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Article
PBS

Pbs Liberty!: Independence! Philadelphia 1776

For Students 6th - 8th
The newspaper layout makes it simple to read the accounts of the reaction to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The article includes valuable links including an introduction to Thomas Paine and his role in this event.
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Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: American Literature and Composition: Rationalism

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an introduction to a unit on Rationalism, also known as The Age of Reason or Enlightenment, was set during the American Revolutionary period. It focuses on the belief that the power of reason and science would further human...
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Graphic
Curated OER

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Thomas Paine

For Students 9th - 10th
An intellectual, scholar, revolutionary, and idealist, is widely recognized as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A radical pamphleteer, Paine anticipated and helped foment the American Revolution through his powerful...
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Unit Plan
Learn Out Loud

Learn Out Loud: Common Sense by Thomas Paine

For Students 9th - 10th
Listen to the text of the most famous pamphlet in American literary history. Available for listening as an excerpt or as the entire work.
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Website
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Gilder Lehrman Institute: History Now: The Early Republic

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Read about the tremendous growing pains faced by the new republic of the United States from the presidency of George Washington up to the election of Thomas Jefferson. Find out about the domestic...
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Unit Plan
Other

Left Justified: Founding Fathers

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical accounts of fifty men who played a wide variety of roles in bringing about America's break with Great Britain, and in the creation of the documents and plans that created the new nation, like the Declaration of Independence,...
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Website
Other

Object of History: Rallying Revolutionaries: "Common Sense"

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Annotated excerpts from Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" that clearly demonstrate the writer's ability to persuade his American readers to separate from England.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Thomas Paine

For Students 9th - 10th
(1737-1809) British political theorist that published the pamphlet Common Sense.
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Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Common Sense,independence

For Students 9th - 10th
Discussion of comparison and contrast of Declaration of Independence and Common Sense. If you click the "documents" link in the sidebar, you can also access the text of Common Sense.
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Unit Plan
Digital History

Digital History: Explorations: Indentured Servitude and Slavery

For Students 9th - 10th
South of New England, half of all immigrants arrived in various forms of unfreedom: as indentured servants, apprentices, tenants, convicts, or slaves. George Washington's namesake--a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses named George...
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Unit Plan
CPALMS

Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: Colonists: What Were They Thinking?

For Students 7th
This tutorial looks at the British political traditions that influenced the American colonists as they gained their independence from Britain and created their own form of government. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Colonial Influences

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Where did the American colonists get their ideas that lead to a revolution and a whole new kind of government? This lesson explores the Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, English Bill of Rights, Cato's Letters, and Common Sense.
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Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Common Sense and Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview of the philosophy of Thomas Paine in his widely read Common Sense pamphlet, and "natural rights" philosphy as expressed in the opening passage of the Declaration of Independence.
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Handout
Bill of Rights Institute

Bill of Rights Institute: John Dickinson

For Students 9th - 10th
John Dickinson was called "The Penman of the American Revolution." During the 1760s and 1770s, he authored numerous important essays in defense of American rights, including The Late Regulations Respecting the British Colonies, the...
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Interactive
PBS

Pbs Online/the American Revolution

For Students 9th - 10th
Information packed game that takes you on a journey through the lead-up to the Revolutionary War, the Revolutionary War itself, and beyond to the Bill of Rights. Hyperlinks to other articles in this great site.
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Activity
PBS

Pbs: Timeline of the Revolution

For Students 9th - 10th
A timeline beginning at the ascension of King George of England in 1760 and ending at the passing of the US Bill of Rights, is brief but informative. A Revolutionary War game, as well as other educational sites are available.
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Lesson Plan
Huntington Library

Huntington Library: A Nation Conceived in Liberty [Pdf]

For Teachers 11th
For this lesson, 11th graders examine the events and political philosophy that laid the foundations of the American government, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. They also look at what role religion played in shaping American...
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: Declaring Independence [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Follow the steps that Americans took before declaring their independence from Britain. The Declaration of Independence set out the ideals and reasons behind this stunning move. Use the student exercises to understand the different levels...
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: E Pluribus Unum

For Students 5th - 8th
The fact that the Second Continental Congress convened was evidence that the colonists had had enough from the British Parliament. Read about the ways the colonies finally began to work together and focus on a common plan, resulting in...
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Unit Plan
Washington State University

Washington State University: Timeline of American Literature 1750 1799

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Timeline of the social, political, and literary history of Colonial America and the United States, from 1750 to 1799. Contains information about writers of the period, along with portraits and links to related websites.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Age of Atlantic Revolutions

For Students 9th - 10th
The American Revolution fomented change throughout the trans-Atlantic area. Read about the revolution's influence on the French and their overthrowing of their king, and the slave revolt which brought about the second republic in the New...
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Website
British Library

British Library: Discovering Literature: The Enlightenment

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
The Enlightenment's emphasis on reason shaped philosophical, political, and scientific discourse from the late 17th to the early 19th century. This article traces the Enlightenment back to its roots in the aftermath of the Civil War, and...

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