National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: African American Communities in the North Before the Civil War
In this lesson plan, middle schoolers will consider "African-American Communities in the North Before the Civil War." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
PBS
Pbs: Free Black Revolutionary Patriots
Describes free African Americans who fought in the American Revolution. Also find related text: "Colin Powell on blacks fighting during the Revolutionary War," and a Teacher's Guide.
Other
African American Pioneers: Richard Allen
This page from Afgen.com contains the life history of Richard Allen. Richard was the founding bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Forever Free: 19th Century African American Legislators: 1880s Repression
This several page article recounts the black legislators in the Texas Congress and their attempts to address many issues affecting the African Americans in the state. Read about the Ku Klux Klan, convict leases, and segregation on railroads
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Forever Free: The 1870s: Matthew Gaines
Read about Matthew Gaines, an African American state senator from Texas during Reconstruction. Learn about where he stood on issues such as integrated education and taxation of specific groups, and why he was removed from office.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Forever Free: The 1880s: Elias Mayes
Elias Mayes was was an African American legislator in Texas during Reconstruction. Read about the committees he served on, his view on segregation, and some of the problems he faced.
US National Archives
Nara: Powers of Persuasion: United We Win
In spite of racial discrimination and segregation in the military and in civilian life, the overwhelming majority of black Americans participated wholeheartedly in the fight against the Axis powers. This site explores the posters,...
Black Past
Black Past: Forten, James (1766 1842)
An encyclopedia article about James Forten, a free black man, who fought in the Revolutionary War, and later became a supporter of abolition and suffrage.
Other
Augustine.com: Black History in St. Augustine: Fort Mose
The first sanctioned free black town was Fort Mose located near what is now St. Augustine, Florida. Learn about its rich historical background as a slave sanctuary and battleground.
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: History Now: The Importance of Muhammad Ali
[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn about the life and career of famous boxer Muhammad Ali while exploring his role in the civil rights movement. Also, discover his views on religion and politics and his legacy for being a positive...
Black Past
Black Past: Whipper, William
A brief encyclopedia article about William Whipper, businessman and abolitionist.
A&E Television
History.com: Black Heroes Throughout Us Military History
Meet the standout soldiers, spies and homefront forces who fought for America, from the Revolution to World War II. During the American Revolution, thousands of Black Americans fought -- on both sides of the conflict. As America's Civil...
Ohio History Central
Ohio History Central: Radical Republicans
A good description of the beginnings of the Republican Party before the Civil War, and the transformation to Radical Republicanism during Reconstruction as they attempted to guarantee equal rights for African Americans. Information is...
CommonLit
Common Lit: "The Story of Ida B. Wells" by Shannon Moreau
A learning module that begins with the biography "The Story of Ida B. Wells" by Shannon Moreau, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online...
Blackdog Media
Classic Reader: "Little Miss Sophie" by Alice Dunbar
Text of the short story "Little Miss Sophie" by American author Alice Dunbar. (Free site registration offers some additional features, e.g., the ability to insert annotations.)
Blackdog Media
Classic Reader: "M'sieu Fortier's Violin" by Alice Dunbar
Text of the short story "M'sieu Fortier's Violin" by Alice Dunbar. (Free site registration offers some additional features, e.g., the ability to insert annotations.)
Other
Galleria Carnivora
Leave your jackets in the Coat Check Room and then feel free to traipse through the Galleria Carnivora. Use this site to learn all you ever wanted to know about carnivorous plants.
University of Virginia Library
Prism: "Affrilachia" Visualization
[Free Registration/Login Required] See the results of how users have Frank X. Walker's "Affrilachia." Text details that are neutral are blue, African-American are red, and Appalachian are green. Click on any word to see the percentage of...
University of Virginia Library
Prism: "Kentucke" Visualization
[Free Registration/Login Required] Read Frank X. Walker's "Kentucke" and highlight details that are neutral in blue, African-American in red, and Appalachian in green. When finished, click save to see how others marked the text as well.