African Americans and the Confederacy
Free to teach as-is — the teacher guide, student handout, and slides are included.
Free — we'll email you an access link. Google Docs format.
Objective
I can explain how enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy resisted and weakened the Southern war effort during the Civil War.
Part 1 of 4
Warm-up video
TED-Ed · 4:43Vetted channel
We don't generate video — this one is by TED-Ed on YouTube. The practice questions and exit ticket below were drafted by AI for this objective, and every question is editable in the teacher guide.
Part 2 of 4
Key concepts
3 concepts
- 1
Between 1860 and 1861, 11 Southern states seceded from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America in response to the growing movement to abolish slavery.
- 2
The Lost Cause is a cultural myth that claims the Confederacy was not defending slavery, but rather defending the right of each state to choose whether or not to allow slavery.
- 3
The organization United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) played a key role in passing on the ideas of the Lost Cause to future generations by building monuments to Confederate soldiers and monitoring school textbooks to minimize the horrors of slavery.
Part 3 of 4
Practice
8 questions
According to the video, what did Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens declare was the cornerstone of the new Confederate government?
Explain how the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) promoted the 'Lost Cause' narrative.
Part 4 of 4
Exit ticket
Quick comprehension check
“Explain at least two specific ways enslaved African Americans resisted the Confederacy and weakened their war effort during the Civil War. Provide details to support your answer.”
Sample answer included in the free materials
Get the materials
Teacher guide, student handout, and slides — free, in Google Docs format
Teacher Guide
Complete lesson plan with answer keys and alternate activities
Student Handout
Printable worksheet
Slides
Ready to present
We'll ask for your email to send your access link — nothing else.
Teaching a group at a different level?
Where are your students right now? We'll rebuild this lesson to match — including the teacher guide, student handout, and slides, saved to your Google Drive.
Adapt This Lesson