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Handout
Siteseen

Siteseen: Government and Constitution: 15th Amendment

For Students 9th - 10th
Short, simple summary with the full text of the 15th amendment that is about the right to vote.
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: The Reconstruction Amendments

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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.
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Handout
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Classroom: 15th Amendment Ratified

For Students 9th - 10th
The 15th Amendment was passed in 1870. A synopsis of what it stands for is presented here.
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Handout
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Gilder Lehrman Institute: The Reconstruction Amendments

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An article that discusses the 13-15th amendments and their impact on social history.
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Website
Library of Congress

Loc: The Fifteenth Amendment

For Students 3rd - 8th
A brief description of the 15th Amendment.
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Primary
Thomson Reuters

Find Law: u.s. Constitution: Fifteenth Amendment

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Lesson Plan
South Carolina Educational Television

Know It All: Reconstruction Amendments

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders will complete research on one of the Reconstruction amendments then create a project demonstrating their knowledge of that particular amendment as if they are supporting that amendment during the era it was created. Their...
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Graphic
Curated OER

The 15th Amendment. Celebrated May 19th 1870.

For Students 3rd - 8th
A brief description of the 15th Amendment.
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Civil War & Reconstruction

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The Civil War and Reconstruction Era brought about the end of slavery and the expansion of civil rights to African Americans through the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. Compare the Northern and Southern states, discover the concepts of...
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court decision that determined that Dred Scott, having lived in a free territory, was not entitled to his freedom. Students learn about the impact of the Court's decision, and how it was...
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Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: The Vote, Making of African American Identity: V. 2

For Students 9th - 10th
An appeal for black voting rights and an editorial cartoon opposing them. This resource explains that while the 15th Amendment granted black men the right to vote, southern states fought to block its implementation.
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Unit Plan
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Citizens: African American Identity: 1865 1917

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the efforts of African Americans to be recognized as equal citizens after the Civil War, and the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. Includes links to supplemental information.
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Website
Other

Black Baltimore 1870 1920: The Fifteenth Amendment Parade and Celebration

For Students 3rd - 8th
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.
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Interactive
iCivics

I Civics: Games: Do I Have a Right?

For Students 9th - 10th
Play this game from iCivics that requires an understanding and application of the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution, and a few other amendments to argue and win cases the clients bring into the law firm. There...
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eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: Radical Reconstruction, 1867 1872

For Students 11th - 12th
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...
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Unit Plan
CPALMS

Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: The Civil War's Legacy

For Students 11th
In this tutorial, students look at how the Civil War ended and the impact on the North and the South and on the future of the United States. The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution are also examined for how they came...
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Activity
US National Archives

Nara: Presidential Election Laws: Presidential Election Laws

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Website
US Government Publishing Office

Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Learning Adventures: The History and Process of Voting

For Students Pre-K - 1st
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...
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Handout
Other

Basd: Reconstruction [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
A very clear document outlining the various reconstruction plans, the problems for both whites and blacks during Reconstruction, and the amendments added concerning the abolition of slavery, civil rights, and suffrage. Requires Adobe...
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Activity
US Department of Justice

Introduction to Federal Voting Rights Laws

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Lesson Plan
US National Archives

National Archives: Extending Suffrage to Women

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The passage of the 15th Amendment sparked the Women's Suffrage Movement. Students will analyze documents pertaining to the Suffrage Movement such as letters from prominent suffragists, anti-suffrage postcards, photos from parades, and...
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Lesson Plan
US National Archives

Docsteach: Extending Suffrage to Women

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this activity, young scholars will analyze documents pertaining to the women's suffrage movement as it intensified following passage of the 15th Amendment that guaranteed the right to vote for African American males. Documents were...
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Website
Scholastic

Scholastic: u.s. Constitution Changes With the Times

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Clear, concise overview of the "voting" amendments to the Constitution. Includes quotes from 20th century Justices and Presidents about Amendments they thought were needed.
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Website
Other

Historical Boys' Clothing: The American Civil War: Reconstruction

For Students 9th - 10th
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...