Who is who?
"Who is who" projects are meant as a different approach to key events and processes in History by focusing on their leaders and setting a challenge to students. They must work in teams performing a detective’s task to find out who the people are through their portraits, the clues provided about their achievements and their famous quotes to complete. But matching quotes and clues to characters is only the first task , then they have to go deeper into the matter, to explain the meaning and purpose of the quotes as well as writing a short biography of each character. By doing this the students should find the “intruder”, that is to say the person who is not related to the others and justify their choice.
The Who is who in the American Revolution? also required that the students establish the relations among the people involved and also their links to the objects in the background, to have a complete vision of the subject: the main events and symbols of the American revolution and the Founding Fathers of the US. The final product is a collective paper, with the sources of information referenced in a proper way.
It is an example of collaborative work and gamification to learn History contents and develop a scientific method while building writing skills.
Dr. Mónica Lanero
SAMPLES:
THE SIX OBJECTS IN THE BACKGROUND:
American founding father Benjamin Franklin in 1754, published a cartoon, “Join or Die,” depicting a snake severed into pieces that symbolized the American colonies.
By Carla Sánchez Marcos
During his lifetime, George Washington had nine different dentists. Only a dentist could make a denture that was comfortable for him. He was his favorite dentist, his name was John Greenwood and he would make him four sets of teeth carved from hippopotamus and elephant ivory.
By Carla Sánchez Marcos
The pattern of the Betsy Ross flag is 13 alternating stripes--7 red, 6 white--with stars in a field of blue in the upper left corner (canton). The most likely source of his design is the 1882 edition of History of the Flag of the United States of America by George Henry Preble, a flag scholar in the late 1800s.
By Carla Sánchez Marcos
In the Declaration of Independence signed on July 4, 1776, it was explained that "all men are equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
By Carla Sánchez Marcos
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CHARACTERS
- What 3 and 4 had in common was that they were married. This was the relationship between them. Roberto
- What picture 4, 5 and 6 have in common is that they are all portraits of people related to the writing of the Declaration of Independence in the US. Thomas Jefferson drafted it, while Adams and Franklin made some changes afterwards. Irene
- The pictures 4, 6, 7, and 8 have in common that they were all founding fathers of theU. S., a group of political leaders that structured the democratic government of theUnited States and left a legacy that has shaped the world. Marta
- What numbers 4,6,7,8 and 9 had in common is that they were all presidents of the USA at some point. John Adams was the second president, Thomas Jefferson was the third, George Washington was the first, James Madison was the fourth and Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth. Diana
Picture 1: King George III.
- Sentences:
He was in office when the Parliament passed the Stamp Act and the Tea Act.He was the third of that name. Since He became insane later on, he is oftenreferred to as “Mad George”. → King George III, as his name says, is the third ofhis name. And he is commonly known for being “Mad George” for getting mad as helost the American colonies. Roberto
- Quotes:
The colonies must either submit or triumph…. we must not retreat. → It was a sentence written by King George to his prime minister Lord North avoiding completely a petition of Philadelphia Quakers. (Type of sect/religion). Roberto
- Definition: King George was the first Hanoverian monarch and the first one to be born in England moreover to use English as his first language. He is mainly known for losing the American colonies and getting mad for it. Roberto
Picture 2: Thomas Paine.
- Sentences:
He had a strong “Common Sense”. In spite of being born English, he was oneof the most influential thinkers in the Independence of the USA. Later on he took part in the French Revolution as well. → Paine was most famous for his pamphlet “Common Sense” that clearly stated the reasons for the independence of the colonies. Besides, he participated in the French Revolution and in 1791, he wrote “Rights of Man”, which became an immediate sensation. Diana
- Quotes:
Everything that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. → It was written in “Common Sense”, Thomas Paine’s pamphlet, and its goal was to make clear that the reasons for independence from Britain were compelling as to persuade the colonists to fight for it. Diana
- Definition: Thomas Paine was an eighteenth century British philosopher and writer who greatly influenced the American Revolution through “Common Sense”, a pamphlet published in 1776 that argued that the cause of America should not only be a revolt against taxation but also a demand for independence. Diana
Picture 3: Abigail Adams.
