Towns

MD, USA

Baltimore

Lesson plans and classroom materials.

Baltimore 1776–77: The Continental Congress in Crisis

7-10 · 2-3 class periods

What you'll get

  • 5 primary sources with analysis prompts
  • Quiz with answer key (5 questions)
  • 3 printable handouts
Print full packet
7-102-3 class periodsCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sourcesCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.8: Distinguish among fact, opinion, and reasoned judgment in a textD2.His.1.6-8: Analyze connections among events and developments in broader historical contexts

Learning Objectives

  1. Explain why the Continental Congress relocated to Baltimore in December 1776
  2. Analyze the emergency powers resolution as a response to the crisis of late 1776
  3. Evaluate the tension between civilian control of the military and wartime necessity
  4. Connect the failures of the Continental Congress to the movement for constitutional reform

Essential Questions

  • What does it mean for a government to function in crisis, and what are the costs of giving one person emergency powers?
  • Why did Congress need to flee Philadelphia, and what does that reveal about the Revolution in December 1776?
  • How did the experiences of 1776–77 shape founders' thinking about what kind of government America needed?

Procedure

Primary Sources

Journals of the Continental Congress, December 1776 - February 1777 (Baltimore Sessions)

Library of Congress · PRIMARY · Tier 1 — Primary/Academic

View source

Maryland Admiralty Court Records: Privateering Commissions, 1776-1783

Maryland State Archives · PRIMARY · Tier 1 — Primary/Academic

View source

Maryland State Archives: Baltimore County Committee of Observation Records

Maryland State Archives · PRIMARY · Tier 1 — Primary/Academic

View source

Chronicles of Baltimore: Being a Complete History of Baltimore Town and Baltimore City

Turnbull Brothers (J. Thomas Scharf) · SECONDARY · Tier 1 — Primary/Academic

Flag House and Star-Spangled Banner Museum

Flag House and Star-Spangled Banner Museum / National Register · INSTITUTIONAL · Tier 1 — Primary/Academic

View source

Handouts & Materials

Baltimore Event Timeline

timeline

Students place key events in chronological order and add details

Primary Source Analysis

graphic organizer

Structured analysis of Revolutionary-era documents

Key Figures Profile

worksheet

Research template for Revolutionary figures

Baltimore in the American Revolution

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

1.

What makes Baltimore significant in Revolutionary history?

AIt was the site of important Revolutionary events
BIt had no connection to the Revolution
CIt was founded after the Revolution
DIt was a British stronghold throughout the war
2.

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

TTrue
FFalse
3.

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

4.

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

ADifferent people experienced events differently
BIt makes history more confusing
COnly one perspective is ever correct
DPerspectives don't matter in history
5.

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