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Freedom By Devin McMillen |
Student Activities
Student Activity: Minority Groups in the American Revolution
Men were not the only ones to play a part in the Revolutionary War.
Women, African Americans and Native Americans also had significant
roles. Women contributed to the cause by alerting the soldiers of
an impending British invasion, destroying British artillery storehouses,
and even fighting in battle. African Americans and Native Americans
also joined the Patriot cause.
The
interesting perspective about their roles in the war is that they
had more freedom in battle than they did during peace. Women had
no rights to vote, own property or even speak in public. Most African
Americans in the South were slaves, and the colonists had an existing
enmity with the Native Americans since they frequently had to battle
warring tribes. But despite being marginalized, these groups found
the courage to fight alongside the men who mistreated them.
This
activity will ask the students to learn about a particular person
in a minority group, present that person's contribution to the war,
and discuss their possible reasons for contributing and how conditions
have changed or not changed for each group.
Objectives
- To learn about
a person in a minority group contributed to the country's fight for
freedom.
- To learn about
how that person contributed to the war.
- To consider reasons
why the person may have contributed despite their circumstances.
- To discuss how
the freedoms and rights of minority groups have changed from the late
18th century to today.
Estimated Time
In addition
to out of class reading, students should prepare to devote at least
1 or 2 class periods to this discussion.
Teaching Strategy
- Have the students choose a woman, African American
or Native American who contributed to the American Revolution
to learn about.
- For women, go to this Web site: http://rims.k12.ca.us/women_american_revolution/
- For African Americans, go to this Web page: http://afroamhistory.about.com/library/prm/blforgottenpatriots1.htm
then do a separate search for each person named in the narrative.
- For Native Americans, go to this Web page: http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/halew/Raymond28.html
or read Cherokees of NC in the American Revolution by James
H. O'Donnell III
Relevant NC Curriculum Standards
NC History Standards
- Competency Goal 11: Assess changes over time
- Competency Goal 12: Trace developments in NC history and how
they impact life today
Economics
- Competency Goal 9: Evaluate how North Carolinians use state
resources
Political Science
- Competency Goal 8: Examine ways North Carolinians govern themselves
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