Town Meeting Directions
Ch. 5 Causes of the American Revolution
Name:
Date:
Per:
TOWN MEETINGS- As you may already know, the colonists had a long tradition of selfgovernment including representative assemblies (House of Burgesses in _______________ ),
important documents (Mayflower __________________ ) and Town Meetings (most common in
______________________ Colonies). These Town Meetings were held so the male property owners
in the town could make decisions regarding the government of their town by majority vote. This style
of government is an example of ________________ democracy.
CLASS TOWN MEETING-We are going to have a class TOWN MEETING and by a majority vote
decide the answer to our ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
Should the 13 Colonies declare independence from Great Britain?
HISTORICAL CONTEXT: For the last several years (1763-1775), Parliament and the King have
passed many new laws to govern and control the colonies. These laws included many new
______________ and powers to stop smuggling such as writs of _________________. Some
colonists have responded by forming groups such as the ____________________, boycotting British
_______________, and destroying British property (The ______________________). Parliament and
the king have responded by passing even more laws which were meant to punish the colonies. These
laws were called the ______________________ Acts. In response, the colonist formed militias such
as the _____________________ in Massachusetts. The British sent the ________________ to take
their weapons and the war began at ____________________ (1775).
Throughout these years, many Americans have remained faithful to the king. They are called
________________. Some have grown in opposition to the king. These people are called
___________________. Many remain undecided and are known as _______________________.
YOUR ROLE- is to portray a real historical character in our fictitious TOWN MEETING. Your goal
is to convince other groups in the class to agree with your answer to the essential question. To fulfill
your requirements you will silently read the biography for your person and complete the following:
1. My historical character name is _______________________ and I am a
___________________________ (Loyalist, Patriot, or Neutralist). This means my person
believes that the American colonies should/should not/undecided (circle choice) to the
question “Should the 13 colonies declare independence from Great Britain.”
2. I am from ____________________________
3. I am a (Loyalist, Patriot, or Neutralist) because….
4. Three important facts people at the Town Meeting should know about me…
a.
b.
1
c.
5. A quote that expresses my opinion about the ongoing conflicts between colonists and the
British government would be…..
6. Use the information above and your biography sheet to write a 2-3 sentence introduction of
yourself to the town meeting. You will read this at the beginning of the town meeting. This
statement will clearly state who you are and what your opinion is in the matter of declaring
independence.
7. Nameplate (Loyalists & Patriots only)
a. Use a 9 x 12 piece of construction paper to make your name plate.
b. Fold the paper in half, then fold the last inch of your top and bottom edge in order to
create a “tent.”
c. FRONT
i. Use a bold, thick, font and neatly print your name for all to see. (Leave room
for other requirements).
ii. Put a quote or slogan on your nameplate. This quote/slogan should express
your opinion regarding the essential question.
iii. Draw a symbol that represents Patriot/Loyalist/Neutralist.
d. BACK
i. Key ideas-Use a pencil or thin pen to write at least 3-5 “talking points.” These
would be statements you would like to make at the town meeting and will
convince other people that you are right. Use your book, notes and biography
to complete these talking points.
8. Nameplate Neutralists
a. Use a 9 x 12 piece of construction paper to make your name plate.
b. Fold the paper in half, then fold the last inch of your top and bottom edge in order to
create a “tent.”
c. FRONT
i. Use a bold, thick, font and neatly print your name for all to see. (Leave room
for other requirements).
ii. Put a quote or slogan on your nameplate. This quote/slogan should express
why you are neutral (have not decided if you are in favor of independence).
d. BACK- Write 3 questions you want to ask that will help you decide how you will vote
on the question of “independence” from Great Britain.
e. OTHER-Take a blank sheet of notebook paper and draw a symbol that represents
independence (Patriot view) and on the other side a symbol for supporting the
2
king/Parliament (Loyalist view). Use colored pencils or markers. You will be graded
on the neatness, effort, and symbolism.
9. WORK WITH YOUR GROUP to answer the following questions:
a. What are 5 of the strongest points of argument you can use to win over the
Neutralists? Use your notes (perspectives), book, and personal bio to list evidence to
support your side.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
b. What are 5 arguments that the other side is going to use (their perspective) against us?
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
c. Who should be our most prominent speakers to prove our points?
i. Speaker 1 is ______________ and will say….
ii.
Speaker 2 is ______________ and will say….
iii. Speaker 3 is ______________ and will say….
d. What is going to be our final statement at the end of the Town Meeting to gain the
Neutralists to our side? Who is going to make it?
10. Neutralistsa. What are the reasons that you are still neutral?
i.
ii.
iii.
3
b. Write 3 questions to ask the Patriots to determine if you will vote to declare
independence?
i.
ii.
iii.
c. Write 3 questions to ask the Loyalists to determine if you will stay loyal to king?
i.
ii.
iii.
d. Assign-EACH Neutralist must ask at least one question. Determine who will ask each
question.
Debrief the Town Meeting
Answer the following questions in the space provided.
 How did you feel during the town meeting?

What were the key ideas voiced by the Loyalists against independence?

What were the key ideas voiced by the Patriots for independence?

Which side gave the most convincing arguments? Explain why you chose this side.
Assignment
Your role
#1-6
Nameplate
#7-8
Group Work
#9-10
Debate
Participation
5 excellent
Notes complete and fully
explained person and
role
Bold design, colored,
neat, all requirements
met, excellent design
Excellent notes and
questions, worked well
with others
4 Good
Notes were mostly
complete and accurate
3 Average
Notes were
somewhat accurate
2 Below
Notes were not
accurate/partly done
0-1 incomplete
Notes not accurate
or completed.
Most design
requirements met,
effort shown
Notes and questions
mostly finished, on
task most of the time
Some requirements
met, average effort,
Incomplete, not
accurate.
Participated in the
debate multiple times,
expressed opinion of
character and influenced
others
Participated in the
debate and correctly
stated personal beliefs
of character.
Few requirements
met, lacks evidence
of effort
Notes and questions
partially completed,
constant teacher
supervision required
Participated in
debate but did not
accurately reflect
character’s beliefs.
Notes and
questions partially
completed, teacher
direction needed
Limited participation
in the debate
Did not work with
other; did not
complete group
work
Did not participate
in debate.
TOTAL
4