Unit 2: The Revolutionary Momentum and Creation of a Nation
Background information: In unit 1, we studied the political, social, and economic development of the
Chesapeake, Southern, Middle, and New England colonies. These developments showed increasing divergence
among the colonies. In addition, during the 17th and 18th century, British imperial policy vacillated between a
policy of salutary neglect and a determination to reorganize and better control the colonies. By the end of the
French and Indian War in 1763, Britain defeated the French and wiped them off the map of North America, yet
at a cost. The heavy debts caused by the French and Indian war caused the British government to reorganize its
empire to ensure greater economic gain and control, ending the policy of salutary neglect for good. Thus, this
change in policy led to increasing tensions between the colonists and the British government after the French
and Indian War, which leads us to our new unit.
Themes and/or Topics for Unit 2:
 British imperial policy toward the colonies and analysis of the impact this policy had on leading the
colonies to declare independence.
 Impact of the American colonial and revolutionary experience on political, social, and economic
institutions after the War.
 The role of women: Republican Motherhood.
 Origins of the structure of the U.S. government under the Constitution and debates over the power of the
federal government.
Readings:
Out of Many, Chapters 6, 7 and 8 (pgs.237-246)
Howard Zinn. The People’s History of the United States. Chapter 5
Day
Topics and Activities
Assigned Readings and Quiz Dates
OOM-Chapter 6
Thurs 9/5
Go over the unit test
DBQ Activity-French and Indian War DBQ
Creation of the Revolutionary Momentum/Reaction to
Grenville’s Program
Creation of the Revolutionary Momentum/Renewed
Tension with Britain/Continental Congress
Discuss Common Sense and the
Declaration of Independence
Revolutionary War
Fri 9/6
End of War/Treaty of Paris/Impact
OOM-Chapter 7
Mon 9/9
Road to Revolution Activity
MINI Quiz over pgs. 201-220 OOM-Chapter 7
Tues 9/10
Government under the Articles/Critical Period
OOM-Chapter 7
Wed 9/11
Articles of Confederation Activity
Quiz over OOM-Chapter 7 and OOM Ch. 8 pgs (237246)
Ids are due for both chapters
Thurs 9/12
Fri 9/13
Mon 9/16
Creation of the Constitution
Debate over the Constitution
Seminar Discussion: Were the founding fathers
democratic reformers?
ESSAY TEST
OBJECTIVE TEST
Thurs 8/29
Fri 8/30
Tues 9/3
Wed 9/4
Tues 9/17
Wed 9/18
All quiz dates, test dates, and reading assignments are subject to change.
OOM-Chapter 6
OOM-Chapter 6
Quiz over Chapter 6 and IDS
OOM Chapter 7
QUIZ ON Zinn-Ch. 5
ESSAY TEST
OBJECTIVE TEST
IDS-Remember to answer in complete sentences, and address who, what, when, where, and why the person, act,
event is important.
Chapter 6
1. John P. Zenger
2. Thomas Grenville
3. Stamp Act
4. Virtual representation
5. John Dickinson
6. Townshend Act
7. Tea Act
8. Committees of Correspondence
9. Circular Letters
10. Coercive/Intolerable Acts (KNOW the difference)
11. Thomas Paine
Chapter 7
1. Battle of Saratoga
2. Battle of Yorktown
3. Treaty of Paris 1783
4. Articles of Confederation
5. Northwest Ordinance of 1787
6. Newburgh Conspiracy
Chapter 8
1. Federalists
2. Anti-Federalists
3. Bill of Rights
4. The Federalist
5. Shays’s Rebellion
6. Virginia Plan
7. New Jersey Plan
8. Great Compromise