Lesson Plan

How Did the Public View Women’s Contributions to the Revolutionary War Effort?

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Calling upon the legacies of Joan of Arc, Elizabeth I, and Catherine the Great, Esther Reed rallied Southern women to support the American Revolution. Using a broadside by Reed and other primary sources, such as poetry, young historians examine the role women played in the war effort. After their examination of the documents in pairs, they form teams to debate whether women contributed significantly to the cause.

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CCSS: Adaptable
Instructional Ideas
  • Use the lesson as an in-depth analysis of women in the Revolutionary War effort
  • Extend the lesson by finding additional primary sources about other roles women played in the war
Classroom Considerations
  • Activity requires background knowledge of the Revolutionary War
Pros
  • Uses a primary source that would be unfamiliar to many students
  • Includes well-scaffolded analysis worksheets
Cons
  • None