Introduction

Enduring Knowledge: Events surrounding the American Revolution molded our efforts to build our unique democracy.

Analyze the three panels from the mural found in the United States Capitol.

  • What is being depicted in the image on the left?
  • What is being depicted in the image on the right?
  • How can these panels be connected to the middle panel and to the relationship between the American Colonists and the British before the American Revolution?
  • The writing below the images reads, "Our Government conceived in freedom and purchased with blood." How do these words relate to the images of American Colonists before the American Revolution?

Click the marker 1, 2, 3 to learn more about the events surrounding the First Continental Congress.

Open First Continental Congress in a new tab | First Continental Congress text version

This 1974 Allyn Cox mural, The First Continental Congress, 1774, depicts an oration by Patrick Henry in Carpenters' Hall. (Architect of the Capitol).


Lesson Objectives

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to:

  • identify the events that led to the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence.
  • summarize the significance of the First and Second Continental Congresses on the creation of American democracy.
  • explain how the Declaration of Independence was significant to the writing and ratification of the Constitution of the United States of 1787 and the Bill of Rights of 1791.

The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: Government objective(s): 2.

This lesson incorporates the following Literacy Standards: R2, R3, R4, R5, R7, W1, W4, and W9.

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