Galen Catholic College

Revolutions Course, Unit 3, 2015

Learning Focus

Bunker Hill (Friday)

Administration

Mark the roll

WRITE ON WHITEBOARD:

Key Teaching
Focus

1. Start/finish of lessons need to be sharper. Monitor students

packing up before the end of class.
2. Better guide the students using questions/scaffolding
3. Ensure that each student contributes to the work start
earlier for each task
4. Better use of instructions
5. Focus on terminology especially when acknowledging
students.

Duration

1 lessons

Essential
Question

What was the significance of the battle of Bunker Hill in the

American revolution?

Background

The Battle of Bunker Hill was fought on June 17, 1775, during the
Siege of Boston in the early stages of the American Revolutionary
War. The battle is named after the adjacent Bunker Hill, which was
peripherally involved in the battle, and was the original objective of
both the colonial and British troops, though the vast majority of
combat took place on Breed's Hill.

5 mins

On June 13, 1775, the leaders of the colonial forces besieging Boston
learned that the British were planning to send troops out from the city
to fortify the unoccupied hills surrounding the city, giving them control
of Boston Harbour. In response, 1,200 colonial troops under the
command of William Prescott stealthily occupied Bunker Hill and
Breed's Hill. The colonists constructed a strong redoubt on Breed's
Hill, as well as smaller fortified lines across the Charlestown
Peninsula.
When the British were alerted to the presence of colonial forces on
the Peninsula, they mounted an attack against them. After two
assaults on the colonial positions were repulsed with significant British
casualties, the third and final attack carried the redoubt after the
defenders ran out of ammunition. The colonists retreated to
Cambridge over Bunker Hill, leaving the British in control of the
Peninsula.
While the result was a victory for the British, the massive losses they
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Galen Catholic College

Revolutions Course, Unit 3, 2015

encumbered discouraged them from any further sorties against the

siege lines; 226 men were killed with over 800 wounded, including a
large number of officers. The battle at the time was considered to be a
colonial defeat; however, the losses suffered by the British troops
gave encouragement to the colonies, demonstrating that
inexperienced militiamen were able to stand up to regular army troops
in a pitched battle.

Activity 1
20 mins

The British became bottled up in Boston after Lexington/Concord.

Rebels had control of the hills on the nearby Charlestown peninsula
Bunker Hill and Breeds Hill. In the attempt to take these hills, the
British suffered heavy casualties (more than a 1000) before breaching
the rebel defences and killing or wounding over 400.
Group work:
Students individually read Bernard Bailyns essay The Battle of
Bunker Hill (handout provided).
http://www.masshist.org/bh/essay.html
In groups of 2-3, answer the following questions:
1) What was the aim of the Massachusetts Committee of Safety?
2) Bailyn describes this as their first blunder. List at least three
reasons why their plan was ill conceived.
3) How long did the battle last?
4) List three mistakes that the British made in their attempt to take the
hill.
5) Why was the British effort a failure from the start?

Activity 2

Instructions:

15 mins

Working individually, read the letter from Abigail Adams to John

Adams, June 18-20, 1775.
http://www.masshist.org/digitaladams/archive/doc?id=L17750618aa
Working in groups of 2-3, students answer the questions about the
letter:
1. What details in the letters indicate that Abigail is experiencing war?
Focus in particular in the letter of 18-20 June 1775. (N.B. This
letter refers to Bunker Hill Day, and the death of their close family
friend Dr. Joseph Warren).
2. What is telling about her query regarding the load of Guilt upon
their souls?
3. What does Abigails letter demonstrate about the emotions of
civilians during war?
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Galen Catholic College

Revolutions Course, Unit 3, 2015

4. Assess her military strategy questions to her husband. What does

this show about Abigail?
5. Notice she quotes Shakespeare (Julius Caesar) in the midst of her
turmoil and concern about the war in 1776. What is the
significance of quoting Shakespeare, and why does she quote
him?
Wrap up
5 mins
Resources

Summary of Bunker Hill and the two different perspectives. Summary

of the role of womens voices, especially Abigail Adams, in the
American revolution.
Blunders on all Sides
National First Ladies Library
http://www.firstladies.org/curriculum/curriculum.aspx?Curriculum=964

The Decisive Day is Come

Massachusetts Historical Society
http://www.masshist.org/bh/index.html

Extension Work
Homework
Assessment
Absent