American Revolution Rebels With a Cause

1. Rebels With a Cause
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Britain’s thirteen American Colonies were very different from one another. Competition existed
between the colonies, and their relationships were sometimes strained. So when war broke out
between Britain and America, the colonies had to unite in order to fight.
The Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia in May 1775. By this time, the first shots
of the American Revolution had been fired at Lexington and Concord. The delegates to the
Congress included such notable figures as John Adams, Sam Adams, Patrick Henry, Thomas
Jefferson, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and John Hancock. The main tasks of the
Congress were to raise an army and form a navy to defend the colonies.
Imagine you are a delegate to the Second Continental Congress. There, you will discuss your
grievances against Britain and will present your ideas for raising an army and navy. You must
also consider how you will raise money for the war and how you will rally the colonists to your
cause.
a. The army- your task is to design a uniform for the Continental soldiers. First, your
group must discuss the following questions:
1. How will Congress raise an army?
2. Who and how many will fight?
3. Who will lead the army?
4. How long will soldiers serve and how will they be paid?
Your final product is a group presentation explaining your answers to each of the
questions and a ceremonial unveiling of the uniform.
b. The navy- your task is to design a uniform for the Continental sailors. First, your
group must discuss the following questions:
1. How will Congress raise a navy?
2. Whose ships will be used?
3. How will the ships be used?
4. Who will lead the navy?
Your final product is a group presentation explaining your answers to each of the
questions and a ceremonial unveiling of the uniform.
c. The money- your task is to design currency to be issued by the Continental
Congress. First, your group must discuss the following questions:
1. What type of money (paper, coins) will be used in the colonies?
2. What will it be called?
3. What will it look like?
4. Where will it be produced?
Your final product is a group presentation explaining your answers to each of the
questions and a ceremonial unveiling of the new national currency.

2. Rebels With a Cause
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d. The allies- your task is to design a poster to persuade foreign allies support the
Patriot effort to achieve independence. First, your group must discuss the following
questions:
1. To which nations will you turn to for help?
2. What type of aid do you expect them to provide?
3. What will you offer them in return?
4. Who will you send as diplomats? Explain why the men were chosen.
Your final product is a group presentation explaining your answers to each of the
questions and a ceremonial unveiling of the poster.
e. The symbols- your task is to design a flag to represent the new country. First, your
group must discuss the following questions:
1. What will the flag look like?
2. What colors will you have on the flag? Please explain why they were chosen.
3. What symbols will you use on the flag? Please explain why they were chosen.
4. Where will the flag be produced?
Your final product is a group presentation explaining your answers to each of the
questions and the ceremonial unveiling of your flag.
Your final project grade will be determined by your score on each of the following:
1. Your peer evaluation.
2. Your portion of the oral presentation.
3. The poster, uniform, or flag created by the group.
4. The written response to your question.