Lesson 2: A Look at Virginians During Reconstruction, 1865-1877

Objectives

Students will:

1. Use secondary sources to identify some of the problems Virginians faced during the period of Reconstruction following the Civil War

2. Recognize how the national government supported African Americans during Reconstruction

3. Use primary sources including a voter registry and a marriage license to appreciate how African Americans in Virginia exercised their newly won rights

4. Identify and interpret primary source documents

5. Determine cause and effect relationships

6. Sequence events in Virginia history

7. Interpret ideas and events from different historical perspectives.

Grade Level

4, 6 or 7, and 11

Duration

Estimated time is 2 class periods, but feel free to adapt this lesson to your needs.

Standards

Grade 4: Virginia Studies

VS.1 The student will develop skills for historical and geographical analysis and responsible citizenship, including the ability to
a) identify and interpret artifacts and primary and secondary source documents to understand events in history
b) determine cause and effect relationships
f) sequence events in Virginia history
g) interpret ideas and events from different historical perspectives

VS.8 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the reconstruction of Virginia following the Civil Was by
a) identifying the effects of Reconstruction on life in Virginia.

Grade 6 or 7: United States History II: 1865 to the Present  

USII.1 The student will develop skills for historical and geographical analysis and responsible citizenship, including the ability to: (a) analyze and interpret primary and secondary source documents to increase understanding of events and life in United States history from 1865 to the present.

USII.3 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the effects of Reconstruction on American life by: (a) identifying the provisions of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution of the United States; (b) describing the impact of Reconstruction policies on the South and North.

Grade 11: Virginia and United States History

VUS.1 The student will demonstrate skills for historical and geographical analysis and responsible citizenship, including the ability to: (a) identify, analyze, and interpret primary and secondary source documents, records, and data, including artifacts, diaries, letters, photographs, journals, newspapers, historical accounts, and art to increase understanding of events and life in the United States.

VUS.7 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the Civil War and Reconstruction Era and their importance as a major turning points in American history by (d) examining the political, economic, and social impact of the war and Reconstruction, including the adoption of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution of the United States.