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Lesson

Richard Henry Lee (1732-1794)

Duration
45 min
Published
Nov 5, 2020
Profile portrait of a man with white hair and a formal coat against a dark background.
What were Richard Henry Lee's views on the slave trade? What was his role as a leader of the American opposition to British tyranny, and why did he oppose the Constitution?

Founding Principles

Federalism, Representative / Republican Government

Learning objectives

Students will:

  • understand Lee’s views on the slave trade and slavery
  • appreciate Lee’s role as a leader of the American opposition to British tyranny
  • explain the importance of virtue in Lee’s political theory
  • analyze the reasons for Lee’s opposition to the Constitution

Materials

Student Handouts

Additional Teacher Resource

Lesson Components

ActivityHandout A: Richard Henry Lee (1732-1794)
ActivityHandout B: Vocabulary and Context Questions – Richard Henry Lee (1732-1794)
ActivityHandout C: In His Own Words: Richard Henry Lee on the Constitution
ActivityThematic Essays – Richard Henry Lee (1732-1794)

Lesson plan

45 minClick a phase to open it

Standards

Advanced Placement

  • CCE

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Related materials

Portrait of a man in profile, featuring white hair and a blue garment against a red background.
FounderRichard Henry Lee

A planter and slaveholder, he was tall, handsome, and genteel in his manners. Raised in a conservative environment, Lee was nonetheless radical in his social and political views.