Name: National Treasure (2004 PG)
Telephone: Secret societies, such as the Knights Templars and the Freemasons, have long been a part of historical intrigue. Research these two groups and list what we know for certain is fact and what is speculation. Do we know for certain that some Founding Fathers, such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, were part of secret societies. If so, what type of influence did those secret ties have in the creation of America?
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Content Area

Geography, Government, History

Rating

Length

2hr 11min

Movie Story Line

A historian must find the Declaration of Independence and rescue it.

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Topics

American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, Freemasons, Knights Templar

Teaching Idea #1

Secret societies, such as the Knights Templars and the Freemasons, have long been a part of historical intrigue. Research these two groups and list what we know for certain is fact and what is speculation. Do we know for certain that some Founding Fathers, such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, were part of secret societies. If so, what type of influence did those secret ties have in the creation of America?

Teaching Idea #2

Visit the National Archives online exhibit about the Declaration of Independence. Compare this founding document to the Virginia Declaration of Rights. List how Thomas Jefferson borrowed from this older document when he drafted the Declaration of Independence. Discuss how Jefferson's words in the Preamble, "All men are created equal", has never been an accurate description of America.