Investigation Declaration
Trace the movement of Enlightenment ideas around the Atlantic World to explore its impact on the Declaration of Independence and other peoples, events, and movements across time.
Historical Period
The American Revolution and A New Nationcontributing partners
About
In this interactive investigation, students work to undo the activities of Baddies Against Rights & Freedom (BARF), an international crime ring that has destroyed important files about democracy, freedom, and rights. Working as Special Agent 6, students collect key details related to three Enlightenment ideas that shaped the Declaration of Independence: natural rights, state sovereignty, and the social contract. Students use this information to identify relationships and restore connections between people, ideas, and events across four continents. The interactive offers two paths for each of the three Enlightenment ideas (six paths total); students have the flexibility to complete one or all of the paths.
Your students may be ready for this interactive if they understand:
-the causes, events, and effects of the American Revolution
-the basic ideas and influences of the Declaration of Independence
-the causes and influences of the institution of slavery
After completing the interactive, students will gain an understanding of how the Enlightenment ideas that helped shape the Declaration of Independence are connected to other movements, as well as how they spread from one place to another.
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Investigation Declaration
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Guiding Questions
Designed to launch the interactive experience and boost comprehension and retention after it is over, use these questions to help solidify student understanding and hone in on key ideas from the interactive.
Prepare
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1
How do ideas and information spread today? How might this be similar to or different from the past?
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2
During this investigation, you will explore events related to the Declaration of Independence (1776) that occurred across four continents over about 80 years (1765–1848). What might this tell you about this document?
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3
What social studies skills might be helpful when completing this investigation? What makes you say that?
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4
What are some questions you expect or hope will be answered during the investigation?
debrief
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5
What was your role in the investigation? What were your responsibilities in this role?
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6
What events, places, and dates did you explore during the investigation?
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7
What new information did you learn about the Declaration of Independence?
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8
Now that you have played the game, what three important concepts were shaped by the Enlightenment? How would you define each of them?
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9
What were some of the paths you explored during the investigation? What do these paths help you notice about the movement of ideas?
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10
Were there parts of the investigation that you found easy or difficult? What makes you say that?
connect
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11
How did this investigation better help you understand the historic significance of the Enlightenment?
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12
What might this investigation suggest about historical inquiry, or the process of asking and answering questions about the past? What details from the investigation support your response?
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13
This investigation explores periods in history referred to as the “Age of Enlightenment” and the “Age of Revolution.” What might be some reasons for these names?
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14
Information and ideas move much more quickly today than in the past. What are some ways ideas spread around the world today? What might be some effects of how quickly ideas and information travel?
Vocabulary
Use these related vocabulary terms to build students’ understanding and support more meaningful discussions and learning outcomes in your classroom.
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Materials
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Teacher Guide
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