Revolutions & the Modern AgeLentWeek 26 of 32

The American Revolution: Liberty and Its Cost

Essential Question

How did thirteen colonies declare and win their independence — and on what principles?

This week tells how thirteen British colonies declared and won their independence, and on what principles. We follow the road from taxation disputes to Lexington and Concord, to the Declaration of Independence (1776), through the war to Saratoga and Yorktown, anchored by the steady leadership of George Washington. Because Holy Week and Easter fall near here, the week meditates on sacrifice and self-giving — the cost of liberty mirrored in, and infinitely surpassed by, the cost of our redemption.

Liturgical note: HOLY WEEK and EASTER fall near this week — the Church walks with Christ from the Last Supper to the Cross to the empty tomb. The theme of sacrifice unto new life frames the whole week. If your homeschool pauses for the Triduum, treat these four days flexibly around the liturgies.

Threads at a Glance

What Each Thread Covers This Week

World History

The age of Atlantic revolutions begins; Britain's global empire and the crisis with its colonies.

US History

A nation of immigrants: Ellis Island, cities, and reform

Historical Figure

George Washington.

Geography

The Revolutionary War; the 13 states and key sites — Boston, Saratoga, Yorktown.

Art History

Revolutionary-era American art — John Trumbull's history paintings, Gilbert Stuart's Washington, John Singleton Copley.

Music History

Music of the Revolution — fifes and drums, 'Yankee Doodle'; and the late Classical era of Mozart.

Saint

St. Junípero Serra — founding the California missions (1769).

Virtue

Sacrifice and self-giving — Holy Week; the cost of liberty.

Catechism

YOUCAT — Marian prayer and the Rosary; the Hail Mary (Q481-Q484, Q511).

Grammar

Parallelism and balanced structure (the rhetoric of the Declaration).

Writing

Rhetorical analysis — how the Declaration of Independence persuades.

Weekly Writing Assignment

How the Declaration of Independence Persuades

The Declaration of Independence is one of history's most persuasive documents. In a 5-paragraph essay, analyze HOW it persuades. Examine at least three techniques: its logical structure (principle → evidence → conclusion), its use of parallelism and balanced phrasing, and its appeals to reason, justice, or shared values. Quote at least three short phrases and explain why each is effective. Conclude with your judgment: does the argument hold up?

Skill: Rhetorical analysis — identifying and explaining persuasive techniques (parallelism, appeals, structure of argument) in a real political text.Length: 500-650 words

Show rubric ▾

States a clear thesis about how the Declaration persuades.
Identifies and explains at least three distinct rhetorical techniques.
Quotes at least three short phrases accurately and analyzes (not just summarizes) each.
Follows a clear five-paragraph structure with an introduction and conclusion.
Demonstrates correct grammar, especially parallel structure in the student's own sentences.

The Week