Digital History
Digital History: America's Reconstruction: Rights and Power
This resource provides information about Reconstruction, the United States Government, slavery, and civil rights.
US National Archives
Nara: Presidential Election Laws: Presidential Election Laws
Check out this site from the National Archives and Records Administration on the US Constitution and the United States Code for laws and provisions regarding presidential elections.
Savvas Learning
Pearson: Government by the People
An easy to follow flow chart that shows how the term "Government by the people," has changed over the years. Make sure to click on each box of information to get a more in depth description.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Voting Rights Act (1965)
Included at this site is the complete text and images of the original document of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This law outlawed the discriminatory voting practices that African Americans had endured.
Other
Fair Vote: X's and O's: A History of the Voting Rights Act and African Americans
Documented essay on the history of black suffrage in American and the significance of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Radical Reconstruction, 1867 1872
This section explains the purpose of the second phase of Reconstruction and some of the key legislation put forward by Congress, describes the impeachment of President Johnson, and discusses the benefits and drawbacks of the Fifteenth...
C3 Teachers
C3 Teachers: Inquiries: Call for Change
A learning module on the women's suffrage movement in New York State that includes three supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and source materials, followed by a summative performance task. Topics covered include voting...
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Ulysses S. Grant: Domestic Affairs
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...
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Slavery and the Making of America: Freedom & Emancipation
Using primary documents, oral histories and other historical resources, learn about the African American reaction to emancipation and to events from the Reconstruction period following the Civil War.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Constitution: Annotation 1: Fifteenth Amendment
This resource gives the text of the Fifteenth Amendment with annotations. The paragraph on literacy tests includes information on Alabama's amendment which was clearly aimed at African Americans.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: Landmark Decisions
This site details the controversial issues regarding slavery and the effects they had on the Civil War amendments as well as on the fifth amendment. The site discusses events such as the Dred Scott case, the addition of the Civil War...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: The Fifteenth Amendment
This collection uses primary sources to explore the Fifteenth Amendment.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The Reconstruction Amendments
In this interactive lesson, students will understand and explain the key provisions of the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, commonly referred to as the Reconstruction Amendments.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Radical Reconstruction
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.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Learning Adventures: The History and Process of Voting
Learning adventures teaches students of all ages about the voting process and the history of voting, citing the 15th and 19th Amendments, Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the 26th Amendment. Links to the National Archives and voter...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: African Americans and the 15th Amendment
Article on equal rights and the series of events leading to the passage of the 15th Amendment. Includes questions for discussion and an activity in which students re-create the Voting Rights Convention.
US Department of Justice
Introduction to Federal Voting Rights Laws
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.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Uniform Election Day
A brief description of the significance and events leading up to a national uniform election day.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of Us: Working for Freedom: Susan B. Anthony [Pdf]
A lesson plan from the producers of the 16-episode PBS series "Freedom: A History of US" designed to aid understanding of Susan B. Anthony's contributions to the women's suffrage movement. Students will look at the language of the...
Other
Celebrating Rights and Responsibilities: Story of the 15th Amendment in Maryland
This resource houses an essay on the passing of the 15th Amendment in Maryland. The essay discusses the political motivations behind the passing and how this affected the black population of the state.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Constitution: Fifteenth Amendment
This resource provides the 15th Amendment, which declares the Right of Citizens to Vote, with annotations on Abolition of Suffrage Qualificatrions, Adoption and Judicial Enforcement, and Congressional Enforcement.
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: The Reconstruction Amendments
[Free Registration/Login Required] An article that discusses the 13-15th amendments and their impact on social history.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1844 1877: Reconstruction: Life After Slavery
Discusses what life was like for African Americans who were freed from slavery after the Civil War. Includes questions for students.