Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: Activism in the Us
American sociopolitical activism became especially prominent during the period of societal upheaval which began during the 1950s. The African American civil rights movement led the way, soon followed by a substantial anti-war movement...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Sack of Lawrence
Read about how the destruction of Lawrence, Kansas, seat of the Free-Soiler government by border ruffians inflamed attitudes in the North toward the actions of the slave-holders.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Border Ruffians
Because of the terms of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, a election would be held to determine whether Kansas would be a slave or free state. Read about the fraudulent votes cast by the so-called border ruffians from Missouri, and see how Kansas...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Kansas Nebraska Act
Read about the essential repeal of the Missouri Compromise, which had established which states could be slave and which would be free for thirty years, with the rancorous passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. See who supported it and why,...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Dred Scott Decision
Read the terms of the Dred Scott decision which determined that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional. See why this decision was so controversial and completely unacceptable to the northerners, thus driving an additional wedge...
Yale University
Avalon Project: Declaration of the Secession of South Carolina
Full text of the declaration adopted by South Carolina as justification for its secession from the Union.
US National Archives
Our Documents: The Kansas Nebraska Act
An outstanding, interactive copy of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the legislation that repealed the Missouri Compromise. Historical context included, as well as links to larger images, a typed transcript, and a downloadable PDF file.
PBS
Pbs: Cet: Africans in America: The Raid on Harper's Ferry
PBS' four-part series, "Africans in America," highlights the antislavery movement, including a focus on John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry. Content includes a description of the event, as well as the after-effects including the news of...
A&E Television
History.com: How the South Helped Win the American Revolution
British commanders attempted to reverse their floundering fortunes by launching a campaign in the South. There the British would find not just crops such as tobacco, rice and indigo that were vital to their economy, but stronger Loyalist...
Other
Binghamton University: Lincoln, Labor and Liberation
The free labor ideology of the nineteenth century was grounded in the beliefs that Northern free labor was superior to Southern slave labor. It was this free labor ideology and not the republicanism of the Revolutionary War era that...
A&E Television
History.com: How Ancient Rome Thrived During Pax Romana
After decades of political dysfunction, civil wars and assassinations that caused the Roman Republic's downfall, Ancient Rome flourished during two centuries of relative tranquility and prosperity known as the Pax Romana (Latin for...
PBS
Pbs: American Roots Music
If teaching a unit about the history of popular music in America, this PBS web site supporting their four-part TV broadcast of a few years ago would make a great resource. Includes lesson plans and oral histories too.
University of Groningen
American History: Documents: Excerpts From "The Fugitive Slave Act"
This site titled, "From Revolution to Reconstruction," provides excerpts from the text of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, part of the Compromise of 1850.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: Impact of Dred Scott: Beginning Scott v Sandford
Explains the background for the Dred Scott case and its journey through the court system, finally reaching the US Supreme Court.
PBS
Africans in America: John Brown's Black Raiders
This page provides information on the black men who took part in John Brown's Raid. Includes quotes of associates referring to the men.
Digital History
Digital History: The Gathering Storm
A look at how the Northerners perceived the conflict between North and South, a conflict between people who were for freedom and and those who were for slavery.
Other
Minnesota Territory: The Treaty Story
Offers a brief explanation of the causes and results of the Sioux Uprising in 1862.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Colonialism
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students identify the Impacts of Colonialism - to include social, economic and political legacies and how these led to civil wars, dictators, and corrupt governments. Students grasp the complexity of...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Harriet Beecher Stowe
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Harriet Beecher Stowe, an American writer and philanthropist, the author of the novel Uncle Tom's Cabin, which contributed so much to popular feeling against slavery that it is cited among...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Wendell Phillips
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Wendell Phillips, an abolitionist crusader whose oratorical eloquence helped fire the antislavery cause during the period leading up to the American Civil War.
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: General Robert Patterson
General Patterson, born in Cappagh, County Tyrone, Ireland, January 12th, 1792, died in Philadelphia, Pa., August 7th, 1881. He was commissioned first lieutenant of infantry in the War of 1812, and afterward served on General Joseph...
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: General Thomas L. Crittenden
General Crittenden, born in Russellville, Ky., May 15th, 1815, studied law under his father, was admitted to the bar, and became Commonwealth's Attorney in Kentucky in 1842. He served in the Mexican War as lieutenant colonel of Kentucky...
Curated OER
Etc: Clip Art Etc: General Ormsby Mac Knight Mitchel
General Mitchel, born at Morganfield, Union County, Ky., August 28th, 1809, died at Hilton Head, S. C., October 30th, 1862, was graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1829. Immediately after his graduation he was made...