Take a look at an image of the constitutional amendment that put an end to slavery in the United States. Interactive image is accompanied by an overview of the amendment's inception and adoption, as well as document transcript.

A detailed lesson plan of Abraham Lincoln to celebrate the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth. In a PDF file, the complete lesson is provided along with visual aides needed for the lesson. Draws on photographs and masks of Lincoln's face and discusses their significance in terms of his activities in office.

Through two primary source activities and watching a short video, students will learn about Booker T. Washington's commitment to African American education, and assess his ideas about how to achieve equality for African Americans in the years after the Civil War.

The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) provides an elaborate overview of Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. Content includes detailed background information behind the document, photos of the original document, a full transcript, and an audio clip of a former slave discussing work and living conditions after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Image of handwritten copy of Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, accompanied by an explanation of the speech's purpose, impact, and role in American history.

Through two primary source activities and a short video, understand how Douglass stood firm in his beliefs and rose to prominence, and explore the importance of literacy in his life.

Students will use an 1861 map and the Emancipation Proclamation to learn where slavery ended, what states still allowed slavery, and what states did not allow slavery. Follow-up questions will promote higher-level learning by requiring students to recogni

[Free Registration/Login Required] Tour the online original documents that tell a story about the abolition of slavery in both the United States and England. Click on the tiny "next" above the text to go through the interactive.

What changed Lincoln's mind about slavery? Examine President Abraham Lincoln's mixed motivations for issuing the Emancipation Proclamation. [4:38]

Learn how with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation the war merged with the abolitionist cause. The Proclamation had included an unexpected clause: at last, black men could enlist in the armed services of the United States. [2:52]

Letters and narratives of slaves freed at the end of the Civil War. An interesting look at the confusion and eagerness which confronted these newly freed Americans.

U.S. History is designed to meet the scope and sequence requirements of most introductory courses. The text provides a balanced approach to U.S. history, considering the people, events, and ideas that have shaped the United States from both the top down (politics, economics, diplomacy) and bottom up (eyewitness accounts, lived experience). U.S. History covers key forces that form the American experience, with particular attention to issues of race, class, and gender.Senior Contributing AuthorsP. Scott Corbett, Ventura CollegeVolker Janssen, California State University, FullertonJohn M. Lund, Keene State CollegeTodd Pfannestiel, Clarion UniversityPaul Vickery, Oral Roberts UniversitySylvie Waskiewicz

Kim and Sal talk about the Emancipation Proclamation. [10:10]

Khan Academy learning modules include a Community space where users can ask questions and seek help from community members. Educators should consult with their Technology administrators to determine the use of Khan Academy learning modules in their classroom. Please review materials from external sites before sharing with students.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Explain what is meant by the term “total war” and provide examples
Describe mobilization efforts in the North and the South
Explain why 1863 was a pivotal year in the war

The Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia offers biographical information on Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865 CE), including short-answer basics and a "Life in brief."

Assess how the Emancipation Proclamation expanded ideas of freedom and liberty, looking at the antislavery debate that led to the proclamation, the influences on Lincoln's decision, and the provisions of the document. In this interactive lesson from WGBH, students develop a written argument in response to the question "In what ways did the Emancipation Proclamation expand ideas of freedom and liberty in America?" They gather evidence from videos featuring historian Ben Weber and from primary source documents, images, and artifacts.