Activity
PBS

Pbs Africans in America: The Boston Massacre

For Students 9th - 10th
From its series entitled "Africans in America," PBS offers a comprehensive overview of the Boston Massacre from the viewpoint of the poor, the oppressed, and enslaved or free Africans. The article highlights how these individuals were...
Article
PBS

Pbe: Cet: Africans in America: The Vesey Conspiracy

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed account of the Vesey Conspiracy with links to other primary source materials on the subject. Excellent resource!
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs: Cet: Africans in America: The Middle Passage

For Students 9th - 10th
This website contains pictures and descriptions of the Middle Passage voyage. Click on Teacher's Guide for teacher resources.
Article
PBS

Pbs: Africans in America: Benjamin Banneker

For Students 9th - 10th
This website describes the life of Benjamin Banneker, a free and educated black man from Baltimore, Maryland. It describes his many accomplishments.
Article
PBS

Africans in America: Revolution: Boston King, C.1760

For Students 9th - 10th
An account of Boston King, an escaped slave who went behind British lines to obtain the freedom the British promised. Find out how he became free and how he spent the rest of his life. From PBS.
Primary
PBS

Africans in America: Venture Smith's Narrative on Buying His Freedom

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is the original text from Venture Smith's narrative on how he purchased his own freedom and his families, and his life afterwards.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs: Cet: Africans in America: Arthur Middleton

For Students 9th - 10th
This instructional activity describes the rice cultivation on Arthur Middleton's South Carolina plantation and the importance of slaves to this cultivation. It also offers a description of the Middleton Family. Click on Teacher's guide...
Primary
PBS

Pbs: Africans in America: Angelina Grimke Weld's Speech at Pennsylvania Hall

For Students 9th - 10th
The text of a speech given by abolitionist Angelina Grimke Weld on May 17, 1838.
Website
PBS

Pbs: God in America

For Students 9th - 10th
Site has much to offer on the topic of the 400-year history of religion and public life in America. At this point in time the full videos are available to watch for free. Topics include: American Scripture, God in the White House, Sacred...
Article
PBS

Africans in America: Olaudah Equiano

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from PBS' Africans in America series provides a biography of Olaudah Equiano, one of the many Africans forced to travel the Middle Passage. Links to related entries.
Article
PBS

Africans in America: "Defense of Slavery in Virginia"

For Students 9th - 10th
From PBS's "Africans in America," Reverend Peter Fontaine's defense of slavery to his brother in 1757. Click to read the text of the actual document.
Article
PBS

Africans in America: Revolution: 1750 1805

For Students 9th - 10th
Part of a detailed PBS site which describes "the history of racial slavery in the United States, this section focuses on slavery from 1750-1805.
Article
PBS

Africans in America: Living Africans Thrown Overboard

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is provided for by PBS. In order to receive insurance money, a captain ordered 132 slaves thrown overboard alive. The case went to court, and a landmark decision was made that the Africans on the ship were actually people.
Article
PBS

Africans in America: Revolution: Agrippa Hull, 1759 1838

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief look at Agrippa Hull, a free black who served as an orderly to officers in the Continental Army. From PBS.
Article
PBS

Pbs: Cet: Africans in America: The Stono Rebellion

For Students 9th - 10th
The Stono Rebellion and its impact is described in this informative essay. Hyperlinks to more discussion of this event. Teacher's Guide offers teacher resources.
Handout
PBS

Pbs: Africans in America: Part 1: The Growth of Slavery in North America

For Students 9th - 10th
Focuses on slavery in North America, the worry about uprisings, and slavery's economic impact. Links to related information.
Article
PBS

Africans in America: Lucy Terry Prince: Freed Slave and Poet

For Students 9th - 10th
This website describes the life of Lucy Terry Prince, first female African American poet. She obtained her freedom by marrying a wealthy free black man who purchased her freedom.
Article
PBS

Africans in America: Founding of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed account of the founding of the first Quaker abolitionist society in 1775 in Philadelphia by Anthony Benezet. The society became known as "PAS" or "Pennsylvania Abolition Society".
Primary
PBS

Africans in America: Revolution: Significance of Dunmore's Proclamation

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief interview with Betty Wood, professor of history, on the significance of Dunmore's Proclamation to Loyalist plantation owners, Patriot plantation owners, and, in particular, the slaves themselves. From PBS.
Article
PBS

Pbs: Africans in America: David Walker (1796 1830)

For Students 9th - 10th
At this site from PBS you can read about the life of David Walker. Born in the late 18th century as a free black, he was most known for his pamplet, entitled "Appeal," which advocated slave revolt.
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs: Cet: Africans in America: The First Slave Auction at New Amsterdam in 1655

For Students 9th - 10th
This website contains a general description of the time and reason for the first large slave auction held in the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam. Click on Teacher's Guide for teaching resources.
Primary
PBS

Pbs: Cet: Africans in America: Lincoln's "House Divided" Speech

For Students 9th - 10th
Short history and text of Abraham Lincoln's "House Divided" speech given in 1858. Click on the link to see the text of the speech. Click on Teacher's Guide for teaching resources.
Primary
PBS

Africans in America: William Byrd's Diary

For Students 9th - 10th
Excerpts from "The Secret Diary of William Byrd" in which, among other things, he describes slaves as piece of property.
Article
PBS

Africans in America: John Brown's Black Raiders

For Students 9th - 10th
This page provides information on the black men who took part in John Brown's Raid. Includes quotes of associates referring to the men.