United States History Student Edition

04

INQUIRY ACTIVITY

FLORIDA BENCHMARKS

Multiple Perspectives: Voices From Reconstruction: Changing Lives ? COMPELLING QUESTION What were the successes and failures of Reconstruction?

• SS.8.A.1.5 • SS.8.A.1.6 • SS.8.A.1.7 • SS.8.A.5.8

• SS.8.A.1.1 • SS.8.A.1.2 • SS.8.A.1.3 • SS.8.A.1.4

Plan Your Inquiry DEVELOPING QUESTIONS Think about what you have already learned about Reconstruction. Then read the Compelling Question for this lesson. What questions can you ask to help you answer this Compelling Question? Create a graphic organizer like the one below. Write your Supporting Questions in your graphic organizer.

Background Information The era of Reconstruction is recognized as a time of successes and failures. Among the failures was the continuing deep racial prejudice faced by formerly enslaved African Americans. This racism was evident in numerous state laws related to voting, housing, education, employment, land ownership, and public life. Racism also took the form of extreme violence carried out by groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. Still, Reconstruction had its successes. Some African Americans gained new positions of political power while others moved away from the South to other areas of the United States and established their own communities.

What this source tells me about the successes and failures of Reconstruction

Questions the source leaves unanswered

Supporting Questions

Primary Source

A B C D E F G

ANALYZING SOURCES Next, examine the primary sources in this lesson. Analyze each source by answering the questions that follow it. How does each source help you answer each Supporting Question you created? What questions do you still have? Write these in your graphic organizer.

In 1877, a small group of African Americans established the community of Nicodemus, Kansas. This 1885 photograph was taken in Nicodemus and shows townspeople, a general store, and the First Baptist Church (far left). Today, Nicodemus is a National Historic Site.

After you analyze the sources, you will: • use the evidence from the sources • communicate your conclusions • take informed action

Science History Images/Alamy Stock Photo

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