SSUSH 3 and 4

Unit 3: Revolution & Constitution

SSUSH3-5

This unit examines the causes, progress, and results of the American Revolution. This unit will focus on early American documents such as the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. You will study the roles of women, American Indians, and free and enslaved Blacks in the Revolution and learn about how important leaders in colonial government worked to form and strengthen the new nation.

SSUSH3

Analyze the causes of the American Revolution.

French and Indian War

Causes of the French and Indian War

• Rivalry between Great Britain and France for North American territory.

• Great Britain challenging France for control in 1754.

Outcomes of the French and Indian War

• Treaty of Paris (1763)

  • France ceded Canada to Great Britain and gave up land east of the Mississippi, except New Orleans.

Impact on American Colonies

• Left Britain with a debt and having to deal with native Indians in previously French territory. To pay the debt, Britain ended Salutary Neglect and began to impose taxes.

• Colonists objected to loss of control over affairs. Tensions grew over taxation.

• Proclamation of 1763 limited westward settlement beyond Appalachians. This angered many colonists and intensified thoughts of American revolution.

Multiple Choice

What was one outcome of the French and Indian War?

• France gained control of the Thirteen Colonies

• Britain established dominance in North America

• Spain became the primary power in the New World
  

• Native American tribes unified against European powers

Multiple Choice

How did the French and Indian War impact the American Colonies?

• Colonists experienced an economic boom.

• Britain granted colonies full independence.

• Colonists were prohibited from trading with France.

• Tensions increased over issues like taxation and settlement of territory.

Colonial Resistance

Causes of Colonial Rebellion in America:

• Rights Violation: Colonists opposed to unjust taxation without representation, lack of trial by peers, unwarranted searches, and quartering of troops.

• Parliamentary Actions: Enacted Stamp Act, required special paper stamps for newspapers and legal docs. Intolerable Acts punished Boston Tea Party by imposing unjust laws.

• Colonial Response: Sons of Liberty formed to resist Stamp Act. The Intolerable Acts further fueled rebellion.

• Proclamation of 1763: Banned colonists from settling beyond Appalachians. It aimed to limit conflicts with Indians and raise revenue.

Multiple Select

What rights violation did the colonists oppose that led to rebellions in America?

• Forced labor as a punishment.

• Lack of jury trial by peers.

• Unwarranted searches.

• Mandatory military service.

Multiple Choice

Which event prompted the enactment of the Intolerable Acts?

• Boston Tea Party

• Boston Massacre

• Lexington and Concord

• Declaration of Independence

Committees of Correspondence & Sons/Daughters of Liberty

• Committees of Correspondence: Formed in response to the Stamp Act, aimed to maintain colonies' communication and address British actions.

• Sons of Liberty: Secret group in Massachusetts, opposed British authority, targeted British property and wealthy supporters. Founded by Samuel Adams.

• Daughters of Liberty: Joined protests against British rule, made homespun fabric to reduce reliance on British imports.

Multiple Choice

What was the main purpose of the Committees of Correspondence formed in response to the Stamp Act?

• To create a new form of currency

• To establish British authority in the colonies

• To increase taxation on the colonists

• To maintain communication among the colonies

Multiple Choice

The Daughters of Liberty primarily joined protests against:

• Local farmers

• British rule

• Native American tribes

• French settlers

Common Sense

• Published by Thomas Paine in January 1776.

• Persuaded colonists to support independence.

• Some Key Arguments:

  1. Atlantic Ocean too wide for effective British rule.

  2. Absurd for island to rule a continent.

  3. British actions disproved notion of being America's "mother country".

Multiple Choice

What was the publication by Thomas Paine in January 1776 that persuaded colonists to support independence?

• Common Sense

• The Federalist Papers
  

• The Declaration of Independence

• The Articles of Confederation

Multiple Select

How did British actions disprove the notion of them being America's "mother country," according to Thomas Paine? Select all that apply.

• By imposing unfair taxes on essential goods.

• Through their enforcement of strict trade regulations.

• By ignoring the needs and interests of the American colonies

• Through their attempts to establish a monarchy in America.

Open Ended

What problems did the French and Indian War leave behind for Britain? How did it try to solve them?

SSUSH4

Analyze the ideological, military, social, and diplomatic aspects of the American Revolution.