- Sentences:
She was her husband's best friend and first adviser. Nevertheless, she wrote“Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could”. Her son became president too. → She wanted husbands to “remember the ladies”, acknowledging the fact that some men had too much power. Irene
- Quotes:
Arbitrary power is like most other things which are very hard, it is very liable to be broken → She wrote this in a letter to her husband John Adams the 7th of May,1776. They wrote letters to each other while John was working as a lawyer and she tended to the vast duties of her household in 18th century America with their five children. Marta
- Definition: Abigail Adams was the wife and closest advisor of John Adams. She was the second first lady of the United States and sometimes considered to have been aFounder of the United States. Marta
Picture 4: John Adams.
- Sentences:
He was Thomas Jefferson’s close friend, but later on they grew apart, as they became political opponents. Surprisingly enough, both died the same day, on 4th July 1826: the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. His son became president, too. → Jefferson and Adams didn’t get along very well, due to
their different political ideas. John Adams’ son, John Quincy, became the 6thpresident of the US later. Irene
- Quotes:
Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom. →This quote was written by John Adams in his book “A Defence of the Constitutions of Government” (1787). Irene
- Definition: He was a writer, a statesman, a diplomat and a leader of the American Revolution, who later became the second president and first vice president of the US. He was also considered a main figure in the Continental Congress, and his signature appears on the Treaty of Paris (1783), among others. Irene
Picture 5: Benjamin Franklin.
- Sentences:
When he was young he wrote articles in his brother's newspaper as if he were a widow named Silence Dogood and soon his proverbs became famous. → The newspaper was called the New-English Courant. He chose this name in order to be accepted, as his articles under his own name had been denied. Irene
He was a politician and a prominent 18th century scientist and inventor. A kite helped him to learn about electricity, he also invented bifocals. Though he never became president, he is often referred to as “The First American”. → He contributed a lot to electricity science, carrying out multiple experiments, such as the kite one. Irene
- Quotes:
Join or die → It was a political cartoon commentary posted in the newspaper Gazette during the Seven Years’ War to encourage the former colonies to unite for the cause of independence. Roberto
We must all hang together or most assuredly we shall all hang separately →This statement was made by Benjamin Franklin at the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Roberto
Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise → He wrote this sentence in Poor Richard’s Almanack, an annual journal published by him under the pseudonym of Poor Richard between 1732 and 1758. Marta
- Definition: Benjamin Franklin was one of the most important people dealing with the founding fathers, he also helped draft the Declaration of Independence and was one of its signers. Roberto
Picture 6: Thomas Jefferson.
- Sentences:
He was a prominent scholar from Virginia, where he wrote the first Declaration of Rights. He was strongly against slavery, but he had to write again the draft of another Declaration in order to get the agreement of Southern States delegates. → Thomas Jefferson with Marquis de Lafayette wrote the first declaration of rights of men and the citizens. Thomas Jefferson studied in the university of Willian and Mary located near Gordonsville, Virginia. Roberto
- Quotes:
All men are created equal. → It was written in the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America in order to state that all American colonists as a whole had the right to self-government, just like any other nation. Diana
That among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. → This statement belongs to the “Declaration of Liberty”, first drafted by Thomas Jefferson. Irene
- Definition: He was an American philosopher, architect, politician and inventor in the 18th and 19th centuries. After representing Virginia, his natal state, in the Continental Congress, he became the 3rd US president. He drafted the Declaration of Independence, and is considered one of the “Founding Fathers”. Irene
Picture 7: George Washington.
