This “who” video features Silas Deane, who was appointed by Congress on March 2, 1776, to negotiate financial aid from the French government in support of the Revolution. While in Paris, Dean began recruiting foreign soldiers with specialized skillsets to support the cause of Independence. The marquis de Lafayette, Baron Johann de Kalb, Thaddeus Kościuszko, Casimir Pulaski, and Baron von Steuben were among these men. Featured video topics were suggested by the Institute’s national network of teachers, all of whom have participated in its Master Teacher Seminar program.
The Year in Revolution Series was produced with classroom use in mind. Beginning with 1775 and ending with 1783, students and lifelong learners alike will learn about each year of the Revolution through a comprehensive overview video and five “who, what, where, when, and how” videos. The animated series draws heavily from the American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati’s library and museum collections.
Funding for the 1776 installment of Year in Revolution was made possible by a grant from the by the George S. Rich Family Foundation. The creative team for this series was assembled by the American Revolution Institute and the talented educational production leads at Makematic Limited.