Essays

The Road to Revolution

The essays in this section have been written by leading scholars of American history. They provide additional depth on events and ideas referred to in the introductory essay and, in some cases, different interpretations by historians looking at the same events. These essays are particularly useful in introducing your students to one of the most exciting aspects of studying history—understanding the past from a variety of perspectives.

Lockean Liberalism and the American Revolution

Author: Isaac Kramnick Curriculum Subjects: Government and Civics, Religion and Philosophy Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13+
Recueil des loix constitutives des colonies, 1778 (GLC01720)

The Declaration of Independence in Global Perspective

Author: David Armitage Curriculum Subjects: Government and Civics, World History Grade Levels: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13+
“Bostonian’s Paying the Excise-man” (London: Philip Dawe, 1774). (GLC04961.01)

Unruly Americans in the Revolution

Author: Woody Holton Curriculum Subjects: Economics, Government and Civics Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13+

Essays from Other Sub-Eras

The Works of John Woolman (Philadelphia: Crukshank, 1774) (GLC06191p253)

Anti-Slavery before the Revolutionary War

Author: Sylvia R. Frey Curriculum Subjects: Religion and Philosophy Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13+
Commissioner of Labor Statistics explains loss of wages since 1929. (LOC, P&P)

Economic Policy through the Lens of History

Author: Roger E. A. Farmer Curriculum Subjects: Economics Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13+

George Washington’s French and Indian War

Author: Theodore J. Crackel Curriculum Subjects: World History Grade Levels: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13+

Inventing American Diplomacy

Author: R. B. Bernstein Curriculum Subjects: Government and Civics, World History Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13+

The Colonial Virginia Frontier and International Native American Diplomacy

Author: William White Curriculum Subjects: Government and Civics Grade Levels: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Destruction of the statue of George III in New York, 1776. (GLC)

The Invention of the Fourth of July

Author: David Waldstreicher Curriculum Subjects: Government and Civics, World History Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13+

The League of the Iroquois

Author: Matthew Dennis Curriculum Subjects: Government and Civics Grade Levels:
"History of the Rise, Progress and Termination of the American Revolution," fron

The Righteous Revolution of Mercy Otis Warren

Author: Ray Raphael Curriculum Subjects: Government and Civics, Literature, Religion and Philosophy Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13+

Thomas Jefferson and Deism

Author: Peter S. Onuf Curriculum Subjects: Grade Levels:
The County Election, based on a painting by George C. Bingham, 1854. (Gilder Leh

Winning the Vote: A History of Voting Rights

Author: Steven Mintz Curriculum Subjects: Government and Civics Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13+