Final Project Debate on the Revolutionary War
To bring all of the issues forward, we need to set the debate after the revolution has begun, after the war has started, after the rebellion is underway and Patriots are denouncing the king. Spring of 1776 is a good time. But to allow everyone to be able, if they want, to refer specifically to any of the documents we have discussed, including the Declaration of Independence, we will need to set the debate in the summer of 1776, sometime just after July 4.
Loyalists
Oppose the Patriots.
Defend law and order, maintaining liberty, rights, and the constitutional government, allegiance to the king, and patriotism. Oppose the radicals and their illegal activity. Oppose separating from the empire. Stress the benefits of staying in the empire. Advise being patient and continuing to negotiate with the imperial government. You are afraid of the tyranny that can come at the hands of a radical mob. Once the war has begun, you are ready to fight for king and country.
Patriots
Oppose the Loyalists.
Defend liberty, rights, and a return to constitutional government. Oppose the defenders of the royal government. Advocate separating from the king and the empire. Stress the tyrannical measures that have been inflicted upon colonists by the imperial government. Advise against being patient with a corrupt and greedy power, because what is lost today can be lost forever. Once the war has begun, you are ready to fight for liberty and independence.
The Issue--Questions
The debate will address the following questions--these are the instructor's questions to be addressed during the debate:
1. Who has violated law, the constitution, and the liberty and rights of citizens the most, the imperial government or the Patriots?
2. Should the colonies separate from the British empire?
3. Should there be war or conciliation?
During the Debate:
1. Students will debate their views about war, allegiance to country, freedom, taxes, etc. We will go back and forth from team to team and encourage the students to voice facts.
2. Both teams will make rebuttal remarks and to come up with original ideas that have not yet been discussed in the debate.
3. The debate will continue until no new information is given.
4. Before ending the debate, students need to become more powerful in making stronger comments for their teams and move along at a quicker, more exciting pace.
5. Finally, there will be a summary statement from each team.
Loyalists
Oppose the Patriots.
Defend law and order, maintaining liberty, rights, and the constitutional government, allegiance to the king, and patriotism. Oppose the radicals and their illegal activity. Oppose separating from the empire. Stress the benefits of staying in the empire. Advise being patient and continuing to negotiate with the imperial government. You are afraid of the tyranny that can come at the hands of a radical mob. Once the war has begun, you are ready to fight for king and country.
Patriots
Oppose the Loyalists.
Defend liberty, rights, and a return to constitutional government. Oppose the defenders of the royal government. Advocate separating from the king and the empire. Stress the tyrannical measures that have been inflicted upon colonists by the imperial government. Advise against being patient with a corrupt and greedy power, because what is lost today can be lost forever. Once the war has begun, you are ready to fight for liberty and independence.
The Issue--Questions
The debate will address the following questions--these are the instructor's questions to be addressed during the debate:
1. Who has violated law, the constitution, and the liberty and rights of citizens the most, the imperial government or the Patriots?
2. Should the colonies separate from the British empire?
3. Should there be war or conciliation?
During the Debate:
1. Students will debate their views about war, allegiance to country, freedom, taxes, etc. We will go back and forth from team to team and encourage the students to voice facts.
2. Both teams will make rebuttal remarks and to come up with original ideas that have not yet been discussed in the debate.
3. The debate will continue until no new information is given.
4. Before ending the debate, students need to become more powerful in making stronger comments for their teams and move along at a quicker, more exciting pace.
5. Finally, there will be a summary statement from each team.
Readings
Read the following selections:
Dulany, "Considerations"
Dickinson, "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania"
Jefferson, "Summary View"
Seabury, "Letters of a Westchester Farmer"
Oliver, "Origin and Progress of the American Rebellion"
Paine, Common Sense, "On Monarchy"
Declaration of Independence
(Other documents:)
Proclamation of 1763
Sugar Act
Stamp Act
Henry, Virginia Resolutions, 1765
Stamp Act Congress Resolutions
Declaratory Act
Townshend Duties
Coercive Acts
1st Continental Congress, Declaration and Resolutions
Wm Franklin, "Your Duty is to Guard and Preserve the Constitution and the Rights of Your Constituents"
Henry, "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death"
Declaration of the Causes and Necessities of Taking Up Arms
Declaration of Rebellion
R. H. Lee, Resolutions for Independence, June 1776
Dickinson, "Arguments Against Independence"
Independence, Letter of J. Adams
Dulany, "Considerations"
Dickinson, "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania"
Jefferson, "Summary View"
Seabury, "Letters of a Westchester Farmer"
Oliver, "Origin and Progress of the American Rebellion"
Paine, Common Sense, "On Monarchy"
Declaration of Independence
(Other documents:)
Proclamation of 1763
Sugar Act
Stamp Act
Henry, Virginia Resolutions, 1765
Stamp Act Congress Resolutions
Declaratory Act
Townshend Duties
Coercive Acts
1st Continental Congress, Declaration and Resolutions
Wm Franklin, "Your Duty is to Guard and Preserve the Constitution and the Rights of Your Constituents"
Henry, "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death"
Declaration of the Causes and Necessities of Taking Up Arms
Declaration of Rebellion
R. H. Lee, Resolutions for Independence, June 1776
Dickinson, "Arguments Against Independence"
Independence, Letter of J. Adams