Introduction

The year is 1775. You are a patriot living in one of the original thirteen colonies. You know that desperate times lay ahead. The King of England is determined to suppress any revolt. Yet, you refuse to give in to your fears. As a reporter for the newspaper, you know it is your duty to keep the colonists informed and to persuade them to fight against tyranny! The words of Patrick Henry embolden you, "Give me liberty or give me death!"

Your Task

You will work in cooperative groups to write newspapers representing either the New England, Middle, or Southern Colonies.

You will write persuasive articles to convince the colonists that the time has come to revolt. Your newspaper must include information describing the political, religious, and economic ideas and interests that led to the Revolution.

Your newspaper will also contain a timeline of events leading to the Revolution and articles featuring key individuals between 1770 and 1776.

The Process

Your teacher will assign you to a group representing either the New England, Middle, or Southern Colonies. You are reporters for the local newspaper each writing from different perspectives or roles. Three of you will be responsible for researching and writing persuasive articles and one will make a timeline. In addition, each of you will write a paragraph and include a picture of a different key leader from your region. Your newspaper must feature two men and two women.

Roles

Political Reporter: examine the political reasons why your region would want to rebel. These websites may help you:

French and Indian War

Boston Massacre, Primary Source Document

Boston Massacre

Boston Tea Party and High Tea in Boston Harbour

Boston Tea Party, Primary Source Document

Committee of Correspondence

First Continental Congress, Primary Source Document

Battles of Lexington and Concord

Sociologist: examine the religious reasons why your region would want to rebel. These websites may help you in your research:

Religion in Colonial America

Economist: examine the economic ideas and interests that explain why your region wants to seek independence. These websites may help you in your research:

Sugar Act and Stamp Act

The Stamp Act, Primary Resource 1765

More on the Sugr Act and Stamp Act

The Stamp Act Riots and Tar and Feathering

Townshend Acts

Coercive Acts

Causes of the American Revolution

Historian: Make a timeline of significant events leading to the Revolution and during the Revolution.

You can also ask Jeeves for help.

Now that you are an expert on the American Revolution, you may play the Road to Revolution Game or go to the Fun Zone.