The Road to Revolution

Introduction

"Our properties within our own territories [should not] be taxed or regulated by any power on earth but our own." -- Thomas Jefferson, 1774 Something must have happened during the life of Thomas Jefferson in order for him and other patriots to feel such strong emotion towards England and strive for freedom. During this webquest, you and your classmates will be exploring the causes of the Revolutionary War and how these events created such strong feelings against England in America.

Task

The local men are talking about five specific events. You recall hearing about: the Stamp Act, the Townshend Acts, the Tea Act, the Boston Massacre, and the Intolerable Acts. Your job is to research these events. After researching these events you will decide on a position. Will you fight with the patriots, or will you remain loyal to the King?

Process

Your final project will be a brochure that you can hand out to the other colonists to persuade them to join you in the course of action you choose to take. To keep the events current in your reader's mind, you must include a summary of five important events. Your research areas are as follows:

What was the Stamp Act?

  • What was the Stamp Act? When was it passed?
  • Why were the colonists so angry about this act?
  • Who were the Sons of Liberty? What did they to the tax collectors?
  • When was the act repealed?

http://www.ducksters.com/history/american_revolution/the_stamp_act.php

http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty/chronicle_timeline.html

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/sonsoflibertydef.htm

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/stampactdef.htm

What was the Quartering Act?

  • What was the Quartering Act? When was it passed?
  • How did the Colonists react to this new law?
  • How did the British government respond to the Colonists?

http://www.landofthebrave.info/quartering-act.htm

http://www.usconstitution.net/quarteringact.html

http://www.historyisfun.org/blog/quartering-act-of-1765/

What were the Townshend Acts?

  • What were the Townhend Acts? When where the acts passed?
  • How did the Colonists react to these new laws?
  • How did the government respond to the Colonists? 
  • When was the Townshend Acts repealed?

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/townshendactsdef.htm

http://revolution.mrdonn.org/townshendacts.html

http://www.landofthebrave.info/townshend-acts.htm

http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/townshend-acts

What was the Boston Massacre?

  • When and where did it happened?
  • What caused this conflict?
  • Who was the first black person to die during this event?

  • How do you think the Quartering and Townshend Act influenced this event?

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part2/2p24.html

http://www.landofthebrave.info/boston-massacre.htm

http://www.ducksters.com/history/american_revolution/boston_massacre.php

What was the Boston Tea Party?

  • Describe the events of the Boston Tea Party. (When did it happen? What happened?)
  • What events lead to the  "Party"?  
  • Why did the colonists choose that particular ship and cargo?

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/teaactdef.htm

http://www.ducksters.com/history/boston_tea_party.php

Upon researching these events, you will decide on a position to take. Will you fight against the British? Or will you remain loyal to the British, and urge others toward a peaceful resolution?

IF you decide to fight against the British: In your brochure, you will summarize the 5 important events, one paragraph per event. You will then write a persuasive paragraph urging people to join up with you and fight, citing your reasons why.

IF you decide to remain loyal to the King: In your brochure, you will summarize the 5 important events, one paragraph per event. You will then think of a peaceful resolution to urge the colonists to follow. You will write a persuasive paragraph describing your plan and why it will work, urging others to join you. Research Well and Good Luck!

Evaluation

You will be evaluated according to a rubric.

The rubric criteria will include:

1) Brochure Appearance

2) Stamp Act paragraph

3) Quartering Act

4) Townshend Act paragraph

5) Boston Massacre paragraph

6) Tea Act/Tax paragraph

7) Persuasive argument paragraph

8) Spelling and Grammar Mechanics

Rubric Below: 

CATEGORY

4

3

2

1

Appearance

The entire project is neat, easy to read. All text and visuals are clear.

Most of the project is neat, easy to read. Most text and visuals are clear.

Some of the project is neat, there are areas that are difficult to read or make out.

Most of the project is disorderly. Text and/or visuals are difficult to read or make out.

Organization

Extremely well organized; logical format is easy to follow; flowed smoothly; the organization enhanced the effectiveness of the project

Presented in a thoughtful manner; there were signs of organization and most information is  easy to follow

Somewhat organized; ideas  not presented coherently; organization detracts from the content

Choppy and confusing; format was difficult to follow

Creativity

The project shows an exceptional degree of student creativity in the creation and/or display. The thought and consideration put into the project is apparent. Originality is used in a way that enhances the product.

The project reflects student creativity in the creation and/or display. Some thought and consideration is shown.

There is little creativity shown in the project. Some effort toward creativity can be seen.

There is very little or no creativity. Minimal effort in the project and/or toward creativity can be seen.

Research

x2

Went above and beyond to research information; solicited material in addition to what was provided; brought in personal ideas and information to enhance project; and utilized variety of resources to make project effective

Did a very good job of researching; utilized materials provided to their full potential; solicited adequate resources to enhance project.  Some personal ideas or information is presented.

Used the material provided in an acceptable manner, but did not consult any additional resources. Personal ideas or information is vague or missing.

Did not utilize resources effectively; did little or no fact gathering on the topic. No personal ideas or information is included.

Visuals

All visuals are related to the topic and make it easier to understand.

All visuals are related to the topic and most make it easier to understand.

All visuals relate to the topic or there are too few visuals to enhance the project.

Visuals do not relate to the topic or no visuals are included.

Content/ Accuracy

x2

7 or more facts are displayed and all facts are precise and explicit.

5-6 facts are displayed and/or facts are mostly accurate; a few inconsistencies or errors in information

3-4 facts are displayed, and/or facts are somewhat accurate; more than a few inconsistencies or errors in information

Less than 3 facts are displayed and/or facts are completely inaccurate; the facts in this project were misleading to the audience

Conclusion

You have done it! You now hold an educated view of the causes of the Revolutionary War! Your brochure is being printed and will be ready for handing out soon!