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Lesson Plan
Center for History Education

The Untold Story: The Black Struggle for Freedom during the Revolutionary War in Maryland

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
The American Revolution brought freedom to select groups and ignored others. An enlightening resource highlights the struggle of African Americans during the American Revolution and their efforts to escape slavery. Scholars analyze...
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Lesson Plan
2
2
Smithsonian Institution

Fighting For Freedom: The Stono Rebellion and Free Frank McWhorter

For Teachers 8th - 11th Standards
Travel back in time to the Stono Rebellion. Young historians research historical figures who played a role in African Americans' fight to escape slavery. Scholars research material, complete handouts, participate in group discussion, and...
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Department of Archives and History

Alabama Slave Codes in 1833: What They Can Teach Us About Slaves Themselves

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
After viewing a short PowerPoint about Nat Turner's rebellion, class groups examine Alabama's 1833 slave codes. Individuals then develop a mini-legal brief arguing against one particular slave law.
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Primary
Other

Uncut Black Experience: Turner's Confession

For Students 9th - 10th
Text of the confession of Nat Turner, leader of a bloody slave revolt.
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eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: African Americans in the Antebellum United States

For Students 11th - 12th
This section of a chapter on "The Antebellum South" discusses the similarities and differences in the lives of slaves and free blacks and describes the independent culture and customs that slaves developed.
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Unit Plan
PBS

Wnet: Thirteen: Slavery and the Making of America: Slave Responses to Enslavement

For Students 9th - 10th
Using primary documents, oral histories, and other historical resources, learn how African Americans responded to enslavement prior to the Civil War. Includes interactive exercise.
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Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs: Cet: Africans in America: The Growth of Slavery in North America

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the economics of slavery in South Carolina and its importance to the profitable growing of rice. It continues with ways the slaves were controlled and punished in South Carolina and Georgia. Click on Teacher's Guide for teacher...
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Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: The Peculiar Institution

For Students 9th - 10th
This exhibit explores the methods used by Africans and their American-born descendants to resist enslavement, as well as to demand emancipation and full participation in American society. Strategies varied, but the goal remained...
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Article
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Teacher Serve: Slave Resistance

For Students 9th - 10th
Essay explores the beginnings of slave resistance and its various forms. Includes ideas for guiding a student discussion.
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: Slave Revolts

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the arson conspiracy trials in New York in which slaves were accused of conspiring to burn down the city. Information is included about other slave revolts over the decades.
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Graphic
New York Public Library

Aame: Runaway Journeys: Maroon Communities and Major Slave Revolts

For Students 9th - 10th
A map showing the major slave rebellions in the United States in the 17th-19th centuries.
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Handout
Library of Virginia

Death or Liberty: Gabriel, Nat Turner and John Brown

For Students 9th - 10th
Online exhibit with primary documents about slavery revolts in Virginia.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Rebellions on and Off the Plantation

For Students 5th - 8th
Slaves resisted their bondage in many ways. Read about the revolts planned and executed by Denmark Vesey and Nat Turner, the southern reactions to those revolts, and the ways slaves individually resisted their enslavement.
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Website
Franco Cavazzi

The Roman Empire: Gaius Marius & His Roman Army Reforms

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from The Roman Empire explores Gaius Marius' role in reforming the Roman Army. Content includes a detailed biography. The article continues with Sulla and the Social wars, the decline of the Republic, and the end of the Republic.
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Handout
Black Past

Black Past: New York Slave Conspiracy (1741)

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a brief encyclopedia entry about the possible slave conspiracy to burn New York City.
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Article
PBS

Africans in America: New York: The Revolt of 1712

For Students 9th - 10th
Description of revolt in New York City which led to stricter laws for the slaves.
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Article
PBS

Africans in America: Witchhunt in New York: The 1741 Rebellion

For Students 9th - 10th
Description of the revolt in New York soon after the Stono Rebellion which caused many slaves to die.
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Handout
Black Past

Black Past: New York Slave Uprising (1712)

For Students 9th - 10th
This brief encyclopedia article tells about the slave revolt in New York in 1712 which led to severe punishment and stricter laws for slaves.