Causes of the American Revolution
“Drafting the Documents of Independence,” Library of Congress online exhibition: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/declara/declara1.html
Eight documents and prints relating to the Declaration of Independence are presented, including a fragment of the “earliest known draft of the Declaration of Independence”; Thomas Jefferson’s “’original Rough draught’” of the Declaration with later changes made by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and others; a portion of George Washington’s copy of the “’Dunlap Broadside’” of the Declaration, read to his troops in New York on July 9, 1776; and a print showing Washington’s troops reacting to the reading by destroying a statue of King George III. The site also offers a 500-word background essay and a chronology of events from June 7, 1776, to January 18, 1777.
American Revolution Digital Learning Project, New York Historical Society: http://amrevonline.org
The site offers four online exhibitions: “Independence and Its Enemies in New York,” “Revolutionary Dresscode,” “Road to the American Revolution,” and “Women during the American Revolutionary War.” An “Object Browser” offers images of more than 1,900 museum objects in more than 30 categories, including clothing and fashion, tools and equipment, silver, and toys. The “Document Browser” offers more than 1,400 documents that can be browsed in their entirety or through more than 60 pre-selected categories, including broadsides, letters, muster sheets and payrolls, newspapers, petitions, and political cartoons. “Ask the Historian” offers two video lectures and six essays by scholars of the American Revolution and the early republic. Finally, “Educators” includes teacher worksheets on how to guide students through the process of reading various types of primary documents, eight lesson plans, and 10 guides to student activities.
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Exhibition: http://www.benfranklin300.org
The 300th-year anniversary of Benjamin Franklin's birth (1706-2006) marked the national celebration honoring the life and enduring legacy of one of our most remarkable founding fathers. This site was developed in conjunction with the traveling library exhibition “Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World” to investigate the interactive exhibition timeline, collect an array of educational materials, and to learn about Franklin’s material world.
“1777: The Oneidas and the Birth of a Nation” and “The Oriskany Battle of Oneida Hayery and Mohawk Joseph Brant,” online exhibitions at the Shako:wi Cultural Center, Oneida Indian Nation: http://oneidanation.net/1777/index.html and http://oneidanation.net/hanyery/index.html
These two exhibits describe the conflicting roles that the (Mohawk) Iroquois and the Oneidas played in the American Revolution. The Iroquois allied with the British, while the Oneidas sided with the Americans. “Revolutionary War: 1777” explains why the Oneidas sided with the Americans and how they helped to defeat the British, particularly in two battles in 1777. In contrast, “The Oriskany Battle” focuses on two native leaders who led the Iroquois and the Oneidas alongside the British and the Americans into battle against one another.
Spy Letters of the American Revolution, Clements Library, University of Michigan: http://www.si.umich.edu/spies/index-gallery.html
This site exhibits 12 facsimiles and transcriptions of spy letters from the American Revolution. Three inter-linked sections, “People,” “Stories,” and “Methods” provide context for each letter, while biographical essays describe each person and portrait. In addition, the “Stories” section features 350-word descriptions of the significance of each letter. Methods of spying are described in six essays, and a timeline covering 1763 to 1783 provides a background for 19 prints of people and places important in the Revolution, and route maps for 11 of the letters. The site’s bibliography lists 25 books and one digital exhibit about the revolution and espionage, while a “Teachers’ Lounge” provides six assignments, ideas for primary source use, and study questions for students.
Battle Lines: Letters from America’s Wars, Gilder Lehrman Institute and the Legacy Project: http://www.gilderlehrman.org/collection/battlelines/index_good.html
Both the personal and political sides of Americans engaged in warfare come to life through this annotated collection of more than 30 letters from the Revolutionary War to the current war in Iraq. Letters are divided into five sections: “Enlisting,” “Comforts of Home,” “Love,” “Combat,” and “The End of the War,” and are written by well-known military figures, such as Douglas MacArthur and Robert E. Lee, as well as unknown veterans, such as Peter Kiterage, one of the 5,000 African Americans who fought in the Revolutionary War, and Christopher Lake, who served in Iraq in 2003. The website is well-produced, and letters are accessible through audio recordings and a “magic lens” that produces transcriptions on top of images of the digitized letters. Teachers should also visit Gilder Lehrman’s teacher modules for more overviews and primary documents on the American Revolution, Constitution, and new nation
(http://www.gilderlehrman.org/teachers/modules.html).
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation: http://www.history.org
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation operates the world’s largest living history museum in Williamsburg, Virginia—the restored 18th-century capital of one of Britain’s wealthiest and most populous outposts of empire. This website interprets the story of a revolutionary city, describing how diverse peoples, with different and sometimes conflicting ambitions, evolved into a society that valued liberty and equality. Outstanding online essays, interactive programs, and lesson plans.
Mount Vernon: http://www.mountvernon.org
This website introduces the viewer to the home of George and Martha Washington from their marriage in 1759 until his death in 1799. The website describes Mount Vernon, its artifact collection, and archeological recoveries in the area. It also includes biographical information on George and Martha Washington, as well as lesson plans, and links to Washington’s papers.
Monticello: http://www.monticello.org
Through videos and photographs, this website introduces the viewer to Monticello’s house, garden and grounds, and plantation. The site also includes information on African Americans who lived at Monticello, including a profile of Sally Hemings. In addition, it has lesson plans and other useful resources about Jefferson and his property.
Valley Forge, National Park Service Site: http://www.nps.gov/vafo/
Valley Forge National Historical Park offers educational programs at the historic site to enhance your students' academic experiences. Student participation is encouraged through use of the inquiry method and hands-on activities. There are free and fee based programs which can be reserved on weekdays from October through the end of May. This site includes historical background information, educational resources, program descriptions, and lesson plans.
Indian King Tavern Museum: http://www.levins.com/tavern.html
This website explores an 18th-century tavern. Named after the Lenape Indians, the New Jersey Assembly convened here in 1777 to create an independent state. The website allows the viewer to tour the tavern digitally and includes information on the sites archeology as well as festivals that occur in and near the Tavern.
Haddonfield Historical Society and Library: http://www.historicalsocietyofhaddonfield.org/
The Haddonfield Historical Society was created in 1914 to preserve the county’s history. It includes a museum housed in Greenfield Hall which displays needlework, costumes, and furniture from the 18th through the 20th centuries, as well as a library in the adjacent Samuel Mickle House, which includes manuscripts, maps, and deeds.
Bill Ochester, Historic Re-Enactor:
http://www.bfranklinprinter.com/ochester.html
Bill Ochester is a professional historic re-enactor who, in addition to working with several Philadelphia historic sites, is prepared to visit classrooms and deliver one of three interesting programs: 1) Franklin's Life and Times: A fascinating biographical presentation in character and full historically accurate clothing, of Benjamin Franklin's life, values and times; 2) Franklin, Colonial Printer: If desired, Bill will appear in full 18th Century printer's garb, and describe the colonial printing trade, complete with hands-on examples of printer's type and colonial currency. Both of the above programs may be followed by a question and answer session with the class; 3) "NOW AND BEN": A fun-filled visit by Author/Illustrator Gene Barretta, who will speak to the class about the task of writing and illustrating a children's book. During a reading of his new book "Now and Ben", both Gene and the class will be quite surprised by the unexpected arrival of Ben Franklin himself! For further information, go to Gene's web site at www.GeneBarretta.com. Bill is also trained to present programs on military experiences during the American Revolution, as well as the process of historic re-enactment itself.
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