Topic: American Revolution

Media  ›  document

Engraving of the Declaration of Independence

Engraving of the Declaration of Independence.
Article

Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence

In early May, 1776, Jefferson traveled to Philadelphia to be a delegate to the Second Continental Congress. After a week’s journey, he arrived in Philadelphia. He was thirty-three years old, the youngest member of the Congress. 

Media  ›  image

The Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull

Engraving of the painting “The Declaration of Independence” by John Trumbull depicting the Committee of Five presenting the Declaration to the Second Continental Congress....
Lesson Plan

“A Government Without Newspapers, or Newspapers Without Government:” Jefferson’s Ambivalent Attitude Towards the Press

With more and more discussion lately about “fake news” and the protections of the press guaranteed under the First Amendment, explore how Thomas Jefferson might approach the media today. Through...
Media  ›  image

Map of the British Colonies in North America in 1763

This map by Carington Bowles shows the boundaries of the American colonies in 1763 following the French and Indian Wars.
Lesson Plan

Explore the daily life of a slave at Monticello

During this lesson the learner will use primary and secondary sources found in the Slavery at Monticello app to determine how slaves truly impacted the production at Monticello.  ...
Lesson Plan

Frenemies: George Washington and Thomas Jefferson

In this lesson, students will complete a Nearpod that discusses the philosophical and political differences between Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. Ideally this lesson comes after the completion of the...
Lesson Plan

Let facts be submitted to a candid world: Categorizing the List of Grievances

Most readers are familiar with the excerpt from the Declaration of Independence above. However, fewer people are familiar with what’s known as the List of Grievances. It’s the third part...
Lesson Plan

Empire of Liberty or Empire of Slavery?

This three-stage lesson explores Thomas Jefferson’s plans to create an “Empire of Liberty” and the problems he faced in realizing his goals. In so doing, it considers the state of...
Lesson Plan

Revise and Finalize: The Declaration of Independence from the Rough Draft to the Final Copy

This lesson focuses on comparing Thomas Jefferson’s rough draft of the Declaration of Independence with the final copy. Examining the creation of the Declaration of Independence will deepen their understanding...