Standard #: SS.8.CG.1.1


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Compare the views of Patriots, Loyalists and other colonists on limits of government authority, inalienable rights and resistance to tyranny.


Clarifications


Clarification 1: Students will describe colonial forms of government prior to the American Revolution.

Clarification 2: Students will evaluate the Loyalists’ and Patriots’ arguments for remaining loyal to the British Crown or seeking independence from Britain.



Related Courses

Course Number1111 Course Title222
2100010: M/J United States History (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2100015: M/J United States History & Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2100020: M/J United States History Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2100025: M/J United States History Advanced & Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
7821026: Access M/J United States History and Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2019, 2019 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
7821025: Access M/J United States History (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2100045: M/J United States History & Civics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))


Related Access Points

Access Point Number Access Point Title
SS.8.CG.1.AP.1 Identify the views of Patriots, Loyalists and other colonists on limits of government authority, inalienable rights and resistance to tyranny.


Related Resources

Lesson Plans

Name Description
Colonists of the American Revolution (Lesson 2 of 3)

In this lesson, students will apply their knowledge of the Patriots and Loyalists in a writing activity where they will argue in favor of independence or remaining under British authority. This is lesson 2 of 3 in a mini-unit integrating Civics and American History.

Colonists of the American Revolution (Lesson 1 of 3)

In this lesson, students will develop background knowledge on the two major groups of colonists during the American Revolution: the Patriots and Loyalists. They will compare each group’s views on limits of government authority, inalienable rights, and resistance to tyranny. This is lesson 1 of 3 in a mini-unit integrating Civics and American Government.

Alexander Hamilton: The Outsider: Understanding Perspectives: Colonists, Patriots, and Loyalists

Students will use new vocabulary to complete a graphic organizer, and differentiate between the Loyalist and Patriot perspectives, and civic virtue as they read Alexander Hamilton: The Outsider by Jean Fritz in this lesson.

There are three CPALMS lessons that can be used to complement a study of Alexander Hamilton: The Outsider and help students take a new perspective by merging ELA skills with civics knowledge.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Who To Support?

To compare the views and impacts of key figures on political and social developments in the Colonial period, students will complete a Philosophical Chairs activity on the ideas of the Loyalists and Patriots. Students will finish by choosing a side and completing a writing prompt to justify their choice.

Conflict in the Colonies: Patriots or Loyalists

The lesson will begin with a hook activity where students will review the ideals of the Patriots, Loyalists, and Neutralists. Students will then work in small groups to work through a gallery walk where they will evaluate various scenarios to determine if the “colonist” that they are reading about is taking the viewpoint of a Patriot, Loyalist, or neither. The lesson will end with a class discussion reviewing the “colonists” presented in the gallery walk.

Loyalists vs. Patriots: Choosing Sides

In this lesson plan, students will engage in a discussion regarding Loyalists’ and Patriots’ arguments / perspectives on the actions needed to be taken in regard to Great Britain and develop their own supporting comments on whether or not each side was justified in their actions.

Who do you side with?

Students will research primary and secondary sources and then use them as evidence to support the claim they choose.

Conflict in the Colonies: When did it Happen?

The lesson will begin with a hook activity where the students use fictional quotes to discuss the events that led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence. The teacher will then break the students off into a small group where they will complete a timeline poster matching the event, description/reaction, and an image in order. The students will then work individually, without notes, to complete an events sort worksheet.

Loyalists vs Patriots: Who’s Who?

In this lesson plan, students will analyze the various arguments / perspectives used by Loyalists and Patriots in respect to Great Britain and their actions towards the colonists.

Conflicts in the Colonies: What Happened?

In this lesson plan, students will interact in a hook activity where they will be presented with a series of scenarios where their “rights” will be taken away by their parents/teachers. The students will be asked how they would react under these circumstances, the students can turn and talk about their predictions. The teacher will then present the students with new guided notes. The teacher will introduce the event to the students, such as the French and Indian war, and ask the students to predict what happens next. After the students predict the reaction of the king and the colonists, the teacher reveals the true historical reaction. The students will then be asked if they think the colonists were justified in their actions as an exit slip.

Loyalist vs Patriot: Who Are They?

In this lesson plan, students will be introduced to the arguments / perspective of Loyalists and Patriots in seeking independence from Great Britain.

A Whole New World: Colonizing America

In this lesson plan, students will be able to identify the geographic location of the countries the colonists came from. Students will also be able to analyze the physical and cultural characteristics of great regions and describe the colonial forms of governments established during the colonization of America.

