Smithsonian's History Explorer Resources Related To "War of Independence"

Preparing for the Oath: Establishing Independence

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:43:04 GMT

Learn more about America’s transition from colony to country through short videos, mini-activities, and practice questions in this segment of Preparing for the Oath: U.S. History and Civics for Citizenship. The eight questions included in this segment cover topics such as the Declaration of Independence, the War of Independence, and George Washington.

This site was designed with the needs of recent immigrants in mind. It is written at a “low-intermediate” ESL level.

The Time Trial of Benedict Arnold

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 13:20:39 GMT

In this lesson, students will examine the difference between history and memory by debating the legacy of Benedict Arnold. Using video clips of an actor playing Arnold, students are invited to debate his actions and determine how history should remember him.

The Price of Freedom: Americans at War Homepage

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:06:40 GMT

Americans have gone to war to win their independence, expand their national boundaries, define their freedoms, and defend their interests around the globe. This online exhibition examines how wars have shaped the nations' history and transformed American society. Students will learn about American military history through the use of an interactive timeline, brief movies, and objects from the museum's vast collections. Also included are a collection search, an interactive game, and learning resources.

War of Independence Activity: Who’s in Camp?

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:51:20 GMT

Use artifacts and historical literature to bring the War of Independence to life for elementary students. By playing the "Who's in camp?" card game, students develop a deeper understanding of the many civilian and military roles that supported the War of Independence, then use their knowledge for a role-playing writing assignment. This lesson plan, which includes background information and printable artifact cards, was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

The Dodge Family and Chance: Seeking Freedom in the Revolutionary War

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:38:06 GMT

Students can learn about the Dodges, Chance and life at the time of the American Revolution by investigating a room from their house, a will from 1786, and artifacts from the period. By the 1770s, Abraham and Bethiah Dodge and many other Americans were willing to risk everything for independence, and African Americans such as Chance, their slave; asked white patriots to live up to their ideas about liberty. The Dodges and Chance are one group of people that lived in the Ipswich, Massachusetts house which is the focus of Within These Walls, an online exhibition.