The Committee of Five

• Five delegates (Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, Livingston, Sherman) selected by Continental Congress to draft independence rationale.

• Draft of Declaration of Independence presented to Congress for review.

• Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration draft.

Multiple Choice

Which delegate was NOT part of the drafting group for the Declaration of Independence?

• Jefferson

• Sherman

• Livingston

• Hamilton

Multiple Choice

Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence draft?

• Jefferson

• Adams

• Franklin

• Livingston

Declaration of Independence

• Written by Thomas Jefferson with input from John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and others

• Made language simple and direct for global understanding

• Outlined reasons for seeking independence from Britain

• Detailed violations of rights by King George III

• Described Americans' unsuccessful attempts for relief

• Concluded that independence is necessary to restore their rights.

Multiple Choice

Why was the language of the Declaration made simple and direct?

• To confuse the British government

• To ensure global understanding
  

• To exclude certain groups of people

• To shorten the document

Multiple Choice

The Declaration concluded that independence was necessary to:

• Form a stronger alliance with France

• Establish an authoritarian government

• Gain more land for the colonies

• Restore the rights of the American people

George Washington and the Continental Army

• George Washington became commander in chief of the Continental Army at the start of the American Revolution.

• Washington's leadership skills were exceptional as he reorganized the army, obtained more supplies, and implemented a training program.

• Baron von Steuben, a Prussian officer, played a crucial role in training the army and introducing military drills.

• Common soldiers in the Continental Army faced challenges with enlistments, varying state treatment, provisions, and morale issues.

• Despite harsh conditions at Valley Forge in 1777-1778, Washington's leadership helped the army endure and prepare for the British in 1778.

Multiple Choice

Which individual played a crucial role in training the Continental Army during the American Revolution?

• Marie Antoinette

• Baron von Steuben
  

• Napoleon Bonaparte

• Catherine the Great

Multiple Choice

Where did the Continental Army endure harsh conditions in 1777-1778 during the American Revolution?

• Bunker Hill

• Saratoga

• Valley Forge

• Trenton

French Alliance

• American victory at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777 led France to support the Americans.

• Benjamin Franklin, American diplomat in Paris, signed economic and military treaties with France.

• France sent army and navy units to fight alongside the Americans.

• Marquis de Lafayette, a French military specialist, trained American forces.

• Lafayette collaborated closely with George Washington during key battles.

• French navy's support, especially at the Battle of Yorktown, was crucial in the British surrender.

Multiple Choice

What event at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777 led France to support the Americans?

• American surrender

• British victory

• American victory
  

• French independence

Multiple Choice

Who collaborated closely with George Washington during key battles of the American Revolution?

• Thomas Paine
  

• John Dickinson

• Patrick Henry

• Marquis de Lafayette

Location of Important Battles During the American Revolutionary War

​New York

​New Jersey

​Pennsylvania

​Virginia

Multiple Choice

Where was the Battle of Yorktown located?

• Virginia

• Maryland

• Delaware

• North Carolina

Battle of Yorktown

​

• French navy's crucial assistance blockade the British from escaping.

• American forces defeated British in three weeks.

• General Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington at Yorktown on October 17, 1781.

• Victory at Yorktown marked the end of the American Revolution.

Multiple Choice

What crucial assistance did the French navy provide in preventing the British from escaping?

• Blockade

• Air support

• Ground troops

• Spy network

Multiple Choice

How long did it take American forces to defeat the British?

• Three years

• Three months

• Three weeks

• Three days

African-American Freedmen in the Revolutionary War

• Enslaved and free Blacks saw the American Revolution as a chance to expand their rights.

• Their participation in the Revolution was driven by the desire to protect natural rights.

• Approximately 5,000 enslaved and free Blacks fought alongside the Patriots.

• Black individuals who fought in the war did not gain freedom or equal rights post-Revolution.

Multiple Choice

What did enslaved and free Blacks see the American Revolution as?

• An opportunity to expand their rights

• A chance to increase taxes

• A way to avoid the war

• A push for enslavement

Multiple Choice

How many enslaved and free Blacks fought alongside the Patriots during the Revolution?

