Oklahoma Academic Standard 3. Students should be able to describe the different views of groups and their perspectives toward American independence. Such views were based on political ties, economic concerns, familial relationships, and personal risks.

Objective 5.3.8 Identify the contributions of key individuals involved in the American Revolution including Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Abigail Adams, Paul Revere, Nathan Hale, John Paul Jones, Thayendanegea (Joseph Brant), Nancy Ward the Beloved Woman of the Cherokee, Marquis de Lafayette, Benjamin Franklin, Mercy Otis Warren, and Phillis Wheatley.

In a Nutshell

This objective focuses student learning on the contributions of key individuals related to the struggle for American independence. Students should understand the leadership characteristics, courageous actions of these individuals and their legacy in relationship to the war for independence. Students should be able to explain to what extent the actions of such individuals impacted the success or failure of the revolution.

Teacher Action 

Student Action 

• Assist students in describing the specific contributions of individuals who have shaped significant historical change in regional and national events during the Revolutionary Era.

• Provide opportunities for students to explain the challenges people have faced and the strategies used to address local and national historical problems. 

• Compose narratives to develop and examine a topic in social studies, using information appropriately about a specific individual and their impact on the outcome of the American Revolution.

• Create presentations that integrate visual displays and other multimedia to enrich the presentation featuring characteristics of civic virtue represented in historic figures of the revolutionary era.

Key Concepts 

Misconceptions 

• contributions in the field of military leadership and bravery, heroism and sacrifice, political acuity, and sustaining morale

• political leadership- Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Nancy Ward, Benjamin Franklin
• military leadership and bravery- Nathan Hale, John Paul Jones, Joseph Brant, Marquis de Lafayette  
• sustaining morale- Abigail Adams, Paul Revere, Mercy Otis Warren, Phillis Wheatley 

• Many students will have some degree of background knowledge of selected individuals and their involvement in the war effort; however, many students may fail to realize the impact of lesser-known individuals, including women, African Americans, and American Indians.

Instructional Resources