This lesson looks at the legacy of George Washington, perhaps the most influential leader in the creation of the American nation. Through his achievements as commander-in-chief during the Revolution, in support of the drafting and ratification of the Constitution, and as the first president, Washington was instrumental in transforming the ideals of the Revolution into reality. His career as a soldier, revolutionary, constitution-maker, and chief executive of a new nation demanded a range of skills and talents with few precedents in history.
When students have completed this lesson, they will be able to evaluate, take, and defend a position on the contributions of the "Father of His Country" to the nation's traditions of constitutional government and citizenship.
Follow George Washington’s decision to move the course of action to Yorktown, Virginia in this video created by George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Learn about Washington’s challenge to identify the best course of action with the French allies as he decides to confront the British Command in Virginia instead of New York. This visually rich movie engages students in the details of American military history through animated maps, live-action re-enactors, and compelling narration. Explore the full collection of George Washing and the American Revolution resources.
In this video from PBSLearningMedia, John Green teaches students about the American Revolution. John will teach you about the major battles of the war and discuss the strategies on both sides. Everyone is familiar with how this war played out for the Founding Fathers; they got to become the Founding Fathers. But what did the revolution mean to the common people in the United States? For white, property-owning males, it was pretty sweet. They gained rights that were a definite step up from being British Colonial citizens. For everyone else, the short-term gains were not clear. Women's rights were unaffected, and slaves remained in slavery. As for poor white folks, they remained poor and disenfranchised. The reality is it took a long time for this whole democracy thing to get underway, and the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness weren't immediately available to all these newly minted Americans.
This interactive game from WNET Thirteen, “For Crown or Colony?” puts players in the shoes of Nat Wheeler, a printer’s apprentice in 1770 Boston. Players encounter both Patriots and Loyalists, and when rising tensions result in the Boston Massacre, they must choose where their loyalties lie. A brand-new version of this game is now available! Teachers will need to register to play this game. The game can be played in a whole group setting or individually. Teachers can also download a teacher's guide.
In this lesson plan, students examine Thomas Jefferson's desk to gather information about the writing of the Declaration of Independence. After reviewing additional resources, students create a virtual exhibit.