Summary of Year II History Content: Forging Freedom,
1775-1787
- Examine how the southern colonies answered the call of New England.
- Discuss Richard Henry Lee and the resolution on independence.
- Examine the first Continental Congress’ attempt to preserve freedom and the second Continental Congress’ discussion of the question of independence.
- Investigate the failures of 1776 and the retreat from New York in 1777.
- Discuss the survival and transformation of Washington’s troops at Valley Forge and the defining moment of early American history that it represented—the “forging” of an American consciousness.
- Examine the final campaign and General Cornwallis’ perception of “a world turned upside down.”
- Consider the roles of Native American allies and African-American patriots in the American victory.
- Discuss the call for reform and the views of Alexander Hamilton and James Madison and the creation: Federalists and Antifederalists and the ratification of the Constitution.
Featured documents: Patrick Henry’s speech, Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death? Declaration of Independence (two versions): Jefferson’s draft Declaration and the compromise Declaration; The Bill of Rights.
