Lesson
The Origins of American Slavery
Guiding question
How did enslaved and free Blacks resist the injustice of slavery during the colonial era?
Founding Principles
Virtues
Objectives:
- Students will define the principle of justice.
- Students will articulate how slavery was at odds with the principle of justice.
- Students will explain how enslaved men and women and free Blacks resisted the injustice of slavery.
- Students will summarize the main ideas of historic texts.
- Students will create arguments supported by evidence from primary sources.
Materials
Student Resources:
- Background Essay
- Glossary
- Anticipate: Defining Justice handout
- Primary Sources
- Graphic Organizer and Discussion Questions
- Extension Activity: Indentured Servitude
Teacher Resources:
Lesson Components
How did enslaved and free Blacks resist the injustice of slavery during the colonial era?
Lesson plan
Key Terms
- Coerced
- Atlantic System
- Execrable
- Middle Passage
- Natural rights
More Information
Facilitation Notes:
- Some components of this lesson contain terminology that is no longer used because the terms are recognized to be offensive or derogatory. These terms are retained in their original usage in order to present them accurately in their historical context for student learning, including understanding why these are not acceptable today.
- This activity focuses on slavery in colonial Virginia. The primary sources in this case study are meant to show students the complexity and nuance of these systems in the 17th and 18th centuries as they existed in Virginia. Slavery in other places in the British Empire would vary and may not represent slavery in those places.
- Glossary terms for this lesson are on a separate handout. The terms are also defined on each source prior to the historical context or introduction for each source.
Standards
Related materials
How can we talk about founding principles of liberty and equality without accounting for slavery? To explore this question, Mary went to George Washington’s Mount Vernon just outside of Washington, DC, and spoke with Director of Interpretation, Jeremy Ray. What does the design of the Greenhouse Slave Quarters reveal about the two sides of the plantation: the ornamental, public-facing greenhouse side and the functional, behind-the-scenes side where the people held in bondage lived? How can visiting historical places like Mount Vernon help us grapple with our complex story?
Dive into some of the most important speeches and documents from United States history. These videos dissect these documents, define key terms, and explore the lasting impact of the featured documents.