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American Revolution (1763-1783) Middle School Teacher Unit Overview

Unit 2 of Building a Self-Governing People BRI’s Civics and U.S. History Curriculum for Middle School, invites students to examine the growing tensions between colonists and the British Crown, consider the decisions that led to the American Revolution, and evaluate the Declaration of Independence as a response to these challenges. The unit emphasizes how British and colonial perspectives on taxation, representation, and self-governance compared in the decades leading up to the American Revolution.

Published
Nov 3, 2025
Unit 2: American Revolution (1763-1783)
Examine the growing tensions between colonists and the British Crown and the decisions that led to the American Revolution. Evaluate the Declaration of Independence as a response to these challenges.
Assessment Focus:

Thesis and Grouping Sources

DBQ/ Essential Question:

How did British and colonial perspectives on taxation, representation, and self-governance compare in the decades leading up to the American Revolution?

Primary Sources:

  • Document A: Declaratory Act (1766)
  • Document B: The Patriot – Samuel Johnson (1774)
  • Document C: Common Sense – Thomas Paine (1776)
  • Document D: Declaration of Independence (1776)
DBQ Resources:

Topic 1 Topic 2 Topic 3 Topic 4
Growing Tensions Independence Revolution Creating a New Nation
Guiding Question:

What were the main causes of tension between Great Britain and the colonies?

Guiding Question:

How did the Declaration of Independence articulate the principles of natural rights and self-government?

Guiding Question:

What were the key events and turning points of the American Revolution?

Guiding Questions:

What challenges did the new nation face after gaining independence?

How did the Articles of Confederation address these challenges?

Resources:

Resources:

Resources:

Resources:

 

Principle(s)

  • Natural Rights
Virtue(s)

  • Justice, Liberty
 

 

Standards