Lesson Plan: The Debate Over Independence
Grades 7-9
In the years leading up to the American Revolution, many colonists still considered themselves loyal British subjects, even as tensions with Great Britain continued to grow. The Boston Tea Party and the British government’s harsh response pushed colonists toward greater resistance and eventually armed conflict. The decision to declare independence was far from certain, however, as many colonists believed there were strong reasons to remain connected to the British Empire. This lesson invites students to examine the uncertainty of the period by analyzing the competing arguments, pressures and risks that shaped how colonists responded to the growing conflict.
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