Compare the meanings of "freedom" and "liberty." Students watch a video about what liberty meant to Thomas Jefferson, then consider different definitions of the word "liberty" by analyzing founding documents of both the United States and the state of Montana.
What are the "big questions" of Reconstruction? Article provides an overview of the Reconstruction period when Americans debated rights and the nature of freedom and equality. It focuses on who was an American and how citizenship should be defined.
An account of Boston King, an escaped slave who went behind British lines to obtain the freedom the British promised. Find out how he became free and how he spent the rest of his life. From PBS.
An interesting look at the compiling of the Book of Negroes, a register of those whom the British promised freedom during the course of the Revolutionary War. Find out why this was a component of the Treaty of Paris of 1783. From PBS.
A complete unit of ideas for Martin Luther King Jr. is featured with related lesson plans and activities.
Twenty nine primary sources-historical documents, literary texts, and visual images-that explore the qualities and conditions of African lives on the west coast before and during the European slave trade.
Sixteen primary sources-historical documents, literary texts, visual images, and audio material-that explore African American perceptions of freedom from Emancipation to the early-twentieth century.
During Reconstruction, three new amendments to the Constitution redefined freedom, citizenship, and democracy in the United States. But how much really changed? In this video, Kim examines continuity and change over time in the lives of African Americans in the South before and after Reconstruction. [6:48]
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.
This collection uses primary sources to explore the Underground Railroad and the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Digital Public Library of America Primary Source Sets are designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills and draw diverse material from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States. Each set includes an overview, ten to fifteen primary sources, links to related resources, and a teaching guide. These sets were created and reviewed by the teachers on the DPLA's Education Advisory Committee.
This is the United Nations site devoted to the topic of human rights. The visitor will find links to various declarations, treaties, and news releases.
This site from the University of Toronto provides the full text of 14 of Ambrose Bierce poems. Also included are brief notes on his life and works.
Students begin to explore African American history and the civil rights movement, serving as a launch for further discussions around discrimination, justice, and valuing individuals.
Human rights organization that uses modern media such as video, photos, and more, to educate the world about human rights violations.
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.