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7th grade · Social Studies · Unit 3 of 18

The American Revolution

Independence and the war

What your child practices

The Declaration of Independence and its ideals, key battles from Lexington to Yorktown, help from France and others, and the people of many backgrounds who shaped the war.

New York State Learning Standards learning standard: 7.3c; 7.3d · the Declaration of Independence and the battles, allies and people that decided the American Revolution

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. Fighting began at Lexington and Concord in 1775. Thomas Jefferson was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence (1776).
  2. The Declaration names unalienable rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
  3. France became an ally, thanks partly to Benjamin Franklin. Britain surrendered at Yorktown (1781); the Treaty of Paris (1783) ended the war.

Example: Which agreement in 1783 officially ended the war? Fighting ended at Yorktown in 1781. The peace treaty was signed in Paris two years later. Answer: the Treaty of Paris

The American Revolution in New York

In the New York State Learning Standards, this is unit 3 of 18 in 7th grade Social Studies, after Road to Revolution and before Building a Government.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: New York State Education Department (NYSED)

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Why could the Continental Army win against a stronger British army?

    • Help from France, knowledge of the land and fighting for their homes
    • The war lasted one day
    • The British had no soldiers
    • The British agreed to lose

  2. Question 2

    According to the Declaration, governments get their power from…

    • The king alone
    • The consent of the governed
    • The army
    • Other countries

  3. Question 3

    Who was chosen to lead the Continental Army?

    • George Washington
    • Thomas Jefferson
    • Benjamin Franklin
    • King George III

  4. Question 4

    Britain promised freedom to enslaved people who…

    • Stayed on plantations
    • Escaped and joined the British side
    • Moved to France
    • Paid a tax

  5. Question 5

    Put in order: Boston Tea Party, Declaration of Independence, Battle of Yorktown. Which came first?

    • They all happened the same year
    • Declaration of Independence
    • Battle of Yorktown
    • Boston Tea Party

  6. Question 6

    Bernardo de Gálvez helped the Americans by…

    • Writing the Declaration
    • Ruling Virginia
    • Leading the Boston Tea Party
    • Leading Spanish forces against the British in the South

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