Teacher Resources
New York City
Students examine New York City's transformation from British-occupied city to the first capital of the United States, exploring Evacuation Day 1783, Washington's farewell, and the inauguration of 1789. They analyze how a city can shift political identity in the space of a few years and what that transition required of ordinary New Yorkers.
Grade Range
6-8
Duration
2 class periods
Included
3 Resources
What's Included
Everything
You Need
- 5 primary sources with analysis prompts
- Quiz with answer key (5 questions)
- 3 printable handouts
Lesson Overview
Students examine New York City's transformation from British-occupied city to the first capital of the United States, exploring Evacuation Day 1783, Washington's farewell, and the inauguration of 1789. They analyze how a city can shift political identity in the space of a few years and what that transition required of ordinary New Yorkers.
Essential Questions
- How does a city rebuild its identity after years of military occupation? What evidence do we have of how New Yorkers experienced the British withdrawal?
- What did Washington's inauguration at Federal Hall mean to Americans who had just emerged from an eight-year war?
Primary Sources
5 Sources for Analysis
PRIMARY · TIER1
Hessian Officers' Reports on the New York Campaign, 1776
Staatsarchiv Marburg (German State Archives)
PRIMARY · TIER1
The Papers of George Washington: Revolutionary War Series, Vol. 6
University of Virginia Press
PRIMARY · TIER1
Sir Henry Clinton Papers (British Headquarters Papers)
William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan
View SourcePRIMARY · TIER1
The British Prison-Ship: A Poem (Philip Freneau)
Philip Freneau (self-published)
Lesson Plan
In the Classroom
Learning Objectives
- 1Describe the sequence of events from British evacuation on November 25, 1783 to Washington's farewell to his officers
- 2Explain why New York City was chosen as the first national capital and what that choice signified
- 3Analyze Washington's 1789 inaugural address as a primary source, identifying key themes of republican governance
- 4Connect the physical sites of lower Manhattan — Fraunces Tavern, Federal Hall, St. Paul's Chapel — to the events they witnessed
Assessment
New York City in the American Revolution
Answer the following questions based on our study of Revolutionary history.
What makes New York City significant in Revolutionary history?
multiple choice
Primary sources are documents or objects created during the time period being studied.
true false
Name one event that occurred in New York City during the Revolutionary period and explain its significance.
short answer
+ 2 more questions in the full packet
Ready to Print?
The full teacher packet includes cover page, lesson plan, all primary source worksheets, quiz, answer key, and standards alignment — formatted for classroom printing.