Unit Overview If you could travel back in time to the early 1700s, the American colonies might not seem very revolutionary at all. They were part of the powerful British Empire, and many colonists considered themselves loyal subjects of the king. They spoke English, followed British laws, and traded goods across the Atlantic Ocean. So … Read more
Imagine living in the American colonies in the early 1700s. You are British, proud of your connection to a powerful empire, and surrounded by land that seems full of opportunity. But beyond the edge of your settlement lies a world of competing claims, powerful Native American nations, and rival European empires—all struggling for control of … Read more
Imagine waking up one morning and discovering that you now have to pay extra money for things you use every day—paper, newspapers, cards, even tea. Now imagine that the people making these rules live far away, and you have no say in their decisions. That’s exactly how many American colonists felt in the years after … Read more
On a cold night in March 1770, something happened in the city of Boston that would change the course of American history. A crowd gathered. Angry words were shouted. Snowballs—and maybe more—were thrown. Then suddenly, British soldiers fired their weapons. When the smoke cleared, five colonists were dead. This event became known as the Boston … Read more
Imagine you are living in Boston in 1773. Ships sit quietly in the harbor, their cargo holds filled with tea. But this is not just any tea—it represents a problem, a protest, and a growing conflict between the American colonies and Great Britain. Within days, that tea would be dumped into the cold waters of … Read more
Imagine that your entire town is being punished for something a group of people did—your harbor is closed, your government is limited, and soldiers are given more power over your daily life. You didn’t personally dump tea into the harbor, but you are still affected by the consequences. This is exactly what happened to the … Read more
Imagine thirteen separate groups of people, each with its own government, traditions, and concerns. They live along the eastern edge of North America, and although they share some similarities, they do not always agree with one another. Now imagine these groups coming together for the first time to solve a major problem that affects them … Read more
It was still dark on the morning of April 19, 1775. A cool spring breeze moved quietly through the trees, and most people in the Massachusetts countryside were still asleep. But something important—something that would change history—was already in motion. British soldiers were marching through the night. They had a mission: to reach the towns … Read more
The air was thick with smoke, and the sound of drums echoed across the hills above Boston. It was June 1775, and the American colonies were already at war with Great Britain. Just weeks earlier, fighting had broken out at Lexington and Concord. Now, both sides were preparing for something bigger. On a narrow stretch … Read more
On a warm summer day in July 1776, a group of men gathered in a large room in Philadelphia. The windows were shut tight, even though the heat was rising. Outside, the streets buzzed with uncertainty. Inside, something extraordinary was about to happen. These men were leaders from the thirteen American colonies. They had argued, … Read more
