Milwaukee College Prep
African American History: North and South, Slave and Free
An overview of the status and experiences of African Americans in the mid-1800s, both free and enslaved. Includes references to Frederick Douglass and his efforts to enlighten people about the discrimination and prejudice faced by...
University of Iowa
University of Iowa: Arts and Life in Africa: Sierra Leone
A record of statistics concerning modern day Sierra Leone, up to 1998. Scroll down to history section to see a brief, but informative description of pre-colonial and post-colonial history for Sierra Leone.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg: To Live Like a Slave
A great article written by a modern African American woman who reenacted her ancestor's life of slavery. Pictures and great insight into the life of a slave.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: African Americans in the British New World
Read about the transit of Africans from their homeland to the American British colonies to work on plantations in the south as part of leg in the triangular trade.
PBS
Pbs: This Far by Faith
Follow the spiritual journey of African Americans as you move along a timeline of major events and eras. Excellent coverage of the importance of spiritualism, religions, and faith in the African American community. Major religious...
Other
Missouri State Archives: Freedom Suits Case Files, 1814 1860
An exhaustive, searchable website with original court records on 300 legal petitions for freedom by people of color, originally filed in St. Louis courts between 1814 and 1860.
Black Past
Black Past: Absalom Jones (1746 1818)
In this encyclopedia article you can read about Absalom Jones and his role in the development of black churches in the United States.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg: The Two Williamsburgs
This lesson plan on daily life in Colonial Williamsburg challenges students to compare and contrast the lives of the African and European populations.
Black Past
Black Past: Douglass, Frederick
This encyclopedia entry gives a brief overview of the inspirational life of Fredrick Douglass, abolitionist, essayist, and promoter of rights for everyone. There are references to several of his stirring essays.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: The Slave Experience: Family
Using oral histories and primary sources, the story of slave family life is told.
CommonLit
Common Lit: Text Sets: Reconstruction to Jim Crow
After the Civil War and end of slavery, Americans had to decide how to integrate freed African Americans. Learn about the lives of African Americans from Reconstruction to the end of the prejudiced Jim Crow era. This collection includes...
US National Archives
Our Documents: Emancipation Proclamation (1863)
Image of handwritten copy of Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, accompanied by an explanation of the speech's purpose, impact, and role in American history.
Digital History
Digital History: Enslaved African Americans and Religious Revivalism
A brief look at the role of Christianity in the lives of slaves in the 1800s. See how evangelicalism was reflected in the way slaves practiced their religion.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: William Lloyd Garrison
This entry from Encyclopedia Brittanica's Guide to Black History features William Lloyd Garrison, an American journalistic crusader who published a newspaper, The Liberator (1831-65), and helped lead the successful abolitionist campaign...
PBS
Pbs American Masters: Scientific American: Following Muddy's Trail
This site has a lesson plan on Muddy Waters focused on the American Masters documentary about him. Parallels the Great Migration with the growth of the blues music movement in America. Click on Muddy's name to access a detailed biography...
Other
The Triangular Slave Trade Project: Teachers' Guide
Although this is promoted as a teachers' guide, this page offers a little history and a lot of project ideas related to triangular trade that could be very helpful to students as well.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: African Heritage: Frederick Douglass
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart aims to help students understand how Frederick Douglass's writing painted a powerfully negative portrait of life on southern plantations. It uses video as well as text to inform students.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: South Carolina
Explore how South Carolina moved from a "plantation culture" in 1670 to a "growing research center and banking state" today. South Carolina played a major role in the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.
New York Times
New York Times: Harriet Tubman's Path to Freedom
[Free Registration/Login Required] This site tells the story of Harriet Tubman's life and the development of the Underground Railroad. The author takes us on a journey to sites along the Underground Railroad, beginning at the farm where...
National Geographic Kids
National Geographic Kids: Harriet Tubman
An overview of the life of Harriet Tubman. This brave African American woman is most recognized for her vital role as a conductor for the Underground Railroad.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: David Walker
Brief life history of David Walker, an African-American abolitionist who was involved in the anti-slavery movement in the early 1820s.
Black Past
Black Past: Prosser, Gabriel
This interesting encyclopedia entry is about Gabriel Prosser, a slave, who planned a huge revolt to take over Richmond, Virginia and make a "Kingdom of Virginia." There is a link to a PBS website for more information.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: South Carolina Collection
The PBS South Carolina Collection features a range of digital resources tailored especially for Palmetto State teachers and students. Topics include early education, literacy, African American history, STEM, Common Core, and many more!
Other
Emory University: Trans Atlantic Slave Trade Database: Voyages
Take advantage of this thorough database covering all of the voyages which participated in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.