American Independence

Long ago, colonial leaders wrote the Declaration of Independence to say the Thirteen Colonies would not be part of the British Empire anymore, but what would you say if you wrote this famous document? Students will first read a brief introduction reminding them of why the Declaration of Independence was written. Then, they will draft their own version of the Declaration, using what they know of colonial America to detail the reasons they would be unhappy with British rule. 

This creative exercise is a great way to get students personally invested in American history. They'll not only recall their existing knowledge of the Thirteen Colonies and the pre–Revolutionary War period, they'll also use that knowledge to relate to the colonists and gain a better understanding of their perspective.

Check out another worksheet on the American Revolution here: People of the Revolutionary War.