National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: The Making of African American Identity: Vol I: 1500 1865: Emancipation
Primary source material on the how enslaved Africans envisioned and pursued freedom and how these ideas affected them after the Civil War.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: Black Lost Cause. Colored Service in Confederate Army
This well-researched extensive essay by Peter Stam looks at the issue of the number of African Americans serving in the Confederate Army as soldiers. By examining information from many historians, some of whom turn out to be unreliable,...
Alabama Humanities Foundation
Encyclopedia of Alabama: African American Union Troops
Following the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, African Americans were granted the right to join the U.S. Army, but this article takes a closer look at how this new right worked.
Other
Camp Nelson: United States Colored Troops at Camp Nelson
This site from Camp Nelson provides text, photos, and original documents of Camp Nelson, a refugee and training camp for African-Americans during the Civil War.
US National Archives
Docsteach: Black Soldiers in the Civil War
In this activity young scholars will analyze a two-page poster that the Government used to recruit recently freed slaves to fight for the Union Army during the Civil War. The poster refers to the Emancipation Proclamation and to...
![Al Dept of Archives & History: African Americans: Reconstruction Lesson [Pdf] Lesson Plan](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Al Dept of Archives & History: African Americans: Reconstruction Lesson [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
Alabama Department of Archives and History
Al Dept of Archives & History: African Americans: Reconstruction Lesson [Pdf]
With this lesson plan, students learn about the lives of African Americans during Reconstruction. PDF (requires Adobe Reader).
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Emancipation: Civil War Ii: Soldiers
Photographs of and letters from slaves and former slaves who fought for the Union or were forced to fight for the Confederacy during the Civil War.
Virginia Historical Society
Virginia Historical Society: Home Front: How Did Slaves Support the Confederacy?
Read about the different roles that slaves and freed blacks took on in Virginia during the Civil War. They provided labor while the white men were away fighting and they helped with the military efforts. Many took the opportunity to...
Other
American National Biography Online: Armstrong, Samuel Chapman
Biography of Samuel C. Armstrong, founder of the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute during Reconstruction, to educate African Americans after the Civil War. Hampton is now Hampton University.
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: Post Civil War America
[Free Registration/Login Required] "A variety of materials demonstrates the rise and fall of civil rights for African Americans during the latter half of the nineteenth century, including constitutional amendments, sharecropper...
US National Archives
Our Documents: War Dept General Order 143: Creation of Us Colored Troops (1863)
Original document that permitted the recruitment of black troops during the Civil War. Read about events and issues leading up to and following the 1863 establishment of the Bureau of Colored Troops.
Civil War Home
Home of the American Civil War: Black Codes in the Former Confederate States
Read about the black codes in various states enacted as a result of Johnson's lenient Reconstruction plans. From "Trial by Fire, A People's History of the Civil War and Reconstruction" by Paige Smith.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: The Black Lost Cause:critical Analysis of Examples
Discusses the research by historians to try to determine the extent to which African Americans fought for the Confederate cause. They examined letters, service records, anecdotes, photographs, pension records, etc. but were unable to say...
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: The Black Lost Cause: Elaboration
Explains how the idea of African Americans fighting in large numbers for the Confederate cause is a wrong one that has been propagated by untrained historians who used unreliable sources.
Other
Mr. Lincoln and Freedom: Black Soldiers: Louisiana and Massachusetts
A complete discourse on the incorporation of black soldiers into the Union Army during the Civil War. The 54th Massachusetts Regiment is discussed in regard to the recruitment and the attack on Fort Wagner.
Black Past
Black Past: Civil Rights Congress (1946 1956)
This encyclopedia entry talks about the Civil Rights Congress, a group that gave legal defense for blacks, but was hampered by its support of the Communist Party during the Cold War.
Other
Historical Boys' Clothing: The American Civil War: Reconstruction
Outlines the major programs of the Reconstruction period after the Civil War, and the discrimination that African Americans faced, such as from the Black Codes and the Ku Klux Klan. Also discusses the amendments made to the Constitution...
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: Black Lost Cause: Implications of Colored Service
Discusses the difficulties involved in developing a true picture of how many African Americans actively supported the Confederate cause.
Other
W.e.b. Du Bois: Black Reconstruction in America 1860 1880
In this article, the book Black Reconstruction in America by W.E.B. Du Bois is reviewed by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor. This book was written to convey the experiences of African Americans during and after the Civil War, which other history...
Other
Historynet: William H. Carney: 54h Massachusetts Soldier
A dramatic summary of Carney's heroic actions during the Battle of Fort Wagner as well as a brief recount of his life following the Civil War.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Forever Free: The 1870s: Education
Read about the development of free education for African Americans following the emancipation of this enslaved population. This article focuses on schools in Texas, including what is now known as Texas A&M University. Includes a...
A&E Television
History.com: Black Heroes Throughout Us Military History
Meet the standout soldiers, spies and homefront forces who fought for America, from the Revolution to World War II. During the American Revolution, thousands of Black Americans fought -- on both sides of the conflict. As America's Civil...
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Civil Rights Movement
Article details important people, places, and events in the Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s and 1960s.
Then Again
Then Again: Web Chron: World History Chronology: The 14th Amendment Is Ratified
Read about the 14th Amendment and its impact on the lives of African Americans during Reconstruction and later.