Revolutionary Roster
WORLDHISTORY PROJECT1750/ LESSON 2.5OPENERREVOLUTIONARY ROSTERUnless otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Credit: “Revolutionary Roster”, OER Project, www.oerproject.com/PurposeAll the mystery people on the list below will appear in the materials in this lesson. See if you can spot them in history and find out whether your assumptions about them were accurate!ProcessChoose one of the Mystery Identities below to complete Revolutionary Role Call.Mystery Identities: 1.Enslaved plantation workerYou were born into slavery and have lived your entire life working on a large sugar plantation in Saint-Domingue (Haiti). You wake before sunrise and work long hours under strict supervision. You are given little food and no payment. You have no legal rights, and punishment for disobedience is harsh.Society snapshot: Enslaved people outnumber plantation owners by a large amount,and some have started whispering about fighting back.2.Free person of color You were born to a European father and an African mother. Unlike many others in Saint-Domingue, you are free. You run a small business and own property. You are wealthier than most, but the law still limits your rights because of your mixed heritage. Some white colonists see you as inferior, and you cannot hold the same political power they do.Society snapshot: Tensions between free Black citizens, white plantation owners, and enslaved people are growing, and laws are becoming stricter to maintain control.3.Wealthy plantation ownerYou are one of the richest landowners in Saint-Domingue. You own a vast sugar plantation and oversee hundreds of workers. Your wealth allows you to live comfortably, entertain guests, and engage in colonial politics. Your profits depend on the stability ofthe colony.Society snapshot: Lately, you’ve heard of revolts on other islands, and some plantation owners are nervous about maintaining order.
WORLDHISTORY PROJECT1750/ LESSON 2.5OPENER\REVOLUTIONARY ROSTER4.Wealthy Creole landownerYou were born in South America to Spanish parents and you own large estates. You manage your land, oversee workers, and engage in discussions with other elites about political affairs. While you benefit from colonial rule, you wonder if local elites should have more control.Society snapshot: The Spanish Crown enforces strict trade laws and taxes, which frustratesmany Creole landowners who want more independence.5.Manuela Sáenz, awealthy woman with limited rightsYou were born into a well-off family and received an education, but as a woman, you have fewer rights and lower expectations than your male counterparts. You attend social gatherings, manage household affairs, and navigate life in a society that values male leadership.Society snapshot: Discontent with Spanish rule is spreading and political debates are intensifying, but women are largely excluded from these discussions.6.West African traderYou belong to a family that has traded goods like gold, textiles, and food for generations. European traders have recently become more involved in local markets. You travel between villages to sell goods, negotiate deals, and build connections.Society snapshot: More European merchants are seeking control over trade, which is creating tension over who holds economic power in the region.7.West African village leaderYou are responsible for making decisions that protect your people. You settle disputes, manage trade agreements, and lead religious and cultural ceremonies. Some village leaders have resisted foreign influence, while others have cooperated.Society snapshot: European forces have become more aggressive in taking control of land and resources, forcing leaders like you to make difficult choices.8.Parisian chocolate maker’s daughterYour family owns a small chocolate-making business in Paris, which you help run. You grew up working in the shop and learning the trade. Your responsibilities
WORLDHISTORY PROJECT1750/ LESSON 2.5OPENER\REVOLUTIONARY ROSTERinclude preparing goods, serving customers, and managing finances alongside your mother.Society snapshot: Food prices are rising, and angry crowds have begun gathering in the city demanding change.9.Mexican nun and educatorYou have dedicated your life to religious service and the education of young women in New Spain (Mexico). You spend your days teaching, writing, and fulfilling religious duties in your convent. Women’s education is not widely valued, and those who challenge traditional roles face strong opposition.Society snapshot: New ideas about freedom and rights are spreading through the colony, but many in power resist change, especially when it challenges social order.10.Indigenous woman facing colonizationYour people have lived on this land for generations, but foreign settlers take more land every year. You maintain cultural practices while adapting to the presence of settlers.Society snapshot: Tensions are rising between Indigenous communities and settlers,who want to claim more land for themselves.