Views of the American Revolution: Comparing Patriots and Loyalists

In this lesson, students will compare the views or perspectives of Patriots and Loyalists in regards to British policy during the era of the American Revolution.

Views of the American Revolution: Patriot or Loyalist?

In this lesson, students will compare the views or perspectives of Patriots and Loyalists during the period of the American Revolution. Students will examine and analyze primary quotes and excerpts in order to decipher differing ideas and perspectives.

Views of the American Revolution: R.A.F.T. Writing Activity

This lesson allows for students to engage and conceptualize the views of the Patriots and Loyalists during the Revolutionary War. Students will be assigned the role of a Patriot or Loyalist and tasked with creation of a writing sample to convince the various audiences during the time period.

Loyalist vs Patriot: You Choose

In this lesson, students will be able to distinguish the difference between a Loyalist and a Patriot. Students will also analyze why some colonists remained neutral throughout the colonization of America leading into the American Revolution, eventually being made to choose a side. Students will analyze both political perspectives, using geographic skills to locate the countries that a Loyalist and Patriot represent (using a map), and to determine why these groups were loyal to their respective ideologies.

Let's Get those British Policies in Line!

In this lesson plan, students will research the policies put in place by Great Britain because of the French and Indian War and then create a timeline of the events.

Patriots vs. Loyalists vs. Neutralists

In this lesson plan, students will identify the views of the Patriots, Loyalists, and Neutralists toward British Policy from 1763-1774.

THE COLONIZATION OF AMERICA

In this lesson plan, students will compare the relationships between the British, French, Dutch, and Spanish in their struggle to colonize America. Students will be able to explain their physical attributes with the use of a Map and cultural attributes with the use of guided notes.

The Quest for Independence: Patriots vs. Loyalists

Students will explore excerpts of primary quotes to analyze the arguments between the Patriots and the Loyalists during the American Revolution.

The Beginning of a Revolution: Patriots versus Loyalists

In this lesson, students learn about the events leading up to the American Revolution. Students will compare the beliefs of Patriots and Loyalists regarding government authority and tyranny.

The Revolution: Who Am I?

In this lesson, students will review important individuals who were involved in the American Revolution by matching descriptions of various individuals with their names and if they were a Patriot, Loyalist, or neutral.  Students will then attempt to sway other colonists to join their side. 

The Founders Gallery Walk

In this lesson, students will be able to identify key individuals who contributed to the founding documents (Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison, and George Mason).

Colonial Regions: Middle, Southern and New England Colonies

In this lesson plan, students will work in groups to gather information on a colonial region's geography, economy, religion, and government structure, and then present that information to their classmates in the form of a poster.

Comparing Viewpoints

In this lesson plan, students will compare the viewpoints of Patriots, Loyalists, and other colonists that led to the American Revolution. Students will work in pairs to analyze excerpts and determine the point of view and topic. 

Patriots and Loyalists: What Did They Believe?

In this lesson plan, students will analyze several primary sources representing the views of Loyalists and Patriots and will compare these groups' arguments for or against independence.

Colonists of the American Revolution (Lesson 3 of 3)

In this lesson, students will read about different groups in the American Revolution, their beliefs, and how they impacted the movement. This is lesson 3 of 3 in a mini-unit integrating Civics and American History.

Original Student Tutorial

Name Description
Meet the Patriots and Loyalists

In this interactive tutorial, you'll learn about the Patriots' and Loyalists' views on government authority and tyranny. 

Teaching Ideas

Name Description
Grade 8 Civics Family Guide: Standard 1

This Grade 8 Civics Family Guide provides some ideas and activities to support civics education when at home, out and about, and in the community. The activities provided align to the civics learning benchmarks within Standard 1 at this grade level.

British Policies and Colonial Concerns Tic Tac Toe

This Tic Tac Toe activity is intended to allow students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of British policies and colonial concerns of the American Revolutionary period.  

Silent Debate: Patriots vs. Loyalists

This teaching resource intended for the debate classroom will provide teachers the tools to create a silent debate after studying the Declaration of Independence. Students will debate Patriots’ and Loyalists’ view on government authority and tyranny.

Student Resources

Original Student Tutorial

Name Description
Meet the Patriots and Loyalists:

In this interactive tutorial, you'll learn about the Patriots' and Loyalists' views on government authority and tyranny. 



Parent Resources

Teaching Idea

Name Description
Grade 8 Civics Family Guide: Standard 1:

This Grade 8 Civics Family Guide provides some ideas and activities to support civics education when at home, out and about, and in the community. The activities provided align to the civics learning benchmarks within Standard 1 at this grade level.



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