night to warn militia of British attack (similar to Paul Revere)
- Molly Pitcher Brought water to soldiers and took over firing cannon when her husband was wounded
- Nancy Hart Georgia patriot who captured Loyalist soldiers
African Americans in the Revolution
- Phillis Wheatley Enslaved poet who became the first African American to publish a book of poetry; wrote about freedom and slavery; wrote a poem to George Washington
- James Armistead Lafayette Enslaved man who served as a double agent (spy) for the Patriots; his intelligence helped win the war; had to fight for his freedom even after the war ended
- Crispus Attucks Former enslaved man killed in the Boston Massacre; considered the first casualty of the American Revolution
- Peter Salem Formerly enslaved soldier who fought at Bunker Hill
- The Paradox: Many enslaved people fought for American freedom while not being free themselves; some joined the British who promised freedom
Indigenous Perspectives
- Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea) Mohawk leader who sided with the British because he believed they would better protect Indigenous lands
- Indigenous Nations' Dilemma: Had to choose sides; feared American expansion onto their lands; different nations made different choices
Other Perspectives
- Young Soldiers & Teenage Patriots Many teenagers fought in the war; faced danger and hardship
- Benedict Arnold American general who became a traitor; shows complexity of loyalties during the Revolution
Videos & Resources
Review these videos we watched in class:
📁 Class Slides & Resources
Access all slides, handouts, and materials from this unit:
Open Unit 3 Google Drive Folder →Note: Requires Edmonds School District account to access
Reflection Questions
Use these to help you prepare your capstone answer:
- Why would a Patriot want independence? What did they hope to gain?
- Why would a Loyalist want to stay with Britain? What were their concerns?
- How did enslaved people experience the Revolution differently than free colonists?
- Why did Indigenous nations have to choose sides? What were their concerns?
- How did women contribute to the Revolution even though they couldn't vote or hold office?
- What does it mean that America fought for "freedom" while enslaving people?
- Whose voices are often left out of Revolutionary War stories? Why does it matter?
Check Your Notes & Assignments
To gather more evidence for your capstone, look back at:
- Your podcast script about a Revolutionary figure
- Notes from the French and Indian War lesson
- "Decisions & Choices of the Revolutionary War" handout
- Class discussions about different perspectives
- Any videos or primary sources we analyzed
For Your Capstone Project
Evidence from This Unit:
For Question 1 (Revolutionary Ideals):
- Declaration of Independence: "All men are created equal" - revolutionary idea that challenged monarchies
- Natural rights: Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness - government should protect these, not take them away
- "No taxation without representation": People should have a say in their government
- Why revolutionary: Most countries had kings who ruled by force. America said governments should serve the people - this inspired people worldwide!
For Question 2 (Struggle for Inclusion):
- Women: Abigail Adams "Remember the Ladies" - ignored at the time; would later demand suffrage (voting rights)
- Enslaved and Free Black Americans: Crispus Attucks died for freedom; many fought in the war; later used Declaration to argue for abolition
- Indigenous Peoples: Many sided with British because colonists were taking their land; fighting for sovereignty
- KEY MESSAGE: These groups fought FOR American ideals while being excluded from them. They didn't reject the ideals - they demanded access to them!
- The contradiction: Fighting for "liberty" while enslaving people - this would drive future struggles for freedom