Signs and Symbols of the American Revolution

Students encounter signs and symbols hundreds of times a day; visual imagery is constantly used to communicate ideas, create in-groups, and sell products. The same was true in the Revolutionary era. Through analysis of the images and objects of this time, students can see signs, symbols and other imagery as a language that can be read to understand mid- to late-18th-century America, while practicing close looking skills, making inferences, substantiating arguments, and evaluating multiple perspectives. In this session, educators will encounter specific examples of 18th-century imagery and consider how signs and symbols can be used both as a pathway to historical content and a bridge to the contemporary era.