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Characteristics of the Patriots of the American Revolution
Melba Moon
American Revolution: Issues that forged a Nation
This lesson focuses on the social, political and economic interests that influenced the citizens of Great Britain's North American colonies to become Patriots rather than remaining loyal to the King. Students will gain knowledge of the issues which led to colonists choosing sides against the Crown.
Students will understand how those issues influenced personal decisions to become Patriots and join the struggle for liberty and an independent nation. Selected biographies of Patriots will be provided to illustrate the characteristics of education, occupation, social standing, and family afiliation in determining what influenced their choices to become Patriots.
Internet
Patriots and suggested websites for biographical research:
(Note: If you cannot connect with these sites by clicking on them, type in address of site.)
George Washington: http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/gw1.html
Nathanael Greene: http://members.aol.com/JonMaltbie/Biography/html
Thomas Paine: http://www.ushistory.org/paine
Benjamin Franklin: http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/info
James Armistead: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0886828.html (photograph available at http://manunited42.tripod.com/)
Edward Hector: http://ush.org/brandywine/special/art04.htm
Deborah Samson: http://userpages.aug.com.captbarb/femvets.html
Elijah Clarke: http://georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-668
Samuel Elbert: http://georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=672
Thomas Jefferson: http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/president/tj3.html
Francis Marion: http://www.sciway.net/hist/famous/fmarion.html
Noble Wimberly Jones: http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-679
Samuel Adams: http://lucidcafe.com/library/95sep.html
Paul Revere: http://www.paulreverehouse.org/bio/bio/shtml
Nancy Hart: http://www.gawomen.org/honorees/long/hartn_long.htm
Worksheet for social, political and economic interests of Patriots.
Pictures of Patriots and Loyalists (3 or 4 for each) Note: See Bell Assignment for sources.
Website for quotes:
50 minutes
2
What social, political and economic characteristics in the lives of colonists led them to become Patriots?
Teacher preparation:
Make a board or poster with pictures numbered from 1-4. The pictures should be of colonists, two Patriots and two Loyalists. A list of Patriots and websites where their biographies can be found are provided in the Materials section of this plan, textbooks, magazines, and other Internet sites. A list of Loyalists and Internet sites are included in the Materials section of the lesson plan, "Characteristics of Loyalists".
The teacher should write the terms, "Patriot" and "Loyalist" on the board.
Activity:
Have students guess which individual falls into each category. Encourage students to analyze images by observing their dress, appearance and any other clues to their identities that might be included in the picture. After the discussion, the teacher will poll students to determine the class consensus as to which colonists are either Patriots or Loyalists. Have students share any information that they already know about each individual.
Teacher preparation:
Provide photographs of those Patriots who are quoted. (See Materials section of lesson plan for websites to locate photographs.)
Write the following quotes on the board. (Do not include the name of the Patriot who is quoted.)
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"The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves." George Washington
"As our enemies have found we can reason like men, so now let us show them we can fight like men." Thomas Jefferson
"My mind became agitated with the enquiry-why a nation...separated from us by an ocean...{should} on us plan os subjugation." Deborah Samson (Sketch, not actual picture, is available on website listed in Materials.)
"If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen." Samuel Adams
Activity:
Show students photographs of the four Patriots. Then have them match the quote with the Patriot.
Have students identify the author of each quote and share any information that they know regarding each. Discuss the quotes and how they reflected the sentiments of those who chose to become Patriots and sever ties to the Crown.
Explain to students that they will now read biographies of selected Patriots. They are to record social, political, and economic interests that might have influenced colonists to become Patriots.
Step 1 Assign students to groups or have them work alone as class dynamics dictate. Assign one Patriot for each group/person. Provide desired websites for students to use to research. A list of Patriots and suggested websites are included in the Materials section of this lesson plan.
Step 2 Give out worksheets for gathering characteristics. (See Linked Files.)
Step 3 Students are to read their biographies and list their Patriot's traits on the worksheet.
Step 4 On the board or overhead, make a master grid of these character traits. (Teachers may use this lesson independently or as a comparative study with the lesson "Characteristics of Loyalists during the American Revolution".)
Step 5 After discussing traits of Patriots with other groups, students will summarize their research on similar traits. (If teachers plan to teach the lesson, "Characteristics of Loyalists during the American Revolution", they should save these worksheets.)
Either individually or in the previously assigned groups, students should create a brief description of no more than four sentences describing their Patriot's life before the Revolution, without giving the person's name. Then, students will share their descriptions and other students will guess the Patriot being described. [If they are familiar with another character of the period and want to use them to try and stump the class, that will add interest.]
Short biographies can be found on the Internet. If it is not an infringement of copyright laws, these articles may be printed out. Or, teacher may choose to have students use the Internet for research. Add interest to the lesson by choosing short excerpts from writings of the period to show what the issues were that led colonists to become Patriots.
The list of Patriots is a suggested list and can be adjusted according to teacher's personal preference and availability of biographies and pictures.
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