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“The Man Who Financed Freedom: Haym Salomon and the Economics of the American Revolution”

🧾 LESSON PLAN

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Course: Economics with Financial Literacy (2102335) or Personal Finance (2102371)Grade Level: 9–12Time Frame: 90 minutes


🎯 Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

  1. Explain how financial systems and credit supported the American Revolution.

  2. Analyze the role of individual entrepreneurship, sacrifice, and risk-taking in building a nation’s economy.

  3. Describe the importance of ethical finance and philanthropy (Tzedakah and Tikkun Olam).

  4. Relate Haym Salomon’s contributions to modern concepts such as credit, debt, and government finance.

  5. Create connections between historical finance and today’s principles of personal financial responsibility.

  6. Discuss the roles of the soldiers that shot the bullets while some finance the bullets..


📘 Sunshine State Standards (Florida)

Financial Literacy and Economics Alignment:

  • SS.912.E.1.1 – Identify the factors that influence economic growth (including capital formation, savings, and investment).

  • SS.912.E.1.2 – Explain how scarcity, opportunity costs, and trade-offs influence decision making.

  • SS.912.E.2.1 – Analyze the role of financial institutions in the U.S. economy.

  • SS.912.FL.1.1 – Explain how an individual’s financial decisions can affect their future financial stability.

  • SS.912.FL.2.4 – Describe the importance of charitable giving and its impact on individuals and society.

  • SS.912.A.3.13 – Analyze the influence of key figures in shaping the American Revolution.


🧩 Key Vocabulary

  • Credit

  • Loan

  • Debt

  • Interest

  • Philanthropy

  • Inflation

  • Capital

  • Investment

  • Opportunity Cost

  • Patriotism


🧠 Lesson Introduction (15 minutes)

  • Begin with the question:“Can a single person’s financial decision change the course of history?”

  • Show short video clip or read the story excerpt about Haym Salomon (adapted from your text above).

  • Briefly discuss why America’s Revolution needed financing and what happens when a nation runs out of money.


💼 Activity 1 – The Economics of Revolution (20 minutes)

Group Discussion:Divide students into groups of 4–5 and assign each group a role:

  • Congress (Government) – needs money to pay soldiers.

  • Financier (Salomon) – must find funding or use credit.

  • Foreign Allies (France, Netherlands) – weigh the risk of lending.

  • Citizens (Taxpayers) – demand freedom but can’t pay more taxes.

Each group discusses:

  1. What are your financial options?

  2. What risks or rewards exist for each side?

  3. How does trust affect money and credit?


💰 Activity 2 – Modern Connections (25 minutes)

Students connect Salomon’s story to today’s financial principles:

  • Using a Venn Diagram, compare:

    • Haym Salomon’s financing of the Revolution

    • A modern entrepreneur or investor taking risks for innovation

Then, discuss:

  • How does access to credit affect both national and personal success?

  • When is debt ethical or moral?

  • What modern parallels exist (e.g., small business loans, national debt, philanthropy)?

  • What the $650,000 that Solomon provided be worth today?


✍️ Activity 3 – Financial Reflection Writing (20 minutes)

Prompt:“Haym Salomon used his own money to fund freedom. If you had $650,000 today, how could you invest or donate it to make the world better while maintaining your own financial health?”

Students write one-page responses emphasizing:

  • Budgeting choices

  • Opportunity cost

  • Risk and reward

  • Ethics of giving


🧾 Assessment (10 minutes)

  • Exit Ticket Quiz:

    1. What is credit and why was it vital to the American Revolution?

    2. What modern financial concept best describes Haym Salomon’s actions?

    3. What are two ways his story teaches about responsible financial behavior?


🗝️ Extension Activities

  • Research other financiers or philanthropists who shaped history (e.g., Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan, or modern investors).

  • Create a short presentation titled “Financing Freedom: Then and Now.”


💡 Teacher Notes

Connect this story to broader themes in American history and entrepreneurship:

  • The role of financial courage in achieving independence.

  • The importance of creditworthiness and reputation.

  • How philanthropy can serve both faith and nation.


#FinancialLiteracy#HaymSalomon#AmericanRevolution#EconEducation#FaithAndFinance#PatriotInvestor#EthicalEconomics#CapitalismInAction#MoneyAndFreedom#TeachTheRevolution #bobsuttonbroward #chairmanbobsutton

 
 
 

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