- Sentences:
He crossed the icy Delaware River and spent a terrible winter at Valley Forge. He is always depicted with his mouth closed: at Mount Vernon Museum you can find out why. → It is said that George Washington had several dental problems, and he didn’t smile when being portrayed. Irene
Despite becoming president, He and Martha never lived in the White House. →As the White House wasn’t completely built until 1800, he was not able to live in it, because he stopped being the US president in 1797. Irene
He gave the shortest address ever in American history. It took him only three minutes to move his countrymen to keep on fighting a bloody war. → He gave the shortest address ever in Philadelphia, in 1793. Irene
- Quotes:
Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth. → This sentence belongs to a letter George Washington sent to James Madison (a politician and the 4th president of the US), in March 1788, regarding his worriment about the financial help France supposed to the US. He thought that, despite the benefits it provided to his country, it could provoke revolutions in France, “litting up a flame that wouldn’t blow out easily”. Irene
- Definition: George Washington was considered the American “Father of the Nation” for his manifold leadership in the formative days of the country. He was the first president of the United States serving from 1789 to 1797 and also one of the Founding Fathers of America. He led the Continental Army to victory in the American War of independence and presided at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 which
established the Constitution of the United States and a federal government. Marta
Picture 8: James Madison
- Sentences:
He is known as the father of the Constitution, and he drafted the Bill of Rights, too. In spite of being a great politician, He was the shortest president ever. Together with Thomas Jefferson, he founded one of the two major parties in the US. → He is known as the “father of the Constitution” because he started talking about separation of powers and its importance. With Jefferson, he founded the Democratic-Republican Party. Irene
- Quotes:
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty. → Madison wrote this in a letter. What he wanted to express is the importance of knowledge back in the time, and how people should be cultivated in order to develop their ideas and achieve freedom. Irene
- Definition: James Madison was a politician and philosopher in the 19th century who became the fourth president of the United States, succeeding Thomas Jefferson. He was one of the “Founding Fathers”, and a member of the Continental Congress. In addition to this, he also drafted the Virginia Plan, a document in which he suggested creating a national government with three branches, which worked as a basis for the different decisions made in the Constitutional Convention, therefore, for establishing the Constitution. Irene
Picture 9: Abraham Lincoln.
- Sentences:
He was a very tall and self-made man from Kentucky. A war began when he was elected President of the US. → This war was the American Civil War, which dominated his presidency. Marta
- Quotes:
(…)that government of the people, by the people for the people shall not perish from the earth → He said this quote on the Gettysburg Address, a speech he delivered during the American Civil War at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery four and a half months after the Union of armies defeated those of the Confederacy at the Battle of Gettysburg (1863). Marta
- Definition: He was an American lawyer and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. He is one of the most admired figures in American history for his honesty, his convictions and the depth of his thoughts. He led the nation through the American Civil War and succeeded in preserving the Union, bolstering the federal government and most importantly modernizing the U.S. economy and abolishing slavery. Marta
- He’s the intruder, because he doesn’t belong to the American Revolution but lived after it.Marta
Picture 10: Patrick Henry.
- Sentences:
He was an American attorney, planter and politician from Virginia, who became a famous orator in the 1770s. His speech in 1775 moved the colony to join the war for independence. Later on, he became governor of the State of Virginia. →Patrick Henry was known for his speeches, and in 1775, he gave one during the Second Virginia Convention, which he ended with the quote “Give me liberty or give me death”. In addition, he was the first governor of Virginia. Diana
- Quotes:
Give me liberty, or give me death! → It was the last sentence of a speech given during the Second Virginia Convention in March, 1775, whose aim was to convince the government that the war with Britain was inevitable. Diana
- Definition: Patrick Henry was an eighteenth century lawyer and politician from Virginia, as well as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, who was known for his persuasive and passionate speeches. In 1775, he famously declared “Give me liberty or give me death” which fired up America’s fight for independence. Furthermore, the Bill of Rights was created thanks to his influence. Diana
Picture 11:The Battle of Bunker Hill.
- Sentences:
It is not clear who said this famous sentence, as it was a common one when colonists were short of ammunition, but it is generally agreed that it was first said at this famous battle. Which battle? → Even though it is not clear who said this sentence, it is said that it was an order given by Colonel Prescott to the colonial militiamen. This famous battle is none other than the Battle of Bunker Hill. Diana
- Quotes:
Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes! → It is said that Colonel Prescott gave this order to the colonial militiamen in an attempt to preserve their limited supply of ammunition. It meant that they weren’t allowed to fire until the British were very close to them. Diana
- Definition: The Battle of Bunker Hill was the first major battle of the American Revolution that took place on June 17th, 1775. Under the command of Generals Howe and Pigot, British forces marched to Breed’s Hill where colonial militiamen had already built fortifications. As a result of this battle, hundreds of people on both sides were either killed or injured. Moreover, as the British had won the battle, Breed’s Hill and the Charlestown Peninsula fell under their control. Diana
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