Curated OER
Antebellum Revivalism and Reform
A gold mine for American history teachers, this presentation cascades through the middle of the 19th century with the central themes of moral and social reform. Between the blossoming Mormon church, the tightening of the Temperance...
Curated OER
Slavery and the Underground Railroad
Third graders discover racism in our country by investigating the Internet. In this abolitionist movement instructional activity, 3rd graders define the Underground Railroad and participate in an activity by logging on to an on-line...
Curated OER
The Abolitionist Movement: A Fight for Freedom
Sixth graders investigate the Civil War by identifying famous figures of the era. In this slavery abolitionist activity, 6th graders read a text on the history of the Civil War and discuss heroes of the era such as Harriet Tubman and...
Curated OER
Free African-Americans in Delaware
Students work in groups of two and review the Abolitionist Movement. They observe the manumission/city directory and discover what it is and why it is so important. They read the manumission aloud and discuss why they were freeing their...
Curated OER
The Abolitionist Movement
Eleventh graders examine a petition presented by the Quakers to the Delaware General Assembly in 1785 and an anti-slavery broadside published in 1836.
Library of Congress
Loc: African American Mosaic: Influence of Prominent Abolitionists
See documents and pictures of those actively involved in the anti-slavery movement. From the Library of Congress.
Library of Congress
Loc: African American Mosaic: Conflict of Abolition and Slavery
Historical documents trace how the abolitionists virulently decried slavery and denounced those who supported it.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Perspective on the Slave Narrative
A lesson plan focusing on the the historical context of slave narratives, "Perspective on the Slave Narrative" introduces students to the abolitionist movement and the slave experience.
Virginia Commonwealth University
American Transcendentalism Web: William Ellery Channing
This resource provides information about William Ellery Channing, including samples of his work.
University of Missouri
Famous Trials: Amistad Trials
This site discusses the history and significance of the Amistad trial. Make sure to click on the "cont." link for more information on the history of the case.
PBS
Pbs: Bleeding Kansas 1853 1861
This site details events surrounding the era known as "Bleeding Kansas" due to the conflict surrounding slavery in what is now Kansas.
Other
Alton Observer Report: Elijah Parish Lovejoy
This is the actual newspaper article that ran soon after journalist and minister Elijah P. Lovejoy was murdered by a pro-slavery mob. Very interesting.
Other
American Abolitionism Project: A Brief History of American Abolitionist Movement
Provides a short history of the American abolitionist movement, and breaks the movement down into different categories of abolitionists and some key people involved in each group. Includes links to additional information.
University of North Carolina
Unc: Harriet: The Moses of Her People
E-text of a book with primary and secondary source information about Harriet Tubman by Sarah Bradford published in 1886. RI.9-10.7 different mediums
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia: My Escape From Slavery
The full text of a famous work by Frederick Douglass that made a huge impact on the abolitionist movement.
Library of Congress
Loc: Today in History: June 5: Uncle Tom's Cabin
Learn about the publishing history and impact of Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin," which was first serialized, then published as a complete work, then given new life as a theatrical production.
Other
Suny New Paltz: Sojourner Truth Library: Sojourner Truth Records
Featured is an archive of documents relating to 19th century abolitionist and feminist, Sojourner Truth. Includes a brief biography, pictures, narratives, maps and other materials relating to her life.
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Woman's Suffrage Timeline
Learn the history of women's suffrage with this interactive timeline.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Harriet Tubman: Abolition Activist
In this lesson plan, by examining two primary sources and watching a short video, students will become familiar with the remarkable bravery and extraordinary accomplishments of the "Moses of her people," Harriet Tubman.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Sojourner Truth
Learn about Sojouner Truth's eventful life from runaway slave to advocate for freedom and fairness. The first African American woman to speak out against slavery in public. (In Spanish)
Emory University
Lewis H. Beck Center: Child, Lydia: The Stars and Stripes: A Melodrama
Read Lydia Maria Child's "The Stars and Stripes: A Melodrama." This play, originally published in the National Antislavery Standard (1853), served as propaganda for the abolitionist movement.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Abolitionists
Outline of the beginning of the Abolitionist Movement in a pre-Civil War America as part of the sectional conflict between the North and South.
British Library
British Library: The Slave Trade
An article describing the historical background to the Abolitionist movement in England, giving details on the slave trade and more.
Other
Alton, Illinois: Elijah Parish Lovejoy
Biography on minister, journalist, and anti-slavery spokesperson Elijah Lovejoy, who was killed by a mob when he was 34. This well written bio focuses on the events on the night of his death.