Library of Congress
Loc: African American Odyssey: Reconstruction and Its Aftermath
From the Library of Congress, this resource documents the course of post-Civil War, post-slavery life for black Americans. Topics include education, constitutional amendments, voting rights and the many challenges African Americans faced...
![Digital History: The 14th Amendment and the Jim Crow Laws [Pdf] Website](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Digital History: The 14th Amendment and the Jim Crow Laws [Pdf] Website")
Digital History
Digital History: The 14th Amendment and the Jim Crow Laws [Pdf]
Read about the background of the passage of the 14th Amendment which resulted in the famous case before the Supreme Court, Plessy v Ferguson, almost thirty years later. Suggested student exercises ask students to assess the issue of...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The Fourteenth Amendment Part Ii
In this video segment from The Supreme Court, learn about the 1883 Supreme Court decision that marked the end of federal protections for individuals in states and the beginning of Jim Crow segregation.
McGraw Hill
Nation of Nations: Reconstructing the Union
Describes the reconstruction of the union. Includes the following sections: presidential reconstruction, congressional reconstruction, reconstruction in the South, Black aspirations,and the abandonment of reconstruction. From McGraw...
The History Cat
The History Cat: Reconstruction Era
Describes what the South was like after the Civil War ended. Many places were in ruins and people were desperately poor with many being homeless. Social structures had collapsed now that slaves had been freed. The Reconstruction era...
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: The Original 13th Amendment
Links to essays that debates the validity of the original 13th Amendment.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Provisions for Amendment
Outline of the history and processes required for changing or amending the Constitution.
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.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Radical Reconstruction
Read about the frustration the Radical Republicans in Congress had with the Reconstruction plans of Andrew Johnson. Find out what legislation they were able to pass over Johnson's veto, and how they attempted to protect emancipated...
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: What Is Freedom?: Politics and Reconstruction [Pdf]
A lesson plan from the producers of the 16-episode PBS series "Freedom: A History of US" that guides middle schoolers through an examination of the outcomes of the Civil War. Includes discussion prompts related to the effectiveness of...
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.
University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina: Constitution 101 [Pdf]
Provides a good basic introduction to the Constitution. Explains the founding principles, checks and balances, the rationale for it, the accomplishments of the Constitutional Convention, the debate and ratification, the structure of the...
Other
Historical Boys' Clothing: The American Civil War: Reconstruction
Outlines the major programs of the Reconstruction period after the Civil War, and the discrimination that African Americans faced, such as from the Black Codes and the Ku Klux Klan. Also discusses the amendments made to the Constitution...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The 1860s: Reconstruction
Here is an article on the Reconstruction, which touches briefly on several issues that arose during this period, specifically in Texas: President Johnson's Reconstruction plan, assimilation and rights of freed slaves, the 13th and 14th...
Then Again
Then Again: Web Chron: World History Chronology: The 14th Amendment Is Ratified
Read about the 14th Amendment and its impact on the lives of African Americans during Reconstruction and later.
Other
Black Baltimore 1870 1920: The Fifteenth Amendment Parade and Celebration
Contains a great picture and description of the Fifteenth Amendment parade that was held in Baltimore, to emphasize its importance. Provides links to other civil rights articles.
Other
Learning on Line: Lincoln's Reconstruction Plan
Part of a larger project about Abraham Lincoln as president, this page discusses the Reconstruction plans put forth by Lincoln, the Congress, and Andrew Johnson. Student comparison activity is included. Author is gifted education teacher...
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.
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...
University of Groningen
American History: Documents: The 13th Amendment
An original 13th amendment restricting lawyers from serving in government that was supposedly ratified in 1819 and removed from the U.S. Constitution during the Civil War.
George Mason University
Chnm: Reconstruction Era
The Republican actions during Reconstruction are summarized in this site from the Center for History and New Media.
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.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: "With Malice Toward None"
A four-page discussion of Reconstruction from the plans Lincoln made while the Civil War was still raging to the end of Reconstruction with the election of Rutherford B. Hayes.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1844 1877: Reconstruction: Black Codes
Discusses the Black Codes that white Southerners imposed on African Americans after the Civil War and the efforts by Republican politicians to protect their rights.