Whiskey Rebellion Lesson Plan for 8th Grade Example Students

Topic: Understanding the Whiskey Rebellion

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will understand the events leading up to the Whiskey Rebellion and its impact on early America.

Materials

• Map of Pennsylvania and Maryland
• Handouts with information on the Whiskey Tax and its enforcement
• Sample documents from the Whiskey Rebellion

Warm-up

• Ask students if they have heard of the Whiskey Rebellion.
• Allow them to share their knowledge and ask any questions they may have.

Direct Instruction

• Begin by explaining that the Whiskey Rebellion was a tax revolt that took place in western Pennsylvania in the 1790s.
• Explain that the federal government had recently imposed a tax on whiskey, which was a popular beverage at the time.
• Explain that the farmers of western Pennsylvania were upset about the tax because it was difficult for them to pay, especially in the difficult economic times following the Revolutionary War.
• Show students the map of western Pennsylvania and point out the area where the rebellion took place.
• Discuss the events that led up to the rebellion, including the protests and violence against tax collectors, and the eventual decision by the federal government to send in troops to put down the rebellion.

Guided Practice

• Divide the students into small groups and give each group a set of primary source documents related to the Whiskey Rebellion.
• Have the students read the documents and identify any information they can about the events and characters described in the documents.
• Have the students present their findings to the class and discuss as a whole group.

Independent Practice

• Have the students choose one event or character described in the primary source documents and write a short paragraph about it.
• Have the students create a collage or poster with the paragraphs, featuring the chosen event or character.
• Have the students present their collages or posters to the class.

Closure

• Review the key events and characters of the Whiskey Rebellion.
• Discuss the significance of the Whiskey Rebellion in the formation of the United States.
• Ask the students to reflect on what they have learned about the Whiskey Rebellion and how it relates to current events.

Assessment

• Collect and grade the student reports.
• Use the class discussion and participation in the group activity as a way to assess student understanding of the topic.