The National Archives records can illustrate the many ways people have “made their mark” on history.
Category: Document Spotlights
New DocsTeach Activity: Petition Against the Annexation of Hawaii
Students analyze a petition signed by over 50% of the native Hawaiian population against becoming a part of the United States
Records of the Monuments Men at the National Archives
Films based on major historical events are often based on records from the National Archives. This is especially true with the upcoming film “The Monuments Men” which opens this Friday, February 7th.
To What Extent was Reconstruction a Revolution?
Reconstruction was a tumultuous period in American history, and the question of whether it produced lasting change in regard to civil rights is still debated by scholars. A DocsTeach Activity using primary sources allows your students to enter the debate and develop critical thinking skills by evaluating historical congressional records as historians. Available on DocsTeach.org, … Continue reading To What Extent was Reconstruction a Revolution?
Oh Freedom! William and Ellen Craft’s Escape from Slavery and Continued Search for Freedom
A new primary source activity introduces students to the Crafts, who escaped slavery and were pursued under the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850.
Kidnapping of Free People of Color
Abolitionist Elisha Tyson wrote to Congress with details on several kidnapping cases of free African Americans in the North who were sold into slavery under the guise of the 1793 Fugitive Slave Act. Tyson argued that federal legislation was necessary to address the problem.
The Documents Behind Twelve Years a Slave
Students can see part of Solomon Northup’s story, told in his 1853 autobiography and the new movie, Twelve Years a Slave, in documents found in the National Archives.
More Primary Sources in DocsTeach!
Several new documents have been added to DocsTeach over the past few months. Our former intern shares some of her favorite new additions.
What Effect Did the WWII Fair Employment Practices Commission Have on the Civil Rights Movement?
Today’s post comes from Joel Walker, education specialist at the National Archives at Atlanta. On December 31, 1942, the Counter Intelligence Section of the Seventh Naval District based in Jacksonville, Florida, distributed its monthly summary of subversive activities. On page two of the summary, under the heading "Activities Concerning Negroes," was printed a small paragraph … Continue reading What Effect Did the WWII Fair Employment Practices Commission Have on the Civil Rights Movement?
Considering Context in Primary Sources: The Art of John Trumbull
What is a Primary Source? In the very simplest terms, a “primary source” is described as any record that was created at the time of an event by someone who was there. In short, an eyewitness account of some kind. Perhaps it is a photo, map, letter, or other document such as a census record. … Continue reading Considering Context in Primary Sources: The Art of John Trumbull