Unit
Chapter 3: The American Revolution 1763-1789
Guiding question
Invite students to identify the causes of the Declaration of Independence, evaluate the causes and effects of key events in the Revolutionary War, and compare various perspectives on constitutional principles and the structure of the new Union under the Constitution.
Chapter 3 of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, BRI’s U.S. History Curriculum Resource, invites students to identify the causes of the Declaration of Independence, evaluate the causes and effects of key events in the Revolutionary War, and compare various perspectives on constitutional principles and the structure of the new Union under the Constitution. Discover our suggested sequence for Chapter 3.
Teacher resource
Chapter 3: American Revolution 1763-1789 Inquiry Organizer
What is the “American Experiment”?
Lessons
Use this lesson as the foundation for the Stamp Act Resistance Narrative, The Boston Massacre Narrative, and The Boston Tea Party Narrative.
Use this lesson with the Mercy Otis Warren Narrative and the Judith Sargent Murray Primary Source "On the Equality of the Sexes" to allow students to discuss gender roles and expectations in the founding period.
Use this lesson after students have read the Stamp Act Resistance Narrative, The Boston Massacre Narrative, and The Boston Tea Party Narrative. This lesson should be followed by the Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence Narrative and the Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776 Primary Source analysis.
Use this lesson with The Constitutional Convention Narrative and after students have done The Articles of Confederation, 1781 Primary Source activity.
Use this lesson after reading The Constitutional Convention Narrative and/or the Constitutional Convention Lesson.
Use this lesson with The Ratification Debate on the Constitution Narrative and the Were the Anti-Federalists Unduly Suspicious or Insightful Political Thinkers? Point-Counterpoint to have students analyze the debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
Use this lesson following direct instruction in the constitutional principles that the British colonies derived from their experience and their legal and constitutional history. This instruction should include, but not necessarily be limited to, natural rights, rule of law, popular sovereignty, republicanism, separation of powers, and checks and balances.
Use this Lesson following The Ratification Debate on the Constitution Narrative.
A concluding lesson for Unit 2 (1763-1800).
Unit resources
Did the Framers of the Constitution draft protections for slavery in the document? Or did they provide mechanisms specifically to put the institution on the path of extinction? Gordon Lloyd and Stuart Leibiger debate this question.
The Anti-Federalists created significant challenges on the path of ratifying the Constitution. Were their concerns with the document unreasonable, or did they correctly foresee future problems that would arise in the new government? Gordon Lloyd and Adam Tate debate this question.
Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.
Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.
Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.
Use this primary source imagery to analyze major events in history.
Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.
Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.
Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.
Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.
Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.