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Teacher Resource Packet

The Political Capital: Philadelphia and the Birth of American Government

Philadelphia, PA

Grades 5-8·2 class periods

Students explore Philadelphia's role as the political center of the Revolution, examining how Independence Hall, Carpenters' Hall, and City Tavern functioned as interconnected spaces where the founding generation debated, negotiated, and enacted independence.

This Packet Includes

  • Learning Objectives & Essential Questions
  • 5 Primary Source Analysis Worksheets
  • 3 Reading & Activity Handouts
  • Assessment Quiz (5 questions)
  • Answer Key
Unit:The Political Capital: Philadelphia and the Birth of American Government — Lesson Overview
History is for Everyone
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Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Identify the sequence of key political events in Philadelphia from 1774 to 1787
  2. Explain why Philadelphia was chosen as the meeting site for the Continental Congresses
  3. Analyze how informal spaces (taverns) and formal spaces (State House) worked together in the political process
  4. Evaluate the significance of the First Continental Congress meeting at Carpenters' Hall rather than the State House

Essential Questions

Keep these questions in mind as you work through this packet:

  • Why does location matter in politics? How did Philadelphia's geography, population, and institutions make it the center of the Revolution?
  • What is the difference between formal and informal political spaces? What happened at City Tavern that could not happen in Independence Hall?
Unit:The Political Capital: Philadelphia and the Birth of American Government — Primary Source Analysis
History is for Everyone
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Primary Source 1 of 5
Document Information
DocumentDeclaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
SourceNational Archives and Records Administration
TypePRIMARY
Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

Analysis Questions

Read the document carefully, then answer each question in complete sentences.

  1. Who created this source and why?

  2. When was this source created?

  3. What perspective does this source represent?

  4. What was happening when this was written?

  5. How might the author's position affect their account?

Reflection

How does this source connect to what happened in Philadelphia, PA? What does it tell you about the people involved?

Unit:The Political Capital: Philadelphia and the Birth of American Government — Primary Source Analysis
History is for Everyone
Name: Date: Period:
Primary Source 2 of 5
Document Information
DocumentJournals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789
SourceLibrary of Congress
TypePRIMARY
Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789

Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789

Analysis Questions

Read the document carefully, then answer each question in complete sentences.

  1. Who created this source and why?

  2. When was this source created?

  3. What perspective does this source represent?

  4. What was happening when this was written?

  5. How might the author's position affect their account?

Reflection

How does this source connect to what happened in Philadelphia, PA? What does it tell you about the people involved?

Unit:The Political Capital: Philadelphia and the Birth of American Government — Primary Source Analysis
History is for Everyone
Name: Date: Period:
Primary Source 3 of 5
Document Information
DocumentLetters of Delegates to Congress, 1774-1789 (26 vols.)
SourceLibrary of Congress (Paul H. Smith, ed.)
TypePRIMARY
Letters of Delegates to Congress, 1774-1789 (26 vols.)

Letters of Delegates to Congress, 1774-1789 (26 vols.)

Analysis Questions

Read the document carefully, then answer each question in complete sentences.

  1. Who created this source and why?

  2. When was this source created?

  3. What perspective does this source represent?

  4. What was happening when this was written?

  5. How might the author's position affect their account?

Reflection

How does this source connect to what happened in Philadelphia, PA? What does it tell you about the people involved?

Unit:The Political Capital: Philadelphia and the Birth of American Government — Primary Source Analysis
History is for Everyone
Name: Date: Period:
Primary Source 4 of 5
Document Information
DocumentDiary and Autobiography of John Adams, Vols. 2-3
SourceHarvard University Press (L.H. Butterfield, ed.)
TypePRIMARY

Analysis Questions

Read the document carefully, then answer each question in complete sentences.

  1. Who created this source and why?

  2. When was this source created?

  3. What perspective does this source represent?

  4. What was happening when this was written?

  5. How might the author's position affect their account?

Reflection

How does this source connect to what happened in Philadelphia, PA? What does it tell you about the people involved?

Unit:The Political Capital: Philadelphia and the Birth of American Government — Primary Source Analysis
History is for Everyone
Name: Date: Period:
Primary Source 5 of 5
Document Information
DocumentIndependence National Historical Park: Official Site
SourceNational Park Service
TypeINSTITUTIONAL
Independence National Historical Park: Official Site

Independence National Historical Park: Official Site

Analysis Questions

Read the document carefully, then answer each question in complete sentences.

