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Eric and Rob sit down with Dr. Denver Brunsman to discuss teaching the American Revolution.  Denver is the History Department Chair at George Washington University and he has published and edited numerous books on the time period including the award winning, The Evil Necessity:  British Naval Impressment in the 18th-Century Atlantic World.  Denver begins by urging teachers to challenge the notion that the American Revolution was inevitable.  He notes that at the beginning of the imperial crisis, American colonists primarily identified themselves as British subjects.  While earlier events in colonial history provide a backdrop to this conflict, he suggests that teachers begin the story of the American Revolution with the end of the Seven Years War and study the conflict through three distinct crises caused by the Stamp Act, the Townshend Acts, and the Tea Act.  He also explains that while taxation was important, the concept of sovereignty and the colonists' notion that they were preserving the British tradition of liberty against tyranny and power was central to the crisis.  He argues that the decision to separate from England was contingent on many different factors and that the armed conflict that began in 1775 was a breaking point, convincing many Americans that the king no longer protected their liberty.  The conflict also shaped the development of an American identity that became distinct from their previous identification as British subjects. 

Lesson Plans and resources:

Was the American Revolution Inevitable lesson can be downloaded at https://bit.ly/4kBaJyO

The Knowles Press Gang Riot lesson and the Revolutionary Debate lesson can  be downloaded at https://bit.ly/4aU0EJW

Credits

Opening theme music, “Bossa Bossa,” created by Clare Howard www.clarehoward.com  Music supported by the National Council for History Education www.ncheteach.org

Transition theme music, “The Clock is Ticking,” created by Emily Hahn.

Logo artwork created by Jessica Goldman.

Shit I Have to Teach in 20 Minutes is produced by Eric Hahn and Rob Good.  Audio and video editing by Sebastian Rosales.

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