Causes of the Revolution (1765-1774)

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In 1765, America's inhabitants still thought of themselves as British subjects, in addition to their colonial allegiance ("Virginians," for example). However, in little more than a decade, these same settlers would begin to organize themselves for active resistance against British rule, and start calling themselves “Americans.” This excellent program, part of a five-volume series entitled The American Revolution for Students, looks at the period leading up to the American Revolution, when various laws such as the Stamp Act (among other instances of “taxation without representation”) angered the colonists to the point of revolt. Combining interviews with historians, dramatic re-creations, archival letters, and maps, the video highlights important events (such as the Boston Tea Party), while also introducing viewers to key figures like Patrick Henry and Samuel Adams. Other titles in the series include Origins of Democracy (1688-1765), Declaring Independence (1774-1776), and The Revolutionary War (1776-1783). Highly recommended.

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Gr 5-9-Students are introduced to the events and people of the Revolutionary War era. Origins of Democracy mentions Greek and Roman democracy and the English Magna Carta and Bill of Rights, but its main focus is on the development of an independent economy and self government in the American colonies. Causes of the Revolution, Declaring Independence, and The Revolutionary War all offer general coverage of people, events, and ideas related to their respective themes. Creating a New Nation explains the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation government and details the drafting and ratification of the Constitution. All the videos include some information about the status and contributions of women and free and enslaved African Americans. They are produced in traditional documentary format, with narration by a casually dressed young man. The narrative, which is generally admiring of the American experiment in revolution and self government, is supplemented with commentary from historians and narrated quotes from period primary sources. Visuals include period paintings and illustrations, reenactment footage, and footage of actors who portray important figures such as Patrick Henry and Benjamin Franklin. These films are well made, accurate, informative, and will appeal to students. The series could be used for either introduction or review. Although the videos cover much of the same material as the Revolutionary War titles in the Shaping America: U.S. History to 1877 series (Dallas Telelearning/PBS, 2001), their vocabulary and analysis are suited to a slightly younger audience, making them a good choice for libraries serving middle level students.

Copyright 2004 School Library Journal. Used with permission.

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