• Less than 1,000

• Around 2,000

• Approximately 5,000

• Over 10,000

1783 Treaty of Paris

• Formal conclusion of the American Revolutionary War

  1. United States gained independence from Great Britain
  2. United States acquired land extending to the Mississippi River
  3. Britain gave Florida to Spain
  4. Certain African and Caribbean colonies were ceded to France

Multiple Choice

How did the Treaty of Paris of 1783 impact the borders of the United States?

• It established the boundaries of the United States extending to the Mississippi River

• It granted the United States lands in the Caribbean

• It led to Spain gaining control of Florida

• It resulted in France acquiring territories in North America

Multiple Choice

What did the American Revolutionary War formally signify for the United States?

• Expansion to the Pacific Ocean

• Acquisition of Canadian territories

• Becoming a British Dominion

• Independence from Great Britain

Open Ended

What were some actions that established George Washington’s reputation as a leader?

SSUSH5

Investigate specific events and key ideas that brought about the adoption and implementation of the United States Constitution.

Articles of Confederation & Shay's Rebellion

• America's first constitution during the Revolution. Limited national government powers:

  • No executive branch.

  • Congress handled foreign policy.

  • Congress could not tax, impacting currency value.

  • Congress could maintain army but not draft soldiers.

  • No national court system.

• States had more power than national government. The Weakness led to conflicts and vulnerability. But it did pass significant laws:

  • Land Ordinance (1785) for land organization and revenue for public education.

  • Northwest Ordinance (1787) for new territories to become states.

• Shays’ Rebellion (1786) highlighted the need for a stronger government. Congress could not get the funds to raise an army to put the rebellion down.

Multiple Choice

What was a key characteristic of America's first constitution during the Revolution?

• Strong executive branch.

• Congress handled domestic policy.

• Congress could raise a army, but not draft soldiers.

• Congress could levy taxes.

Multiple Choice

Which event in 1786 emphasized the necessity for a stronger government due to the weaknesses of the first constitution?

• Shays’ Rebellion

• Boston Tea Party

• Constitutional Convention

• French and Indian War

Northwest Ordinance

• Northwest Ordinance:

  • U.S. established Northwest Territory.

  • Showed intent for westward expansion.

  • New states were to be equal members of the Union.

• Slavery Ban:

  • Northwest Ordinance prohibits slavery within the territories.

• Education Mandate:

  • Ordinance mad public schools required in Northwest Territory.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements about the Northwest Ordinance is correct?

• It allowed slavery in the newly established territories.

• It restricted westward expansion of the United States.

• It declared that new states formed from the territories would be equal to existing states.

• It required a monarchy system in the Northwest Territory.

Multiple Choice

How did the Northwest Ordinance impact education in the Northwest Territory?

• It abolished the need for schools in the region.

• It made public schools optional in the territory.

• It mandated the establishment of public schools in the territory.

• It focused on higher education institutions only.

Constitutional Convention

• Delegates from all 13 states met in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation but decided to draft a new constitution instead.

• Two main groups emerged: Federalists (e.g., Alexander Hamilton, James Madison) favored a strong national government, while Anti-Federalists aimed to protect state sovereignty.

• The Great Compromise resulted in a system of checks and balances among three branches of government and a bicameral legislative branch.

• Anti-Federalists' concerns about individual and states' rights led to the addition of the Bill of Rights, guaranteeing personal liberties, in 1791.

Multiple Choice

Who were the two main groups that emerged at the American Constitutional Convention?

• Patriots and Loyalists

• Federalists and Anti-Federalists

• Whigs and Tories

• Democrats and Republicans

Multiple Choice

What addition was made in response to Anti-Federalists' concerns at the American Constitutional Convention?

• Declaration of Independence

• Preamble to the Constitution

• Bill of Rights

• Articles of Confederation

The Great Compromise

• Argument over equal representation for different-sized states.

• Large states favored representation based on population while small states supported equal representation for all states.

• Great Compromise approved by delegates.

• Compromise led to creation of two-chambered legislature (Congress).

• House of Representatives based on population.

• Senate with equal representation for all states.

Multiple Choice

What did small states support in terms of representation?

• No representation

• Representation based on population

• Equal representation for all states

• Representation based on geographic size

Multiple Choice

Which chamber of the legislature is based on population?

• House of Representatives
  

• Senate

• Supreme Court

• Cabinet

Open Ended

How were Federalists and Anti-Federalists different?