Curricular Themes

Spies, secret agents, and intelligence gatherers, are not usually studied in history classes. They affect the outcome of wars and military actions, however, just as much as the soldiers, governments and military leaders. This web site offers the chance to learn more about how the spies of the American Revolution shaped its outcome. From the collection of a British general, Henry Clinton, the British and American spy letters included in this web site will give students a chance to study alternative viewpoints of this pivotal war. Read these letters and their stories to learn about many different aspects and issues concerning the American Revolution. To get you started, following is a list of curricular themes for possible school projects which may be researched and expanded upon from this web site.

The Study of Archival Materials -- original sources' importance to history, understanding historical bias, exaggeration, and multiple perspectives

Spies -- their effect on the outcome of the revolution, treason and turncoats, women as spies, the importance of communication, the value of information

Social Class Differences -- class, race, and gender differences portrayed in these letters and their different roles in the war

Cause and Impact -- Seven Years War's effect on the American Revolution, individuals' actions and their effect on others in the war

Different Viewpoints -- the British and the American interpretations of the events of the war, colonialism viewed by Americans and British

Secret Service in America -- the origins of the Secret Service in America, techniques used by the colonial spies versus spies today, reasons for intelligence work

Clements Library | Sir Henry Clinton Collection | Teachers' Lounge | About the Project | Bibliography