United States History Student Edition

Making Connections to Today

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Writing a Persuasive Essay

During the struggle for independence, leadership took many forms. George Washington was a military leader. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense , which influenced the thinking of many. All contributed significantly to the eventual victory and independence of the United States. ACTIVITY Writing a Persuasive Essay Review what you have learned in the topic about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Paine. Think about the way they showed leadership. Then write a short persuasive essay in which you answer the following question: Who did the most to promote the cause of independence: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, or Thomas Paine? Support your thinking with evidence and details from the topic.

The American colonists used boycotts to protest British policies they believed were unfair. Boycotts are still used today to protest laws or policies that citizens find unjust. They are also used to initiate laws or policies that would benefit society. In recent years, boycotts have occurred over poor wages, poor business practices, environmental concerns, and many other issues. ACTIVITY Creating a Multimedia Presentation With a partner or in a small group, conduct online research about a recent boycott. Then create a multimedia presentation to share your findings. Include information about what the issue was and what the boycott involved, and then evaluate the effectiveness of the boycott. Include text, audio, video, and images as part of your presentation, and then share it with the class.

» Thomas Jefferson presents the Declaration of Independence to the Continental Congress.

Ian Dagnall/Alamy Stock Photo

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