The American Revolution was a clash between American and British ideals. The American Colonists' views on government and economics were influenced by several important ideas that they brought with them from Great Britain. These ideas were; the idea that a government can only function with the consent of the governed, and that this government should be representative and limited in its functions. American Colonists felt that there was a natural law that says that people have certain natural rights such as life liberty and property. Those rights came from God or nature and no government has the right to take away or violate those rights. In 1776, many American Colonists believed that current British Policies in the American Colonies were violating these basic laws of nature.
You will investigate the events leading up to and during the Revolutionary War. You will tell the story of the American Revolution by creating a newspaper containing five different types of articles. The newspaper will demonstrate your understanding of the American Revolution in Georgia.
Each newspaper must have the following criteria:
1: Name of Newspaper
> Students name
> Dateline, listing where and when the action took place.
2: Front Page Article
> Outline and discuss how colonial injustices may result in a rebellion. Remember the ideas that the colonists brought with them regarding consent of the govered and natural law. They strongly believe that a government is only legitimate if that government is meeting the needs of the people. If the people are not satisfied than they have the right to rebel and overthrow that government.
Events leading to War
Causes of the American Revolution
The American Revolution in Georgia
The Liberty Boys
Radical Georgia Unites
The Boston Tea Party; Tea Act 1773
Georgia Moves Towards Independence
On to Independence
Declaration of Independence
3: Advice Column
> Choose an event from the American Revolution timeline in your text book and write for advice on how to deal with the feelings of patriotism this event has created for you as a young person in Georgia.Keep in mind the fact that Georgia is the most recently founded of the thirteen colonies and many of its citizens still have strong emotional ties to Great Britain.
4: Obituary
Choose two of the following people and write an obituary that includes facts about this person that made them memorable or important. Where were they from? Why are they remembered? What did they do that was so important?
Elijah Clarke
Button Gwinnett
Lyman Hall
George Walton
Nancy Hart
Austin Dabney
5: Letter to the Editor
> Write a letter to the editor of the newspaper in 1776 in which you support or oppose the American struggle for independence. Use at least three reasons to support your viewpoint. Use your knowledge of the causes of the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence in your letter.
The Declaration of Independence
Causes of the Revolution
6: Editorial
> In your opinion, was the American Revolution a revolution? In the editorial, define "revolution" and use that definition to evaluate the results of the American Revolution. Use three arguments to support your point of view. In the editorial, be sure to use your knowledge of the American Revolution, the war itself, and its effect on different groups of people. You can use the following groups to find information:
National Leaders
The Loyalists
Women
American Traders
Slaves
7: Creativity
> You must be creative. You should have a name for your Newspaper, a date, and graphics for your paper. Newspapers usually include advertisements, weather forecasts, help wanted ads, and political cartoons. The following web sites contain illustrations that may be useful for your project!
The Boston Massacre
The American Revolution in Georgia
Button Gwinnett
Lyman Hall
George Walton
In groups of two or three, you will research various web sites and textbook information that have been provided. Your task, as a group, is to create a Revolutionary Newspaper. This newspaper must be word processed and printed on legal size paper. You will be given various web sites that will contain much of the information you will need. You will have one to two days a week to work on this assignment during the time in which we study this unit.
American Revolution
History Central
The Library of Congress
The Amazing Picture Machine
Barry's Clip Art Server
Kids Domain Clip Art
Chronology of Events
This project is designed to introduce you to key events and people in our nations road to independence. While you are learning the saga of the American Revolution you will also develop an understanding of the different styles of writing that make up a newspaper. This project will be evaluated for content, the ability to work well in a group, and an understanding of the rules of journalism.
Sources cited:
Jackson, E., et al. Georgia Studies Book: Our State and the Nation.,Carl Vincent Institute 1999
Contact: