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Mission 1: For Crown or Colony? About Mission US Teacher Materials and Classroom Guide Alignment to Utah Core Submit Feedback
American Colonial History
African Americans in the Revolutionary WarThis National Park Service site recounts, in more general terms, the experience of African Americans who fought in the Revolutionary War.
Background on Revere’s Boston Massacre Engraving Interesting background on the engraving and on the impact that it had on revolutionary sentiment in the northern colonies.
Boston Massacre Historical Society You can find pictures, documents, a timeline and location, and trial information about the Boston Massacre.
Colonial Homes and Buildings Colonial Williamsburg shows us what architecture and interior design looked like during the Colonial period.
Colonial Occupations
The Economy of the Colonial Period
Education in the Colonial Era A view of education, primarily in the Northern Colonies and Southern Colonies, including images of some primary sources.
Illustrated Colonial Trades Description, with photographs of re-enactors, that describe various common trades of the Colonial era.
Life during the Colonial Period Detailed background information on all aspects of culture and society during the colonial period for each of the three major regions.
Life in Colonial Williamsburg An excellent source that includes background and images, showing life in Colonial period.
Loyalist Songs of the Revolution A collection of song lyrics that the loyalists were singing at the time of the revolution. Popular music makes it clear to see what this group of people were thinking at the time.
Philosophical Beginnings of the American Revolution This BBC site looks at the political thought that originated in England and led directly to the American Revolution.
Smithsonian's History ExplorerYour gateway to innovative, standards-based online resources for teaching and learning American history.
Society, Schools, and Culture Background information, primarily for the teacher, about society during the colonial era.
UEN Themepark: American Revolution Places To Go • People To See • Things To Do • and Teacher Resources for the topic "American Revolution".
UEN Themepark: Colonial History
Women during the American Revolution Light information about many individual women who were involved in the Revolution.
Documents from the Massachusetts Historical SocietyCollections of primary source documents addressing topics from the time period before the Revolutionary War. Documents include newspaper articles, journal entries, letters, and handbills.
An Account of the Boston MassacreAn anonymous account of the Boston Massacre, that tends to be pro-revolutionary.
The Boston Non-Importation Decree Text of the Boston decree that sought to replace the reliance on British goods with a home-spun economy.
Captain Preston’s Account of the Boston MassacreA description of the events surrounding the Boston Massacre from the British officer.
The Charleston Non-Importation Decree Text of the Charleston decree encouraging the use of homemade goods rather than British imports.
Common Sense, by Thomas Paine The text of the influential book that encouraged a break with British rule.
The Death of Seider Article from the Boston Gazette discussing the death of Seider that sparks violence in Boston.
Declaration of the Second Continental Congress Official declaration calling for armed defense of liberty.
Discourses Concerning Government, 1698, by Sidney A document that looked forward to the reformation of government and the establishment of a democratic society.
Interpreting Primary Sources from Both Loyalist and Patriot Viewpoints Presented with a variety of quotes from both viewpoints, students are encouraged to interpret and evaluate them.
Library of Congress: Colonial and Early America Learn about colonization and the colonial experience by examining maps, letters and other primary documents.
The Maryland Gazette – 1765 – 1775 Sixteen editions from this time period, presented as pdf documents, that report the loyalist view of the events of the revolutionary period.
The Massachusetts Body of Liberties, 1641 One of the early documents that influenced revolutionary thought later in the Colonial period.
Plain Truth – A Response to Common Sense Under the Pseudonym of Candidus, loyalists give the reasons for remaining loyal to the British crown.
Religion and the Revolutionary War A collection of primary source documents that show how religious conflict was a factor in the decision for independence and war.
Report of the Committee of Correspondence, 1772 The report to the city of Boston on activities in the Colonies leading up to conflict with Great Britain.
Second Treatise of Civil Government, by Locke The 1690 book that all of the founding fathers were well acquainted with.
The Social Contract, 1762, by Rousseau One of the important sources for discussion of natural law and the rights of man.
The Sons of Liberty Organize in New York The 1773 document that brings the revolutionary group to New York.
Summary of the Rights of British American Thomas Jefferson’s pamphlet from 1774 encouraging a reevaluation of the relationship with Great Britain.
