CONTEXT 

The Revolutionary War did not occur in a vacuum between Great Britain and the American Revolutionaries, but instead as a part of a larger international world. Before the war’s end, several Native American nations would involve themselves as allies to the British or American Revolutionaries, German “Hessian” soldiers would be contracted to fight for the British, the French would become official allies of the Revolutionaries, and Spain and the Netherlands would also fight against the British. Even the Declaration of Independence proclaimed to “a candid world” their causes for separation in hopes of gaining recognition by established nations.  

AIMS/OBJECTIVES 

Students will be able to:  

• Explore the impact of other countries on the Revolutionary War and vice versa.  

• Practice critical thinking through evidence and reasoning.   

MATERIALS 

• Interactive: Timeline of the American Revolution

• Revolution Around the World article series

• Virtual Tour: Museum of the American Revolution 

• Video: How To Use | Timeline of the American Revolution

• Worksheet: Beyond the Empire  

PROCEDURES 

Note: Ensure students have access to computers, tablets, or other devices with a working internet connection to access the Timeline of the American Revolution. 

Note that this Timeline of the American Revolution, like the Museum’s collection, includes a variety of 18th century weapons, including firearms. These objects can invite comparisons to and/or discussions of contemporary issues. Please use your discretion and understanding of your students and community when introducing and using this resource with your students. 

• First, introduce students to the question: Was the Revolutionary War an international war? Allow them to give their initial thoughts and reasoning. Then, introduce the students to the digital Timeline, filter feature, and My Timeline feature using the video: How to Use | Timeline of the American Revolution. 

• Next, have students browse the Timeline of the American Revolution using the filter Beyond the British Empire. Have them find five objects and place them on the timeline using the Add to My Timeline feature. Engage students in a conversation around the following questions: 

  • What nations does this object have connections to? What are those connections? 

  • Does this object serve as evidence that the Revolutionary War was an international war? Why or why not? 

• Then, assign or have students choose one of the countries from the Revolution Around the World article series. Have them complete the worksheet with the information they find in their article. Note: Ukraine focuses on the influence of the American Revolution rather than the war itself. Go through each country and allow students to share what they learned.  

  • Teacher Note: In the worksheet, you may choose to have the students summarize the answers to the questions in their own words or list the answers as bullets.  

• Finally, allow students to explore the map on the Museum’s virtual tour. (See below for how to navigate to this map.) Have students reconsider the question: Was the Revolutionary War an international war? Did anyone change their opinion? Why or why not?  

  • Virtual Tour Navigation: The world map can be found by choosing “Revolutionary War” in the menu in the upper left-hand corner and navigate, navigate to the “War at Sea” gallery in the drop-down menu. The world map is located on the wall behind the initial view in a display labeled “Shots Heard Around the World” and “A World War.” Use your mouse to turn 180 degrees left or right to see it. 

This activity is excerpted from Part 2 of the Timeline of the American Revolution Teacher Resource Guide. To see the full lesson and all supporting materials visit: http://www.amrevmuseum.org/teacher-resource-guides