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We do not always think about propaganda as an important tool for mobilizing colonists during the American Revolution. However, propaganda was used in important ways to build support. In this inquiry, students will use primary sources from the Library of Congress to learn about how propaganda was used to ignite the American Revolution.
How did propaganda ignite the American Revolution?
D3.3.6-8: Identify evidence that draws from multiple sources to support claims, noting evidentiary limitations.
Teachers may begin this activity by asking students if they know what propaganda is. After students provide answers (either individually or with a shoulder partner), have them share their thoughts with the class. Explain that propaganda has been used to manipulate or compel individuals towards collective causes throughout history. Teachers can then introduce the main ways propaganda influences behavior (appeals to fear, authority, or prejudice, and demonization & parody). Next, have students work in small groups to brainstorm reasons that colonists did not like living under British rule leading up to the Revolutionary War. These will be some of the ideas used in American propaganda.
Next, explain to students that today they will work to answer the question “How did propaganda ignite the American Revolution?”. Introduce the source they will use for this activity and have students analyze the primary source individually to break down its argument and make their claim about the source.
Lastly, students can share their findings about the primary source to gain a better understanding of how propaganda was used to spark the Revolutionary War.
COLLABORATE: Students collaborate with partners to brainstorm a list of reasons colonists did not like living under British rule.
DELIBERATE: Students will individually analyze and deliberate analysis of the primary source provided to them.
PRODUCE: Students will produce and present a Claim, Evidence and Reasoning for which techniques were utilized to produce propaganda during the Revolutionary War.
American Revolution Propaganda Source Set, Library of Congress
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