Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Radical Reconstruction

For Students 9th - 10th
During this period of American history, the presidents were in agreement, but the Republican party had some differences. This resource provides an explanation of those differences.
PPT
University of North Carolina

University of North Carolina: Constitution 101 [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides a good basic introduction to the Constitution. Explains the founding principles, checks and balances, the rationale for it, the accomplishments of the Constitutional Convention, the debate and ratification, the structure of the...
Website
Other

Historical Boys' Clothing: The American Civil War: Reconstruction

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Handout
Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The 1860s: Reconstruction

For Students 3rd - 8th
Here is an article on the Reconstruction, which touches briefly on several issues that arose during this period, specifically in Texas: President Johnson's Reconstruction plan, assimilation and rights of freed slaves, the 13th and 14th...
Website
Then Again

Then Again: Web Chron: World History Chronology: The 14th Amendment Is Ratified

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the 14th Amendment and its impact on the lives of African Americans during Reconstruction and later.
Website
Other

Black Baltimore 1870 1920: The Fifteenth Amendment Parade and Celebration

For Students 3rd - 8th
Contains a great picture and description of the Fifteenth Amendment parade that was held in Baltimore, to emphasize its importance. Provides links to other civil rights articles.
Activity
Other

Learning on Line: Lincoln's Reconstruction Plan

For Students 3rd - 8th
Part of a larger project about Abraham Lincoln as president, this page discusses the Reconstruction plans put forth by Lincoln, the Congress, and Andrew Johnson. Student comparison activity is included. Author is gifted education teacher...
Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Ulysses S. Grant: Domestic Affairs

For Students 9th - 10th
A very good look at the many parts of domestic affairs in the Grant administration. Grant dealt with Reconstruction, the Panic of 1873, a revamping of the government's relationship with Native Americans, and several scandals that did not...
Handout
George Mason University

Chnm: Reconstruction Era

For Students 9th - 10th
The Republican actions during Reconstruction are summarized in this site from the Center for History and New Media.
Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: "With Malice Toward None"

For Students 9th - 10th
A four-page discussion of Reconstruction from the plans Lincoln made while the Civil War was still raging to the end of Reconstruction with the election of Rutherford B. Hayes.
Website
Digital History

Digital History: President Johnson Impeached [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
No love was lost between the Congress' trying to pass Reconstruction plans and President Andrew Johnson's attempts to thwart those plans. Read a short biography of Andrew Johnson to get an idea of the man. Follow the timeline of...
Handout
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1844 1877: Reconstruction: The First Kkk

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains how the Ku Klux Klan came into existence and how they terrorized African Americans as well as those who sympathized with them. The Klan would suppress the black vote so that Democrats had a better chance of winning an election...
Primary
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Gilder Lehrman Institute: Post Civil War America

For Students 9th - 10th
[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...
Handout
Ohio History Central

Ohio History Central: Radical Republicans

For Students 9th - 10th
A good description of the beginnings of the Republican Party before the Civil War, and the transformation to Radical Republicanism during Reconstruction as they attempted to guarantee equal rights for African Americans. Information is...
Unit Plan
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Citizens: African American Identity: 1865 1917

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the efforts of African Americans to be recognized as equal citizens after the Civil War, and the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. Includes links to supplemental information.
eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: Congress and the Remaking of the South, 1865 1866

For Students 11th - 12th
This section from a chapter on "The Era of Reconstruction" describes the efforts made by Congress in 1865 and 1866 to bring to life its vision of Reconstruction and explains how the Fourteenth Amendment transformed the Constitution.
eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: Restoring the Union

For Students 11th - 12th
Read this section from a chapter on "The Era of Reconstruction" to learn about Lincoln's plan to restore the Union at the end of the Civil War. Students will be able to discuss the tenets of Radical Republicanism and analyze the success...
Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Rutherford Birchard Hayes: Domestic Affairs

For Students 9th - 10th
An in-depth analysis of the domestic policies and problems that Rutherford B. Hayes faced as president. Read about the end of Reconstruction, Hayes' economic policy, his troubles with a Democratic majority in the Congress, and his...
Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: Mary Church Terrell Papers

For Students 9th - 10th
The papers of educator, lecturer, suffragist, and civil rights activist Mary Church Terrell consist of approximately 13,000 documents. Spanning the years 1851 to 1962, with the bulk of the material concentrated in the period 1886-1954,...
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: Vital Protection for Individual Liberties

For Students 9th - 10th
Explanation of the constitutional amendments and process of amending as intentionally organized to increase protection of the civil liberties of U.S. citizens.
Activity
US Department of Justice

Introduction to Federal Voting Rights Laws

For Students 9th - 10th
From the U.S. Justice Department, this is a history of voting rights laws in the United States, including a discussion of the Fifteenth Amendment.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Rebuilding the Old Order

For Students 5th - 8th
Reconstruction in the South engendered corruption, greed, a poor economy, and a backlash against the idea of allowing freed slaves to take part in political and civic life. Read about the formation of paramilitary groups who attempted to...
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: The Bill of Rights

For Students 9th - 10th
Article on the history and purpose of the Bill of Rights which spelled out specific protections in the first 10 amendments of the Constitution.
Activity
University of Groningen

American History: Biographies: George Mason the Virginia Bill of Rights

For Students 9th - 10th
The Virginia Bill of Rights was the framework for the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights. Some of Mason's actual phrasing appear in the first ten amendments passed fifteen years later. He is credited for authoring the first American...