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Amistad and Dred Scott—a Comparative Activity Lesson PlanAmistad and Dred Scott—a Comparative Activity Lesson Plan
Publisher
Federal Judicial Center
Resource Details
Curator Rating
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Not yet Rated
Grade
8th - 12th
Subjects
English Language Arts
4 more...
Resource Type
Lesson Plans
Audiences
For Teacher Use
1 more...
Duration
4 days
Instructional Strategies
Collaborative Learning
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Technology
Presentation
Internet Access
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Lesson Plan

Amistad and Dred Scott—a Comparative Activity

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Amistad and Dred Scott—a Comparative Activity lesson plan also includes:
  • Primary Source
  • Activity
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What do slaves fighting for their freedom on board a ship and a slave fighting for his freedom in a courtroom have in common? Budding historians investigate the two different cases of the Amistad slave revolt and the Dred Scott argument. They analyze the two Supreme Court case decisions (one in favor, and one against) while creating written writing reflections as well as group presentations and discussions. 

26 Views 23 Downloads
CCSS: Adaptable

Concepts

amistad, dred scott, slavery, supreme court cases

Additional Tags

social studies

Instructional Ideas

  • Assign group members to assist those having difficulty reading such a detailed text 
  • Extend the lesson with Amistad resources from History.com

Classroom Considerations

  • Lesson takes four class periods to fully implement

Pros

  • Resource provides detailed lesson plans for teacher implementation 
  • Printable worksheets and materials for classroom use make for a well-rounded lesson

Cons

  • None

Common Core

RH.6-8.1 RH.6-8.2 RH.6-8.3 RH.9-10.1 RH.9-10.2 RH.9-10.3 RH.11-12.1 RH.11-12.2 RH.11-12.3

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Instructional Video

Dred Scott vs. Stanford

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The United States was on the brink of a war within itself when the Dred Scott case came before the Supreme Court. Viewers examine the defining case that served as a ratuionale for slavery leading into the Civil War. 
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Project p.a.t.c.h.: Dred Scott v. Sandford

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This resource presents the text of the case, Dred Scott, Plaintiff v. John F. Sandford, which was presented to the Supreme Court in December, 1856.
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Missouri Secretary of State: Conservation of the Dred Scott Papers

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Loc: Slaves and the Courts

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Explore primary source documents of court cases that were influential in the slavery debate from 1740-1860. Read first-hand analysis of cases that changed the course of American History such as the Dred Scott Case, John Brown and much more.
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Loc: Slaves and the Courts

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Slaves and the Courts, 1740-1860 contains just over a hundred pamphlets and books (published between 1772 and 1889) concerning the difficult and troubling experiences of African and African-American slaves in the American colonies and...
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Activity

The History Place: The Dred Scott Decision

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This site from The History Place provides an account of the history of Dred Scott, an African-American slave, who took his suit for his freedom to the Supreme Court. The information is somewhat brief, but worthwhile.
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Activity

Pbs: Dred Scott's Fight for Freedom (1846 1857)

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Provides information on Dred Scott and his fight for freedom, and the events leading up to the Supreme Court trial in 1857.
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Unit Plan

National Park Service: The Significance of the Dred Scott Trial

Curated OER
In this article from "The Old Courthouse" by Donald Dosch the facts of the Dred Scott decision are laid out. Read why the outcome of the case fanned the embers of the coming Civil War.
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Activity

Washington University: The Dred Scott Case

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The records in this exhibit document the Scotts' early struggle to gain their freedom, and are the only extant records as it was heard in the St. Louis Circuit Court.
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Dred Scott v. Sandford Supreme Court Decision

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Dred Scott was a harbinger of the Civil War. An enslaved man claimed freedom because his owner had taken him into free territory. Not only did the Supreme Court rule that Dred Scott and his wife were to remain enslaved, but it also ruled...
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CCSS: Adaptable
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