Role Playing History: Patriots and Independence, part I Factions, Righteousness Points and Game Play

The American Revolution is a perfect setting for exploring how a person's wealth, job, personality, economic, political and religious affiliations represent their core beliefs and power within a social group. This power is fueled by the passion for their chosen factions.

Students are asked to think about the different factions within the American Revolution. They will be asked to consider first how the  Loyalists who wish to remain under British rule think, and then later the Neutralists. who are undecided about these important issues, and then, finally Patriots who wish to declare independence. Other aspects, such as wealth and social class, are explored. How do these factors influence how one would feel about the issues considered during the American Revolution? In addition to the factions of Patriot, Loyalist or Neutralist, the people also belong to groups within regional of New England, Middle Atlantic and the South. They also belong to rural or urban groups of people. Belonging to each of these groups of people will influence the individual's opinions and therefore actions.

Students should debate, convince others and choose what they think they would do if they lived during this turbulent time period. Have your student put themselves in the shoes of a Loyalist and write an essay on what things they would do to show that they are Loyalists? Have them write about their actions, taking in consideration how much these actions would cost them, in terms of financial, social and moral costs. Thinking as a Loyalist would, would they:
1. Petition the king to punish the rebels? 
2. See that the laws are strictly enforced?
3. Hire spied to gather intelligence? 
4. Make sure the taxes are collected?
5. Refuse to patronize a particular business?
6. Boycott certain establishments?
7. Have someone arrested?
8. Hire Bodyguards to protect your business?
9. Hire a gang of tough to rough up somebody?
10. Hire bodyguards to protect you?

Fate
To help your students further put themselves in the shoes of a Loyalist during this period, have them choose one of the following things that could have happened to them and write about what that would be like. How would a Loyalist feel? What would they think? What would they be inclined to do in response to it?
1. A mysterious fire burns your storage shed to the ground 
2. Local citizens refuse to patronize your business. 
3. Your sister, her husband and their six children leave their farm in the West because of the fear of the Indians.  They come to live with you.
4. There has been an enormous increase in crime in the area.  
5. You discover that your brother is the leader of the local Sons of Liberty. Would you turn him over to the police?
6. You have hired bodyguards who can stop any action that is taken against you. 

Prelude to Revolution.

Have your students think about an individual during this time in history. Instead of focusing on a famous person, have them think about the average citizen. Have them think about how one's wealth, job, personality, economic, political and social affiliations would affect their lives. How would where they lived (the North,  Mid-Atlantic or the South) affect their life? How would whether they lived in a Rural or Urban setting affect their life? Most of the average citizens in the beginning were Loyalists, as the Revolution has not yet, but later they had the choice of remaining Loyalists or becoming Neutralists as they become influenced somewhat by what is happening around them. Lastly, the citizens were faced with the choice of remaining a Neutralists, remain or return to being Loyalists, or become Patriots.  What factors would influence this choice?

Writing Assignment
Write a list of arguments for how you think one would feel just prior to the revolution and what things they might believe in. This will be useful for preparing arguments for the Congressional debates that are to come.

Hands-on Project
Since much of the Revolutionary spirit began in taverns, they were important places. Your assignment is to create a tavern that could be included in future writing assignments. You will need to include it's name, affiliations and any other details you would like. Create a visual sign for it.

Reading Assignment
Read George Washington's World, Genevieve Foster, part I When George Washington was a Boy

Read Kingfisher History Encyclopedia, pgs 292-295

Sources:
  • Patriots, A Simulation and Resource Notebook on the American Revolution, Bill Lacey and Terry Handy, Interaction Publishers 
  • Independence, A Simulation of the American Revolution, 1763-1776, Charles Kennedy and Paul DeKock, Interaction Publishers, Inc.

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