Students identify Central and South American countries on a map. Then they learn about the Haitian Revolution and summarize surprising facts. Next they create a timeline of Simon Bolivar’s struggle for the liberation of South American colonies from Spain, and they evaluate his legacy. Finally they summarize who won freedom in the American, Haitian, and Bolivar-led revolutions.
Students read an introduction explaining that, following U.S. independence, revolutions also occurred in Central and South America. They then use a digital drawing tool to label as many present-day Central and South American countries as they can on a color-coded map showing when each gained independence.
Teacher MovesReview the lesson objectives and, if helpful, have students work with an elbow partner while using political maps from the Teacher Pack. Point out the locations of Haiti, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Bolivia, which will be highlighted later in the experience.
Students examine an image of a Haitian military officer holding the Constitution of 1801 and read background text about Haiti’s colonial history, the impact of the French Revolution, and the role of enslaved people in the Haitian Revolution. They then watch 22nd August 1791: Start of the Haitian Revolution in the French colony of Saint-Domingue and read Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) to deepen their understanding of the revolution’s causes and outcomes. Finally, they contribute to a shared table by adding one surprising fact they learned about the Haitian Revolution.
Teacher MovesHighlight key surprising aspects of the Haitian Revolution, such as the success of an enslaved population against a major European power, France’s simultaneous involvement in other wars, and Haiti’s shift from a wealthy colony to the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Explain how post-independence leadership, international isolation, and French demands for compensation contributed to Haiti’s long-term challenges.
Students view an image of diverse inhabitants of Colombia and read text comparing Spanish and British colonial systems, the social hierarchy in Spanish America, and the life and ideas of Simon Bolivar, including his opposition to slavery and his goal of uniting South America. They then create a four-event timeline of key moments in Bolivar’s struggle to liberate South American countries from Spain using a graphic organizer. Afterward, they read about Bolivar’s legacy in The Legacy of Simon Bolivar and respond to a poll on whether he should be considered a hero or a failure. Finally, they post to a class wall, supporting their opinion of Bolivar’s legacy with evidence.
Teacher MovesEncourage students to include additional significant events in Bolivar’s timeline, such as the Letter from Jamaica, the Battle of Boyaca, and the liberation of Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia. Lead a class discussion weighing both sides of Bolivar’s legacy—his success in liberating much of Central and northern South America versus his inability to establish a stable republic and his increasingly autocratic rule. Note that despite these complexities, he is widely honored as a hero in the nations he helped to free, and optionally direct interested students to a comparison of the early United States and Gran Colombia in American Expansion – U.S.A. and Gran Colombia.
Students reflect on what they know about the American Revolution and what they have learned about the Haitian and Bolivar-led revolutions, focusing on who actually gained freedom in each case. They then choose two of these revolutions and write two brief diary entries from the perspective of an indigenous or African teen, explaining how their life has or has not changed after the revolution.
Teacher MovesUse student responses to identify understandings and misconceptions, and to guide follow-up discussion.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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