American Revolution | Civics and U.S. History for Middle School

In this middle school history lesson, students explore the growing tension between Britain and the American colonies in the decades leading up to the American Revolution. Using four key documents, the Stamp Act Resolves, the Declaratory Act, and the Declaration of Independence, students investigate how different perspectives on taxation and representation fueled a foundational debate about self-governance.

How did British and colonial perspectives on self-governance compare in the decades leading up to the American Revolution? Through guided analysis and color-coded document comparison, students uncover the themes that shaped this revolutionary moment. They’ll practice crafting a thesis supported by evidence, essential skills for completing the unit’s scaffolded Document-Based Question (DBQ) assessment.