The Townshend Acts Text of the Townshend Acts, describing the specific duties to be charged, and how those monies were to be spent.
William Pitt's Speech in Support of the Colonies The text of William Pitt’s speech in the House of Commons supporting the colonial resistance to the Stamp Act.
The African and the Pequot in Colonial America Maxine Richardson has put together a detailed unit plan, with great resources, that explores the intricacies of both Africans and Pequot societies in Colonial America.
Clues to Colonial Life A webquest that allows students to examine artifacts and draw conclusions about life during the colonial era.
Colonial Broadsides and the American RevolutionStudents become familiar with broadsides from the American Revolution. Broadsides were notices written on single sheets of paper intended to have an immediate impact on readers.
Exploring Propaganda in the American Revolution A webquest that looks at Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry and explores the power and use of propaganda during the Revolutionary period.
Revolutionary WarAfter researching the time period around the Revolutionary War, students should understand the how's and why's behind the Revolution.
Taxation without RepresentationStudents will learn about the Boston Tea Party, how taxes impact people's lives and where tax money goes.
The Massacre Game
Colonial GardenerWater and weed the flowers so they can grow. The more flowers you can keep alive, the more your points will also thrive.
Colonial Word SearchSee if you can solve our colonial word searches, available in three levels: Apprentice (easy), Journeyman (medium), and Master (difficult).
Dress the PartDress a colonial person from head to toe.
(Also check out the Anatomy of a Gown, Anatomy of a Suit and Shoes and Accessories.)
Go Back in TimeTravel back in time to visit five of the families who lived at 16 Elm Street in Ipswich, Massachusetts over the past 200 years.
Heads up for the Colonists
Liberty's Kids Fun & GamesInteractive games and activities on the Liberty's Kids website offer kids fun opportunities through which they discover information about the founding of the United States.
Midnight Messenger
Name that Founding Father
Pardon or Pillory
The Patriot Spy
Powder MonkeyFind the different parts of the U.S.S. Constitution and help deliver gun powder to the cannon during a battle.
The Revolutionary Fireworks FrenzySet off fireworks of different sizes and colors. The higher the score the happier the crowd.
Road to RevolutionTest your knowledge about the American Revolution, and see if you can navigate your way to independence.
| Utah educators and students can download the following videos from UEN’s eMedia | Copyright and Fair Use Information |
A Day in the Life
"A Day in the Life" presents eight stories of Williamsburg residents on one day in late May of 1774. While these programs were designed for classroom use, anyone interested in discovering what life was like in the eighteenth century. (~18min)
Africans in America - Part 02-Revolution
The second part of the PBS series covers the years 1750 – 1805 and focuses on the varied experiences of Black individuals, both slave and free, in the years preceding and during the Revolutionary War. Grades 9-12+ (1hr 26min 48sec) PBS Africans in America website.
American History for Kids: The Revolutionary War - Segment 01
A description of pre-revolutionary colonial times. (5min 20sec)
Field Trips to Yesterday. Colonial Times
Learn how the people in the American colonies lived, including what they ate, what they did for fun, and what it was like to be a child in Colonial times. (20min 51sec)
Field Trips to Yesterday. Historic Philadelphia
Viewers will get an entertaining and accurate glimpse of the events leading to revolution that occurred in Philadelphia. (19min 05sec)
Field Trips to Yesterday. The Road to Revolution
Viewers will learn the significance of the Stamp Act, the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Bunker Hill, and other events that all led up to the Revolutionary War. (24min 39sec)
Freedom: A History of US
"Freedom" is the overarching theme of this sixteen-part series. This is a history of the United States as the unfolding, inspiring story of human liberties aspired to and won. (~26min)
Liberty! The American Revolution
A six-part PBS documentary about the birth of the American Republic and the struggle of a loosely connected group of states to become a nation. Grades 7-12 (~55min) PBS LIBERTY! The American Revolution web site
Liberty's Kids - 44 Episodes
This animated series teaches young people about the major events that occurred during the Revolutionary War days. Grades 3-9 (~ 28min) Liberty’s Kids web site
The Road to Revolution 1763-1774
Examines the events that lead up to the Revolutionary War. (15min 17sec)