06/28/99

Celebrate the Revolution

After Britain's expensive victory in the French and Indian War of 1754 - 1763, the crown decided to recoup some of the costs of defending the colonies by taxing the colonists. The colonists were outraged at the tax, but unlike their British counterparts, had no elected representatives in Parliament. "Taxation without representation is tyranny," became a battle cry. Each year at this time, we celebrate the colonists' victory and the birth of our nation. Happy Independence Day!

America Rock: The Shot Heard 'Round the World

"Now, the ride of Paul Revere set the nation on its ear, and the shot at Lexington heard 'round the world, when the British fired in the early dawn, the War of Independence had begun, the die was cast, the rebel flag unfurled." You can listen to this frolicking song from School House Rock in a variety of formats, but the animated QuickTime movie is my favorite. Click on "Back" for links to more revolutionary tunes such as No More Kings and Fireworks.

The History Place: American Revolution

This easy-to-peruse time line starts with the early explorers ("1000 A.D. - Leif Ericson, a Viking seaman, explores the east coast of North America and sights Newfoundland, establishing a short-lived settlement there.") and continues to the early years of our new nation ("July 10, 1790 - The House of Representatives votes to locate the national capital on a ten square-mile site along the Potomac, with President George Washington choosing the exact location.") Don't miss their Five Tips on writing a better history report.

Liberty! The American Revolution

"It's 1763. You're a basically happy, content colonist in North America. British and proud of it. The French and Indian War has just ended. Peace reigns on the continent. What did Great Britain create, in 1765, that put you on The Road to Revolution?" So begins the interactive game that puts you in the middle of the revolutionary action. Other fabulous clicks are Perspectives on Liberty (a clickable view of daily colonial life) and Liberty Today (a photo montage of newly naturalized citizens.)

Revolutionary Webquest

My favorite click at this student-created site is the Road to Independence, a Javascript simulation game. "You will act as the commander of the continental army. You will be responsible for managing troops, trading for supplies and money, and for coping with disasters. . . . To win this war, you must conquer five fictional cities, each city better defended than the previous." Additional sections cover Key Events, Heroes, and Major Battles of the Revolutionary War.

Virtual Marching Tour of the American Revolution

In late July 1777 "the largest [British] armada ever assembled in America set sail off of Sandy Hook, New Jersey. It was carrying 17,000 British soldiers and sailors in over 260 ships. The armada was headed for an attack on the capital city of Philadelphia. They underwent a distressful thirty-four day sea-trek. The voyage took its toll in lost time, seasick soldiers, and scores of dead horses. Washington's troops started in northern New Jersey and shadowed the movement of the British fleet." Starting with an excellent backgrounder on the events that spurred the colonists to revolt, this virtual marching tour provides a battle-by-battle view of the war.

Please send questions or comments to feldman@surfnetkids.com.