Materials

• Computer with Internet access
• Copy of Patrick Henry’s speech, available at <http://libertyonline.hypermall.com/henry-liberty.html>

Instructional Activities

1. Briefly review the previous session’s activities.
   
   
2. Review with students the information from previous sessions on the American Revolution. Ask specific questions to check for understanding. For example, ask
   • What were some actions the British government took that angered the colonist?
   • Why did these actions make the colonists angry?
   • What was a main complaint against taxation?
   • What actions did the colonists commit in response to British action? (Include the Boston Tea Party.)
   
   
3. After students have demonstrated an understanding of the major issues and events, Display the following prompts on the board or overhead:
   
   All colonies, except Georgia, sent representatives to the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1774. This Congress issued as its final resolution The Declaration of Resolves. King George III ordered British troops to put down the rebellion.
   
   Discuss with the class the actions of the colonists and of the king. Ask them to examine the issue from both sides. Include in the discussion that the Coercive Acts and Intolerable Acts were reasons for the First Continental Congress. Ask, Were both sides acting responsibly? What other actions could have taken place that would have avoided war? Use current events to examine possible alternatives to war. For example, what possible alternatives to war existed when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, North Korea invaded South Korea, the communists took over Vietnam, Iraq invaded Kuwait, or Suddam Hussein refused to give up power in Iraq in 2003.
   
   
4. Display the following prompts on the board or overhead:
   
   On April 19, 1775, Minutemen and British troops met in Lexington, Massachusetts. Shots were fired, and eight colonists were killed. More fighting broke out as the British moved on to Concord. At least 273 British soldiers were killed or wounded on the march back to Boston.
   
   Briefly review the battles of Lexington and Concord. Mention that the initial shot fired in Lexington is referred to as “the shot heard round the world.” Discuss with the students what this phrase means. Ask, Did this one shot become a catalyst for future events? If so, why?
   
   
5. Explain that not all colonists were in favor of independence from England. Display the following sentences on the overhead, and have students describe each one. NOTE: Provide a brief biography of Patrick Henry (John Locke will be covered in the next session). The following Web sites may be helpful:
   • <http://libertyonline.hypermall.com/henry-liberty.html> (text of the speech)
   • <http://www.history.org/Almanack/people/bios/biohen.cfm>
   
   Patriots wanted complete independence from England. They were inspired by Locke, Paine, and Patrick Henry (“Give me liberty, or give me death”) and served as troops for the American Army led by George Washington.
   
   Loyalist (Tories) remained loyal to Britain and agreed with taxation as a means of Britain providing protection for settlers from Indian attacks, covering the cost of administering the Empire, and defending against a French comeback.
   
   Neutrals attempted to stay as uninvolved as possible.
   
   Conduct a discussion of conflicting points of view. Have students comment on current events where Americans expressed differing points of view. For example, during the 2003 war with Iraq, Americans protested for and against the war.
   
   
6. Assign a teacher-selected reading, worksheet, or other reinforcement activity, using available resources.