CONTEXT 

The ideals of the American Revolution are difficult to sum up succinctly, but throughout United States history individuals and organizations call back to the Revolutionary ideals as support for their position. Sometimes these claims to the Revolution are happening on both sides of opposing arguments! To this day, many people continue to argue that they are still fighting to realize and protect the ideals of the Revolution, showing that the American Revolution continues far beyond the war and the founding of the country.  

AIMS/OBJECTIVES 

Students will be able to:  

• Connect the ideals of the Revolution to other moments in U.S. history 

• Explore how individuals and groups have lay claim to the Revolution and its ideals.  

MATERIALS 

• Who Claims the Revolution ID Cards 

• Masking tape or other material to divide a space  

PROCEDURES 

• Before class, using the masking tape on the floor, divide an open section of the classroom into two sides, and print and cut apart the Who Claims the Revolution ID cards.  

• First, have all the students stand on one side of the line and tell them that this side represents the answer “Yes” to the question “Was or is this person or organization continuing the ideals of the American Revolution?” Once they understand the two sides, divide the students into pairs or small groups.  

• Next, give each pair or group one of the id cards and give them a moment to decide whether they believe the person or group on their card is or was continuing the ideals of the Revolution. Then, either one by one or all at once, have students move to the “Yes” or “No” side of the line to show their answer to the question. Have the students defend their views.  

• Then, have the students conduct research on their person using the following question as a guide: How did this person or organization claim the American Revolution for their cause or beliefs?  

• Finally, ask students to review their original answer and see if they now agree or disagree with the question “Was or is this person or organization continuing the ideal of the American Revolution?” Have the students defend their current positions with information they found in their research. 

WORKSHEET

• Why the Revolution PDF

This activity is excerpted from Unit 7 of the Through Their Eyes: Major Causes and Events of the American Revolution Teacher Resource Guide. To see the full lesson and all supporting materials, visit www.amrevmuseum.org/teacher-resource-guides