Research

- use a map to explain the impact of geography on historical and current times. -draw conclusions and make generalizations based on information from maps. -use graphic scales to determine distances on a map. -compare maps of the same place at different points in time and from different perspectives to determine changes, identify trends, and generalize about activities.
 * A-Map and Globe skills**

-compare similarities and differences. -organize items chronologically. -identify issuers and/or problems and alternative solutions -draw conclusions and make generalizations -translate dates into centuries, eras, or ages. -determine adequacy and/or relevancy of information

-trace the events that shaped the revolutionary movement in America. -describe the major events of the Revolution and explain the factors leading to American Victory and British defeat
 * F- American Revolution**

SS4H4 The student will explain the causes, events, and results of the American Revolution. a. Trace the events that shaped the revolutionary movement in America, including the French and Indian War, British Imperial Policy that led to the 1765 Stamp Act, the slogan “no taxation without representation,” the activities of the Sons of Liberty, and the Boston Tea Party. b. Explain the writing of the Declaration of Independence; include who wrote it, how it was written, why it was necessary, and how it was a response to tyranny and the abuse of power. c. Describe the major events of the American Revolution and explain the factors leading to American victory and British defeat; include the Battles of Lexington and Concord, Saratoga, and Yorktown. d. Describe key individuals in the American Revolution with emphasis on King George III, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Benedict Arnold, Patrick Henry, and John Adams.
 * GeorgiaStandards.org**

SS4G2 The student will describe how physical systems affect human systems. Explain how each force (American and British) attempted to use the physical geography of each battle site to its benefit (SS4H4c).

SS4CG1 The student will describe the meaning of a. Natural rights as found in the Declaration of Independence (the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness).

SS4CG5 The student will name positive character traits of key historical figures and government leaders (honesty, patriotism, courage, trustworthiness)

What were the events that caused the American Revolution? How did the American Revolution start? What is the Declaration of Independence and why is it important? Who wrote the declaration of Independence? How did America win the war?
 * Big Questions**

__The student will understand that people’s ideas and feelings influence their decisions__. How do the beliefs and ideals of a society lead to conflicts with other societies? Why was the Declaration of Independence written? How are our natural rights described in the Declaration of Independence? Why is the message of the Declaration of Independence important to our country? How does the belief in the Declaration of Independence affect decisions made by our country? How was the Declaration of Independence a response to tyranny and the abuse of power? __The student will understand that what people, groups, and institutions say and do can help or harm others whether they mean to or not__. How did the actions of the Sons of Liberty affect other colonists? How did the actions of the British affect the colonies? Why was George Washington chosen to lead the Continental army against Britain? How did Patrick Henry influence the revolutionary movement in America? Why was Benedict Arnold considered an American traitor? How did Benjamin Franklin’s negotiations with France impact the Revolutionary War? Why was King George III so unpopular with the American colonists? How did resources of the French and the strategic planning of George Washington combine to defeat the British in the Battle of Yorktown? How did British and American forces attempt to use the physical geography of the land to its advantage in the battles of Lexington and Concord, Saratoga and Yorktown? How did the Battle of Lexington and Concord embolden the American revolutionaries? __The student will understand that conflict causes change.__ Why do opinions among groups of people and individuals differ? How did the results of the French and Indian War contribute the revolutionary movement in America? Why did Britain impose direct taxes on the North American colonies after the French and Indian War? How were the colonists' opinions of pre-Revolutionary events alike and different? What are the causes and events that lead to the Revolutionary War? (French and Indian War, British Imperial Policy, activities of Sons of Liberty, Daughters of Liberty, and Boston Tea Party) Why did the colonists believe British taxation policies in North America were unfair? How did the colonists protest British Imperial Policies in North America? How did the Sons of Liberty protest British taxation policies in North America? What is significant about the Battle of Lexington and Concord? Why were the American colonies and Britain unable to resolve their differences without going to war? Why is the Battle of Saratoga called "the turning point" of the American Revolution? Why was the Battle of Yorktown the final battle of the American Revolution?
 * GeorgiaStandards.orgSub-Topics and Essential Questions**

