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Period: 1500 to
Atlantic Slave Trade
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Period: to
William Wilberforce
An English politician and leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. His efforts led to the Slave Trade Act of 1807, which abolished the slave trade in the British Empire. -
"The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano"
This is an autobiography published in 1789 by Olaudah Equiano, a freed slave, which vividly depicts the horrors of the slave trade. (Primary Source) -
The Passage of the Slave Trade of 1807
This British law made it illegal to engage in the slave trade throughout the British colonies. This was a significant turning point as it marked the beginning of the end of the legal transatlantic slave trade. -
Period: to
President Abraham Lincoln
He initiated the Reconstruction with the Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction in 1863, which outlined his plan for reunifying the country. (Historical Figure for the Reconstruction Era) -
Period: to
The Abolitionist Movement
A social and political push for the immediate emancipation of all slaves and the end of racial discrimination and segregation. Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and Sojourner Truth were among its leaders. -
Period: to
The American Civil War
The war was largely about the issue of slavery, and its end resulted in the abolition of slavery in the United States. -
The Emancipation Proclamation
Issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862, it declared that all enslaved people in the Confederate-held territory were to be freed. This changed the legal status of more than 3.5 million enslaved African Americans in the Confederate states from slave to free. (Primary Source) -
Lincoln's Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction
This document outlined Lincoln's plan for reunifying the country. -
The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
This amendment, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. It was a landmark in the fight for civil and political rights, as it legally ended the institution of slavery. -
The text of the 13th Amendment
The actual text of the amendment itself serves as a primary source document, marking the legal end of slavery in the United States. (Primary Source) -
Radical Republicans
This political group in Congress led the push for harsh punishments against the Southern states and for equal rights for freed slaves. Key figures included Thaddeus Stevens and Charles Sumner. -
Period: to
The Reconstruction Era
This was a period in U.S. history immediately following the Civil War, during which the Southern states were re-integrated into the Union and the civil and political rights of former slaves were established. -
The Adoption of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
This amendment officially abolished slavery in the United States, marking a significant turning point in civil and political rights. -
The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln's death led to the presidency of Andrew Johnson, who was more lenient towards the South, leading to conflicts with the Radical Republicans. -
The Reconstruction Acts
These acts set the terms for Southern states to be readmitted to the Union. -
Period: to
The Passage of the Reconstruction Acts
These acts dissolved the Southern state governments and divided the South into military districts, setting the terms for readmission to the Union. -
The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
Ratified in 1868, it granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States—including former slaves—and guaranteed all citizens “equal protection of the laws.” -
The Compromise of 1877
This ended Reconstruction, as federal troops were withdrawn from the South, effectively ending efforts to protect the rights of the former slaves. -
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
Founded in 1909, the NAACP became increasingly influential in the 1920s, fighting against racial discrimination and for civil rights for African Americans. -
Period: to
Writings from the Harlem Renaissance
Works by authors like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston serve as primary sources for this period of cultural expression. -
The Harlem Renaissance
This was a cultural, social, and artistic explosion centered in Harlem, New York, which was a significant expression of African American civil rights and cultural identity. -
Period: to
The 1920s
Often referred to as the "Roaring Twenties," was a decade of significant social, political, and cultural change in the United States. -
Ratification of the 19th Amendment
This granted women the right to vote, marking a significant expansion of democratic rights. -
The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
This amendment granted women the right to vote, marking a significant expansion of civil and political rights. -
Women's Suffrage Movement
This group of activists fought for women's right to vote, culminating in the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920. Key figures included Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. -
The Scopes Trial
This court case over the teaching of evolution in schools highlighted the tension between modernist and traditionalist views, with implications for freedom of thought and speech. -
Period: to
Martin Luther King Jr.
A Baptist minister and civil rights leader, King championed nonviolent resistance to segregation and racial discrimination. His "I Have a Dream" speech during the 1963 March on Washington became a symbol of the movement. King's leadership and advocacy for nonviolent protest significantly advanced civil rights during this period. -
Period: to
The Civil Rights Movement
This was a struggle by African Americans in the United States to end racial discrimination and gain equal rights under the law. It was one of the most significant social movements in U.S. history. -
Period: to
The 1960s
A decade marked by significant changes in civil and political rights in the United States, with the Civil Rights Movement and anti-Vietnam War protests being key events. -
The March on Washington
This massive rally for civil rights, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech, helped to bring about the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. -
Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech
This speech, delivered during the March on Washington, is a key primary source for understanding the goals and rhetoric of the Civil Rights Movement. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
This landmark legislation outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, marking a significant advancement in civil rights. -
Newspaper reports on the Voting Rights Act of 1965
These provide firsthand accounts of the act's passage and its impact. -
The Voting Rights Act of 1965
This act prohibited racial discrimination in voting, effectively enabling many African Americans in the South to vote for the first time. -
The Black Panther Party
Founded in 1966, this group advocated for the rights of African Americans and challenged police brutality. They played a significant role in the broader Civil Rights Movement.