Unit Plan 17 (Grade 5 Social Studies): International Allies and Global Impact
Students explore how France, Spain, and other international allies transformed the Revolution into a global conflict, using maps and sources to see how worldwide support helped secure American independence.
Focus: Examine how France and other international allies shaped the American victory and turned the Revolution into a global conflict across the Atlantic world.
Grade Level: 5
Subject Area: Social Studies (History • Geography • Inquiry/Skills)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Students explore how the American Revolution was not fought by the colonies alone. They investigate how France, Spain, and other powers provided money, supplies, troops, and naval support, turning the struggle into a global war. Using maps of the Atlantic world, short texts, and simple timelines, students connect turning points like Saratoga and Yorktown to growing international support and pressure on Britain around the world.
Essential Questions
- How did France and other allies help the American colonies win the Revolutionary War?
- How did the war become a global conflict reaching across the Atlantic world?
- Why are alliances important in shaping turning points and outcomes in history?
- How do maps of trade, war, and alliance patterns show interdependence between regions?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Identify key international allies (especially France, but also Spain and others) and describe how they supported the American cause.
- Explain how Saratoga helped convince France to form a formal alliance, and how this alliance became a turning point in the war.
- Use maps of the Atlantic world to show spatial connections (troop movements, naval routes, trade, and military support) between Europe, North America, and the Caribbean.
- Describe how the Revolution affected and was affected by events beyond the colonies (e.g., naval battles, blockades, and fighting in other regions).
- Create a brief written or visual explanation showing how international allies changed the balance of power and helped make American independence possible.
Standards Alignment — 5th Grade (C3-based custom)
- 5.C3.Hist.4 — Explain big ideas and turning points (colonial self-government, Revolution, Articles vs. Constitution, Bill of Rights).
- Example: Contrast weaknesses of the Articles with solutions in the Constitution.
- 5.C3.Geo.5 — Describe spatial connections among places (diffusion, movement, interdependence) across the Atlantic world.
- Example: Show how ideas and goods moved between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can name and describe at least one way France and other allies helped the colonies during the Revolutionary War.
- I can explain how Saratoga and the French alliance became turning points in the war.
- I can use a map of the Atlantic world to show how people, ships, and supplies moved between Europe and North America.
- I can describe how the war stretched beyond the 13 colonies and involved global actions and interdependence.
- I can create a short explanation or poster that clearly connects ally support to American victory.