After colonists began to come over and settle in America under British rule. As time went on, The colonist were beginning to feel more independent and felt as though the government that was an ocean away didn't know the way of life in the Americas and didn't have the right to have control over them. When King George III started to feel as though he was losing grip on his new territory in the new world, he began to try to hold on tighter to the colonies and the people living there. The king and parliament tried to establish their power by putting the Sugar, which was an extended tax on sugar and molasses that not only extended the tax but increased it, and then Stamp act into effect, which would control all the colonists purchases on everyday items such as newspaper, playing cards, and legal documents. This continued with the establishing of the the townshed acts that put a tax on more practical items that the colonists needed more often such as tea and glass. While the other taxed of the Towhshed acts were revoked except for the one one Tea. This lead to the rebellion of the colonists with the Boston Tea Party where colonists went onto docked tea ships in the Boston harbor dressed as American Indians and dumped all the tea into the harbor. The onset of war lead to the first battle that was at Lexington and Concord where the British troops under the rule of General Gage emptied their muskets on the minute men while the British traveled to Lexington to capture weapons. After this first battle it was seen important to have a meeting. This was known as the 2nd continental congress and the delegates appointed George Washington as leader of the army. They continued to have meetings and in the midst of the way they met in June of 1776 and 5 people, including Thomas Jefferson, were appointed to draft a proposal of independence. This soon came to be known as the Declaration which was approved and signed on July 4th, 1776. The battle for independence continued long after the paper was in order. The major batter that followed the drafting of the Declaration was the battles of Saratoga where he British general's plan was to take control of the entire New York colony, but was instead forced to surrender giving the colonists the victory. The captured the support and alliance of the French. While small battles filled the gaps, in 1781 George Washington's armies and the French armies had British General Cornwallis surrounded on both land and sea by 8,500 Americans, 10,800 French. Cornwallis surrendered and America won the war. Small mini-battles continued for two years untill the Treaty of Paris was finally signed in 1783. The war was then officially over.
 * The Story**

Stamp Act: the first colonial taxation from the British parliament and the King. It was a tax on legal Documents, newspapers, pamphlets, dice and playing cards. Townshed acts: tax on more practical items that the colonists needed more often such as tea and glass. All taxes were gotten rid of except the Boston Massacre: The King sent over troops to Boston. Colonists felt invaded.The British troops fired into the crowd and killed 5 people. Boston Tea Party: Since there was a tea tax, colonists had been refusing to buy tea. When tea ships were docked in the harbor, they dressed as Native Americans, got on the ships, and dumped all the tea into the Boston Harbor. Intolerant Acts: Real name is the Coercive Acts, but American colonists nicknamed it the intolerant acts because it was British's way of punishing the colonists for the acts of the Boston Tea Party. These acts included the closing of the Boston Harbor and enforcing the right that British troops could stay in any house if barracks were not available
 * Events Shaping the American Revolution**

1st continental congress: meeting of delegates of 12 of the 13 colonies (GA didn't send any) to meet about how to respond to the sudden military rule in Boston. Also, to write a petition to George III about the current military rule.In 1774, the colonies held the First Continental Congress. The representatives gathered to discuss their response to the British "Intolerable Acts." They met to discuss their relationship with Britain, and how to assert their rights with the British government. They wanted to appear as united colonies in their reply to Britain. The purpose of the First Continental Congress was not to seek independence from Britain. First Continental Congress meeting (Source: Library of Congress) The congress had three objectives: to compose a statement of colonial rights, to identify British parliaments violation of those rights, and to provide a plan that would convince Britain to restore those rights. The members agreed to boycott British goods and passed resolutions asserting colonial rights. They also agreed to meet again in May 1775, if the British did not change their policies.
 * Major Events of Revolution**

Battle of Lexington and Concord: "Shot heard round the world" The first battle in the American revolution. General Gage of the British army sent troops to capture colonist weapons. One the way in Lexington, someone fired. The Brits fired off all of the muskets at the minutemen and killed and 8, wounding 10. The war had started. Second continental congress: Met in Philadelphia. This is when George Washington was made the leader of army at Cambridge. They began to recruit men, officers, and gather weapons. Considered the first meeting of a United States Government. Battle of Saratoga: Turning point in the war when the French entered on the side of the colonists. The French supported the American armies due to the fact that America won this battle. The British general's plan was to take control of the entire New York colony, but was instead forced to surrender giving the colonists the victory. Balled of York Town: The battle that won the war for the American armies. George Washington's armies and the French armies had British General Cornwallis surrounded on both land and sea by 8,500 Americans, 10,800 French. Cornwallis surrendered and America won the war Treaty of Paris: the document that ended the American Revolutionary war. It was signed by Ben Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay. Stated that United States of America would be seen as an independent country, removed Britain's troops, allowed loyalists who stayed not to be prosecuted, set new boundaries on the map, and promised all debts to Great Britain to be paid.

Thomas Jefferson: Drafted by Thomas Jefferson and 4 other delegates from the continental congress. 1776: Started drafting in June 1776 and was edited and approved by July 4th, 1776.
 * Developing the Declaration**