Curated OER
Brother Against Brother
Eighth graders read Across Five Aprils and correlate it to a unit on the Civil War. They culminate the unit by writing a a piece of historical fiction in the first person entitled "Brother Against Brother."
PBS
African-Americans in the American West
Secondary learners explore the westward movement of African Americans. Segmented into four time periods, the activity provides an overview of how African Americans experienced westward expansion. Learners view PBS specials on the...
Curated OER
Black History Web Design
Each student or student team creates a web page. Young scholars research and make decisions for content of the page. Each web page should contain at least six images and six links, as well as any necessary commentary. Students indicate...
Curated OER
African-American Participation in Wars and Conflicts
Students research the enlistment of African Americans, including particular divisions and individuals, in different conflicts. They, in groups, research past American military conflicts, and report on the experience of African Americans...
Curated OER
After the American Revolution: Free African Americans in the North
Eleventh graders explore how one-third of Patriot soldiers at the Battle of Bunker Hill were African Americans Census data also reveal that there were slaves and free Blacks living in the Nort
Curated OER
The African-American Experience During the Vietnam Conflict
Learners examine the experiences of African-Americans in the Vietnam War. They illustrate their experiences showing how these events related to the Civil Rights movement. They compare and contrast the views of sailors and officers aboard...
Curated OER
American West: Lawlessness and Violence
In this American West activity, students read about the reasons for lawlessness and violence in the American West. Students learn about geographical factors, political factors, economic factors, social factors, values, and attitudes.
Curated OER
Celebrating the Smithsonian's Birthday
Students examine online objects from the Smithsonian website and use them as subjects and inspiration for creative writing exercises.
Curated OER
Turmoil in Thailand: The Battle of Bangkok
Tenth graders examine the battle of Bangkok. In this Conflict in Thailand lesson, 10th graders read an article about the causes and effects of the Battle of Bangkok. Students participate in a debate about whether or not to visit the city...
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: Black Soldiers in the Civil War
This comprehensive site from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) describes the history of the participation of colored troops in the Civil War and government efforts to research and compile records about them....
Curated OER
National Park Service: The American Civil War: African Americans
An overview of African American's contributions during the Civil War. Presents the history, contributions, and information on the Underground Railroad.
Library of Congress
Loc: Learning Page: African American Soldiers During the Civil War
This resource provides an overview of the African American soldiers who fought during the Civil War.
US National Archives
Docsteach: Black Soldiers in the Civil War
In this activity students 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 President...
US National Archives
Docsteach: Comparing Civil War Recruitment Posters
Students will compare and contrast military recruitment posters to analyze various perspectives regarding the role of African Americans during the Civil War. They will determine the purpose of each poster - one recruiting black men for...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: School Publishers: Black Civil War Soldiers Honored
Article describing the ceremony in Boston in 1997 in which Colin Powell honored the black soldiers who fought in the Civil War.
Virginia Historical Society
Virginia Historical Society: Conclusion: Did the Civil War End at Appomattox?
While the American Civil War officially ended at the Battle of Appomattox, Confederate sensibilities ran deep and it was not until the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s that blacks were able to fully assert their equality....
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.
New Georgia Encyclopedia: History and Archaeology: Black Troops in Civil War Georgia
The New Georgia Encyclopedia provides an article describing the role, recruitment, and enlistment of black troops in Georgia during the Civil War.
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.
Other
Union Regimental Histories: Corps De Afrique and the Civil War
This site gives brief histories of the 25 regiments in the Corps De Afrique who served in the Civil War. From "A Compendium of the War of Rebellion" by Frederick H. Dyer.
US National Archives
National Archives: Black Soldiers in the Civil War
Increasing pressures on the Union army led to the recruitment of African Americans to fight in the Civil War. Students will analyze the following recruitment poster for freed slaves and decide how important the black soldiers were to a...
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.
CommonLit
Common Lit: Black Soldiers in the Civil War
A learning module that begins with "Black Soldiers in the Civil War" by The National Archives, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online...
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,...
US National Archives
National Archives: Comparing Civil War Recruitment Posters
The Lincoln administration struggled with the idea of recruiting black troops until it became a necessity for the Union army. Compare and contrast the following recruitment posters - one for recruiting black men for the Union army and...