Slavery and the American Revolution | U.S. History Readers Theater Script

This U.S. History Differentiated Readers Theater script is based Slavery and the American Revolution (1770s-1780s). It tells the story of how, during America's fight for independence from Britain, the contradiction of slavery existed. While colonists demanded freedom, many African Americans remained enslaved. Crispus Attucks, an African American man, bravely stood up against British soldiers and became the first person to die in the struggle for liberty during the Boston Massacre. Throughout the war, both the British and American sides promised freedom to enslaved people who would join their armies. Many African Americans fought courageously, hoping their service would lead to freedom. In the North, people began to question slavery and took steps to end it. However, in the South, slavery continued because many believed they needed it for their farms. The Declaration of Independence declared that "all men are created equal," but did not address slavery directly. After the war, many African Americans still faced challenges in gaining true freedom and equality.

This script should take about ~20 minutes to read depending on your classroom's level. An extra ~25 minutes for prep, discussion, vocabulary or short answer comprehension questions should also be planned.

This product includes a zip file consisting of:

• Grades 3~5 Version (~21 Characters, 1000 words, 9 pages)
• Grades 6~8 Version (~23 Characters, 860 words, 8 pages)
• Student & Teacher Reader's Theater Tips & Notes
• 10 Comprehension Short Answer and 10 Vocabulary Words
• Themes & Discussion Question Prompts
• Note: All files are in editable DOCX format
• Character Note: Some characters only have 1 or 2 lines, if necessary one student can read multiple lines. Likewise some of the main characters can be read by multiple students.

This script is part of a Revolutionary War Bundle!

CLICK HERE to check all 15 scripts below and save 50%

01 The Boston Tea Party & Intolerable Acts (1773) [FREE DOWNLOAD]

02 The First Continental Congress (1774)

03 Patrick Henry at the Virginia Convention (1775)

04 The Midnight Ride & the Shot Heard Round the World (1775)

05 The Green Mountain Boys & Battle of Bunker Hill (1775)

06 The Second Continental Congress (1775)

07 Common Sense & Declaration of Independence (1776)

08 Crossing the Delaware & Victory at Trenton (1776)

09 Valley Forge & The American Crisis (1777-1778)

10 Foreign Allies: Lafayette and France (1777-1778)

11 Sybil Ludington and Molly Pitcher (1777)

12 Alexander Hamilton and His Duel (1780s-1804)

13 Yorktown and the Treaty of Paris (1781 - 1783)

14 George Washington Stepping Down (1783)

15 Slavery and the American Revolution (1770s-1780s)