British Library
British Library: Discovering Literature: Oroonoko: Historical and Political Contexts
As a young woman, Aphra Behn was a spy for Charles II's government in Antwerp and probably in South America. Two decades later, she used these experiences to write Oroonoko, the story of a prince kidnapped from West Africa, enslaved, and...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Community, Making of African American Identity: V. 1, 1500 1865
Twenty nine primary sources-historical documents, literary texts, and visual images-that explore how enslaved individuals and families coped with, adjusted to, maintained communities within, and opposed the system of oppression.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Emancipation: Death as Freedom
A poem, narratives, and newspaper selections that examine black suicide and death generally as the only dependable source of freedom for slaves. This grim resource provides links to two separate accounts of these experiences.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Religion, Making of African American Identity: V. 1
A series of songs, narratives, and memoirs that examine the spiritual beliefs of and experiences with religion among slaves in southern plantation communities.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Plantation, Making of African American Identity: V. 1
Numerous photographs of a Virginia plantation (taken in 1960), an autobiographical account of life on a Mississippi plantation from the nineteenth century, and an interview with a former slave about a Louisiana plantation recorded in 1937.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Plantation Community, Making of African American Identity: V. 1
Various retrospective oral accounts from the early-twentieth century and two narratives from the mid-nineteenth century that examine the work, interrelationships, dangers, and lives of slaves on southern plantations.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Fugitives, Making of African American Identity: V. 1
Oral and written narratives of the experiences of the Underground Railroad and documents identifying efforts by northern societies to free slaves during the 1850s.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Capture, Making of African American Identity: V. 1
Several narratives of the capture of West Africans, including the famous autobiography of Venture Smith, from the eighteenth century, two accounts of conditions on slave ships, and an audio recording of the memories of the descendants of...
Northern Illinois University
Abraham Lincoln Historical Digitization Project: Teacher's Parlor
A collection of lesson plans centered around President Abraham Lincoln that helps students understand some important events in America's history. The purpose of the page is present some major themes in American history from mid...
PBS
Africans in America: Virginia Recognizes Slavery
Here is a general description of the gradual change from using indentured servants to recognizing Africans as slaves and the laws reflecting this change.
University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas: Africa Enslaved [Pdf]
A comprehensive study of the slave trade in Africa, South America, and the Caribbean.
Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museum
Rutherford B. Hayes Center: Who Is James K. Polk?
This page features an analysis of the Democratic Party's decision to nominate the relatively unknown James Polk for their presidential candidate in 1844. This article gives insight into the political atmosphere of the time.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Settlers, Slaves and Servants
This resource provides a brief overview of how many settlers in the colonies were indentured servants and how the system of indentured servitude tied to slavery.
Henry J. Sage
Sage American History: Sectional Issues, 1815 to 1860
Article describes the sectional issues present in America between 1815 and 1860, including tariffs, banking, and the divisive issue of slavery.
PBS
Pbs: Jazz Timeline
With this timeline, learn about how the history of slavery, Jim Crow laws and other forms of racial oppression impacted the rise of jazz in America. Also highlights the achievements of women, including Viola Smith in this world of music....
Digital History
Digital History: Southern Radicalism
A look at a little-studied action in American History when men, known as filibusters raised private armies to invade foreign countries. See what these filibusters had to do with the desire to spread slavery.
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Black Segregation Timeline
This article features short, interesting facts in a historical timeline format on black segregation in America in the years before the Civil War up to the Civil Rights Movement in the late 1900s.
Curated OER
Slideshow
Three illustrations and five documents about slave codes, master-slave power dynamics, and free blacks within French and Spanish settlements of the Caribbean.
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: Triangular Trade
In this lesson, 5th graders learn about the many societal structures that developed in colonial days, including the conditions for self-government in America, the free-market economy, and the slavery system. Background information for...
Library of Congress
Loc: Booker T. Washington Delivered "Atlanta Compromise"
Booker T. Washington was one of the most influential African Americans of his day. This site highlights his famous "Atlanta Compromise" speech, as well as a general overview of his views.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Social Realism: Booker T. Washington
Focused on his personal racial and civil philosophy, Booker T. Washington moved mountains making the public aware of the injustices and inequalities of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Click "Booker T. Washington...
Digital History
Digital History: Pre Civil War Reform: Introduction
A good introduction to the topic of reform movements in Pre-Civil War America. What were the reasons that encouraged reform of many social ills?
PBS
Pbs American Masters: Scientific American: Following Muddy's Trail
This site has a lesson plan on Muddy Waters focused on the American Masters documentary about him. Parallels the Great Migration with the growth of the blues music movement in America. Click on Muddy's name to access a detailed biography...
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Maps Etc: Northwest Territory, 1795
The Ohio Valley and Great Lakes region after the French and Indian War (1754-1763). The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 was the first organization of land in the United States after the first 13 colonies. This ordinance set the important...