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Lesson

John Dickinson (1732-1808)

Duration
45 min
Published
Nov 5, 2020
Portrait of a man with light hair and a serious expression, wearing a dark coat and collar.
Why did John Dickinson not sign the Declaration of Independence? What were his opinions on government and the of the the Townshend Acts?

Founding Principles

Civil Discourse, Liberty, Limited Government

Learning objectives

Students will:

  • explain why John Dickinson did not sign the Declaration of Independence.
  • understand Dickinson’s opinions on government.
  • understand the purpose of and colonists’ objections to the Townshend Acts.
  • analyze a historical argument’s appeal to various audiences.
  • appreciate John Dickinson’s reverence for tradition and his contributions to the revolution.

Materials

Student Handouts

Lesson Components

ActivityHandout A: John Dickinson (1732–1808)
ActivityHandout B: Vocabulary and Context Questions – John Dickinson (1732-1808)
ActivityHandout C: In His Own Words: John Dickinson on the Townshend Acts
ActivityThematic Essay – John Dickinson (1732-1808)

Lesson plan

45 minClick a phase to open it

Standards

Advanced Placement

  • CCE

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Related materials

Portrait of a man with light hair and a serious expression on a yellow background.
FounderJohn Dickinson

John Dickinson was called “The Penman of the American Revolution.” During the 1760s and 1770s, he authored numerous important essays in defense of American rights, including The Late Regulations Respecting the British Colonies, the resolutions of the Stamp Act Congress, the Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, the “Petition to the King,” and the Declaration of the Causes of Taking Up Arms.