TOWN MEETING 1776: Patriots vs. Loyalists

To Declare Independence or Not to Declare Independence?

The Setup: In this activity, you will assume the role of a historical figure to re-create a 1776 Town Meeting to determine whether the colonies should declare independence from England. You will be assigned a real figure from the era and must represent the person’s beliefs about independence during the debate. At the town meeting you will represent the Loyalist or Patriot perspective, or you will be neutral. Both the Loyalists and the Patriots will be presenting arguments in favor or in opposition to independence attempting to convince neutral members to join their cause. All participants will produce a nametag with your person’s name and a quote or a slogan representing your characters beliefs.

Loyalists and Patriots: You will research your characters and prepare arguments to use during the town meeting, and create propaganda supporting your cause. Neutral characters also need to research their character and should be familiar with arguments from both sides. You are also highly encouraged to use props or dress up for your role.

Neutral characters: You must write five original questions to ask either the Loyalist or Patriot side during the town meeting. You will each be required to ask a minimum of two questions during the activity. In addition Neutral Characters will create a 1-page minimum write-up after the meeting explaining why you joined either side or decided to remain neutral and who had the strongest arguments.

The Town Meeting:Loyalists will sit together on one side of the room and Patriots will sit on the opposite side the Neutrals will sit in the back of the class in between them. Patriots and Loyalists will take turns making their arguments or making a rebuttal to the opposition’s argument. The first time a person speaks they should briefly introduce themselves, state their quote or slogan, and show their propaganda. There is no set order, so when a student is ready to make their argument they must simply stand and make their point. Everyone is expected to make a minimum of one argument or rebuttal during the debate, but more is recommended. If a student has spoken multiple times try to let other students speak so everyone has the chance to participate. Neutrals can ask questions at any point during the debate and can address them to a side or to an individual. At any stage during the debate I may call a “gag rule” where only those students who have yet to speak are allowed to participate. The debate will conclude with about 5 minutes left in class and then Neutrals will decide which side was more convincing by getting up and joining either the Patriots or the Loyalists or they may opt to remain neutral if they we not convinced.

NEUTRAL
L
O
Y
A
L
I
S
T
S Front of Class

The Evaluation: Loyalists and Patriots will be evaluated on the basis of the quality and persuasiveness of their arguments, their propaganda, and nametag. Neutrals will be evaluated on the basis of the quality of their questions, their nametag, and their post-debate write-up.

Name Tag: You must create a nametag with your side, and a quote (try to find an actual quote from your character) or clear slogan and the nametag should be either affixed to your clothing in an easily identifiable way or folded on your desk in a way that is clearly visible. This should be neatly done either in marker or on the computer (not in pencil or on lined pieces of notebook paper).

Patrick Henry
Patriot
“Give me liberty or give me death!”

Propaganda: You create your own propaganda piece in support of your beliefs. This should be 8 ½ x 11 sized (or bigger) and can either be original artwork or creative combinations of images and original slogans that you create and piece together. Please do not simple find one image, copy, and print it out. Be creative.