Rally For the Cause

“The harder the conflict, the greater the triumph.” - General George Washington

We're knee-deep in the trenches here, folks. [Before the February break,] a British victory at The Battle of Long Island sent colonial troops retreating to Trenton. Those cold, winter months that followed, did a number on the morale of General Washington’s army. Soldiers were tired, cold, hungry, terrified, longing for their families, and at the end of their enlistment period. General Washington desperately needed our help. The battle for independence must continue! Colonists (aka students) promptly decided to rally for the cause. Shown here are some examples of their rally cries. And they worked! The troops have rallied. The battle continues! (Oh, and yes. You'll notice a British General's cry for continued action on their part, too. He just couldn't help himself. Those rascal redcoats).

To Declare or Not Declare?

Colonists (students) have been discussing their next move in the Revolution. In light of the events leading to date, including unfair taxation and trials, the king dissolving colonial legislatures, and a host of other grievances (not to mention the fact that Great Britain is now waging a war against the colonies), they feel that it is probably best for them to consider a course of action that would dissolve the relationship between the colonies and Great Britain. Certainly, these colonists have a whole lot to lose if their attempts to win the revolution fail, but they've come to the conclusion that this may be their only viable option.

Enter the Declaration of Independence. 

We spent some time breaking down the document into four main parts: the preamble, natural rights, grievances, and the resolution; then analyzing each of the parts with the goal of making the structure and content of this important document easier to understand (generally speaking). I'd like to note that the hypocrisy in the "all men are created equal" statement did not go unnoticed by students. It led to an important conversation about equality (particularly with respects to enslaved people, women and Native Americans) and the mindset of many during this period in history. We discussed how far we've come since this time and acknowledged how much more progress still needs to be made. Our country, much like us as individuals, is certainly a work-in-progress. I was also pleased to see that students were able to identify many of the colonists' grievances before we even reviewed that particular section of the document. Yes, yes! They truly seem to understand how we arrived at this moment in history!

Following our analysis of the Declaration of Independence, colonists participated in a simulation involving a shared discussion activity where they each took on the role of one of the individuals who signed the Declaration and the process under which they contemplated the extremely difficult decision to break ties with Great Britain. To better help students understand the seriousness of this decision, they were asked to consider and discuss the following questions with their fellow members of Congress:

What dangers do we face ourselves if we declare independence from Great Britain?

What are the positive things that could happen if we declare our independence from Great Britain?

What could we do to make a compromise with Great Britain? Do you think it would work? 

What are some grievances or complaints we have against Great Britain? 

Can our army handle a war against Great Britain?

What sacrifices will regular citizens have to make if we go to war with Great Britain?

How will Great Britain treat us if we declare our independence and then lose the war?

And the very last question to be discussed: Who votes for independence? Will you risk your life to sign this document? 

Most students came to the conclusion that signing the document was the best course of action. Interestingly though, there were actually two loyalist-minded students who thought that surrendering to Great Britain would most certainly produce a better outcome than continuing the war. That, of course, prompted further inquiry as to what would have happened to them as a result and how our own lives might be different today had that actually happened.

Looks like the signed Declaration is being delivered to the king. How will he react? What will happen next? One British soldier (shown below) is convinced that British troops will undoubtedly conquer. Despite the fact that he is constantly surrounded by angry patriots who are motivated to win, he refuses to withdraw his troops. This soldier is determined to stick it out until the bitter end. And it will be bitter indeed.

Above: Patriots (actually, Patriots fans) taunt a British soldier.

Below: Delegates from the Second Continental Congress discuss the risks and rewards associated with signing the Declaration of Independence.