This unit explores the complex period of Reconstruction following the Civil War, examining how the United States struggled to reunite the nation, extend rights to formerly enslaved people, and redefine citizenship. Students will engage with primary sources such as President Andrew Johnson’s First Annual Message and oral histories of formerly enslaved individuals, while also analyzing laws, cultural artifacts, and the rise of resistance through Black Codes and the Ku Klux Klan.

Through interactive timelines, essays, and lesson plans, students will consider different models of Reconstruction, evaluate the role of the Freedmen’s Bureau, and study the significance of constitutional changes like the Fifteenth Amendment. The unit highlights both the achievements and limitations of this era, culminating in the contested end of Reconstruction and its lasting legacy on American society.

By comparing historical perspectives and completing a scaffolded DBQ, students will practice critical historical thinking—assessing political debates, the lived experiences of African Americans, and the ongoing impact of Reconstruction on questions of equality, justice, and citizenship in the United States.