  1. Who created this source and why?

  2. When was this source created?

  3. What perspective does this source represent?

  4. What is the institution's mission?

  5. How does that mission shape the presentation?

Reflection

How does this source connect to what happened in Philadelphia, PA? What does it tell you about the people involved?

Unit:The Political Capital: Philadelphia and the Birth of American Government — Philadelphia Event Timeline
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Philadelphia Event Timeline

timeline

Students place key events in chronological order and add details

# Philadelphia Revolutionary Timeline


Instructions: Place the following events in order and add one detail about each.


  • [ ] Declaration of Independence Adopted
  • [ ] Constitutional Convention
  • [ ] First Continental Congress Convenes
  • [ ] Thomas Paine Publishes "Common Sense"
  • [ ] Continental Congress Flees to York, Pennsylvania

---


| Event | Date | Significance |

|-------|------|-------------|

| | | |

| | | |

| | | |

Unit:The Political Capital: Philadelphia and the Birth of American Government — Primary Source Analysis
History is for Everyone
Name: Date: Period:

Primary Source Analysis

graphic organizer

Structured analysis of Revolutionary-era documents

# Primary Source Analysis Worksheet


## Source Information

  • Title: _________________
  • Author: _________________
  • Date: _________________
  • Type: _________________

## Observation

What do you notice? (List 3 things)

1.

2.

3.


## Reflection

What do you wonder? (List 2 questions)

1.

2.


## Analysis

What does this source tell us about Philadelphia during the Revolution?


_______________________________________________


## Perspective

Whose voice is represented? Whose might be missing?


_______________________________________________

Unit:The Political Capital: Philadelphia and the Birth of American Government — Key Figures Profile
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Name: Date: Period:

Key Figures Profile

worksheet

Research template for Revolutionary figures

# Revolutionary Figure Profile


## Basic Information

  • Name: _________________
  • Birth/Death Years: _________________
  • Occupation(s): _________________

## Role in the Revolution

### Benjamin Franklin

Philadelphia printer, scientist, and diplomat who helped draft the Declaration of Independence and secured the French alliance that proved decisive in winning the war. He was the most internationally recognized American of his era.


My questions about this person:

1.

2.


### Thomas Paine

English-born writer who arrived in Philadelphia in 1774 and published "Common Sense" in January 1776, providing the most compelling popular argument for independence. His "Crisis" papers sustained morale through the war's darkest periods.


My questions about this person:

1.

2.



## Reflection

Which figure interests you most and why?


_______________________________________________

Unit:The Political Capital: Philadelphia and the Birth of American Government — Assessment
History is for Everyone
Name: Date: Period:

Philadelphia in the American Revolution

Answer the following questions based on our study of Revolutionary history.

  1. 1.  What makes Philadelphia significant in Revolutionary history?

  2. 2.  Primary sources are documents or objects created during the time period being studied.

  3. 3.  Name one event that occurred in Philadelphia during the Revolutionary period and explain its significance.

    Answer:

  4. 4.  Why is it important to consider multiple perspectives when studying history?

  5. 5.  Describe one connection between this town and another Revolutionary-era town we discussed.

    Answer:

ANSWER KEY · TEACHER COPY · DO NOT DISTRIBUTE

Philadelphia in the American Revolution

The Political Capital: Philadelphia and the Birth of American Government — Philadelphia, PA

  1. 1.What makes Philadelphia significant in Revolutionary history?
    Answer:A

    Philadelphia played a significant role in the American Revolution as evidenced by the events we studied.

  2. 2.Primary sources are documents or objects created during the time period being studied.
    Answer:True

    Primary sources provide firsthand evidence about historical events.

  3. 3.Name one event that occurred in Philadelphia during the Revolutionary period and explain its significance.
    Answer:[Varies - accept any accurate event with reasonable explanation]

    Students should identify a specific event and connect it to broader Revolutionary themes.

  4. 4.Why is it important to consider multiple perspectives when studying history?
    Answer:A

    Multiple perspectives help us understand the full complexity of historical events.

  5. 5.Describe one connection between this town and another Revolutionary-era town we discussed.
    Answer:[Varies - accept any accurate connection]

    Students should demonstrate understanding of the interconnected nature of Revolutionary events.