LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

African American Studies

Goal 4: The learner will analyze the roles of African Americans during the Civil War and Reconstruction.

Objective 4.03. Analyze the effects of Reconstruction on the legal, political, social, cultural, educational, and economic life of freedmen.

Additional related resources

We’re in the process of aligning our content for students to the Standard Course of Study. As we do, you’ll find it here.

"The school houses are crowded, and the people are clamorous for more"
In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 8.4
American Freedmen's Union Commission pamphlet explaining the Commission's work in educating formerly enslaved African Americans after the Civil War. Includes historical commentary. Note: This source contains explicit language or content that requires mature discussion.
Format: pamphlet/primary source
School for Freed People
In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 8.3
During and after the Civil War, a movement to provide education to freed slaves began to take hold in the South. Despite the resistance of many whites, reformers such as The Reverend Samuel S. Ashley campaigned for the free education of all children, both black and white, in North Carolina.
Format: article
By Betty Dishong Renfer and Alex Sandifer.
The rise of the Ku Klux Klan
In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 10.3
Contemporary description of Klan violence in the Carolinas during Reconstruction, written by African American lawyer John Patterson Green. Includes historical commentary.
Format: book/primary source
Reuniting families
In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 8.7
Letters from Freedmen's Bureau agents seeking information on the whereabouts of family members of freed slaves. Includes historical commentary.
Format: letter/primary source
Republican rule
In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 10.1
Newspaper editorial praising the accomplishments of the Republican Party in North Carolina during Reconstruction. Includes historical commentary.
Format: newspaper/primary source
The Raleigh Freedmen's Convention
In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 8.6
Declaration of the statewide convention of freedman held in Raleigh, North Carolina, September 29-October 3, 1866. Includes historical commentary.
Format: declaration/primary source
John Adams Hyman
In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 9.12
John Adams Hyman, a former slave, became the first black U.S. Representative from North Carolina, serving from 1873 to 1875.
Format: biography
Governor Holden speaks out against the Ku Klux Klan
In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 10.4
Speech by North Carolina Governor William Woods Holden to the General Assembly, December 1869, asking for the power to declare martial law where needed to stop the violence of the Ku Klux Klan. Includes historical commentary.
Format: letter/primary source
The Freedmen's Bureau
In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 8.5
Report by Louisa Jacobs on her and her mother Harriet's work to educate freed people in Savannah, Georgia, after the Civil War. Includes historical commentary.
Format: letter/primary source
Conservative opposition
In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 10.2
Newspaper editorial attacking the Reconstruction-era Republican majority in North Carolina as incompetent and corrupt. Includes historical commentary.
Format: newspaper/primary source
The compromise of 1877
In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 10.8
After the disputed presidential election of 1876, Democrats in Congress agreed to certify a majority vote for Republican Rutherford B. Hayes if Republicans agreed to end military reconstruction.
Format: article
Charges of abuse
In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 8.9
Report of Freedmen's Bureau officials on charges of abuse of former slaves by their former owners in Wilson County, North Carolina, 1865. Includes historical commentary. Note: This source contains explicit language or content that requires mature discussion.
Format: report/primary source
Catherine Edmondston and Reconstruction
In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 9.7
Excerpts from the diary of Catherine Edmonston of Halifax County, North Carolina, 1865–66, in which she describes her frustration with emancipation and her family's attempts to control its former slaves. Includes historical commentary. Note: This source contains explicit language or content that requires mature discussion.
Format: diary/primary source
Commentary and sidebar notes by L. Maren Wood.
Black codes, 1866
In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 9.6
Excerpts of legislation passed by the North Carolina General Assembly after the Civil War to limit the freedoms of former slaves. Includes historical commentary.
Format: legislation/primary source
Commentary and sidebar notes by L. Maren Wood and David Walbert.
African Americans get the vote in eastern North Carolina
In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 9.9
After the Civil War, African American communities in eastern North Carolina, having already tasted freedom during the war, were ready to fight for political rights.
Format: article
Address to the Colored People of North Carolina
In North Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction, page 10.7
1870 broadside urging African Americans to support Governor William Woods Holden, then facing impeachment for his use of the militia to stop Ku Klux Klan violence. Includes historical commentary.
Format: poster/primary source
Commentary and sidebar notes by David Walbert.

General resources

Aligned lesson plans

Exploring the church in the southern black community
Students explore the Documenting the American South Collection titled, the “Church in the Southern Black Community.” Beginning with a historian's interpretation of the primary sources that make up the collection, students search the collection for evidence to describe the experiences of African Americans living in the south during the Antebellum through the Reconstruction Period centering on their community churches. The activity culminates in student presentations of a digital scrap book.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 and 10–12 Social Studies)
By Meghan Mcglinn.