Still hesitant because they had more to lose than

still hesitant because they had more to lose than ordinary colonists
Lesson 3: Thomas Paine’s Common Sense
Essential Question: Explain how effective a role did Thomas Paine’s Common Sense play in convincing
colonists to sever ties with Britain.
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Terms Time
and/or
Date(s)
Definition and Significance Course Big
Idea
Thomas Paine,
Common Sense
1776 Paine attacked the idea of hereditary monarchy,
declaring that one honest man was worth more to
society than "all the crowned ruffians that ever
lived." He presented the alternatives -- continued
submission to a tyrannical king and an outworn
government, or liberty and happiness as a
self-sufficient, independent republic.
Self and
society
Great Britain The 1760s Great Britain ruled over the colonies until the
American revolution. It was ruled by King George lll
and it imposed unfair taxes, acts, and laws onto the
colony along with many other causes for the
revolution
America
and the
world
Rights 1760-
present
Rights are given to us by the government in which the
government cannot take away and have to respect
those of every person. Ex: Bill of rights
Self and
society
Summary Response to Lesson Question:
The booklet Continentaljust referred to the common knowledge of the colonists about the world. He mentions facts
that most people can agree with that will bring about a change in the mind of the colonist.
Lesson 4: The American Revolution
Essential Question: How is searching for historical information online different from other forms of
research? What steps do students need to take in researching information online to ensure a better chance
at validity?
Terms Time
and/or
Date(s)
Definition and Significance Course Big
Idea
Faux N/A Fake or false, or an imitation. N/A
Unreliable sources Modern The author defines this as information on history that
doesn’t come from professional scholars.
N/A
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Open archives Modern The author defines these as websites that are open to
anybody, regardless of whether or not they are
professional archivists.
N/A
Summary Response to Lesson Question:
Searching for historical information on the Internet has many factors other than any other form of research (whether
it's good or bad). For example, you can receive information much faster and it is accessible to everyone; however, the
information may be inaccurate due to the number of people who are not professionals in a particular field writing
about the events. Students must validate by researching the author, viewing metadata, checking the history of the
site, and searching for reviews about the site.
Lesson 5: Who Won the American Revolution?
Essential Question: In the study of history, conflicts are often distilled to winners and losers. This can gloss
over various subtleties that should be further examined. How revolutionary was the American Revolution,
and for who specifically could be deemed the winners or losers?