American Independence
Unit description: Growing tensions over political power and economic issues sparked a movement for independence from Great Britain. New York played a critical role in the course and outcome of the American Revolution. In this unit students will study how conflicts between France and Great Britain in the 17th and 18th centuries in North America altered the relationship between the colonies and Great Britain. Students will investigate how American colonial leaders outlined their grievances against British policies and actions in the Declaration of Independence. In addition, students will examine how the outcome of the American Revolution was influenced by military strategies, geographic considerations, the involvement of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and other Native American groups in the war.
Standards
Standards: 1, 4, 5; Themes: TCC, GOV, ECO
Essential Questions and Big Ideas
- Big idea of the unit: Growing tensions over political power and economic issues sparked a movement for independence from Great Britain.
- What altered the relationship between the colonies and Great Britain in the 17th and 18th centuries?
- Conflicts between France and Great Britain in the 17th and 18th centuries in North America altered the relationship between the colonies and Great Britain.
- What was the colonial response to the British government enacting and attempting to enforce new political and economic policies in the colonies?
- Stemming from the French and Indian War, the British government enacted and attempted to enforce new political and economic policies in the colonies. These policies triggered varied colonial responses, including protests and dissent.
- What ideas and influences lead to the writing of the Declaration of Independence?
- Influenced by Enlightenment ideas and their rights as Englishmen, American colonial leaders outlined their grievances against British policies and actions in the Declaration of Independence.
- What factors impacted the outcome of the American Revolution?
- The outcome of the American Revolution was influenced by military strategies, geographic considerations, the involvement of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and other Native American groups in the war, and aid from other nations.
Download the complete Grade 7 Social Studies Unit 3 framework to customize for your own planning.