A Guide to Primary Resources for U.S. History : Exodusters Territorial Kansas Online These images from Harper's Weekly represent the African-American exodus into Kansas following the Civil War. Have students reflect on the life of slaves who were suddenly freed. How were they supposed to live after a life of slavery? Make a list as a class of possible options for African Americans after the Civil War. Display the pictures for students and have them right down initial reactions, and explanations for what is going on in the illustrations. Write the word "Exodusters" on the black board. Have students brainstorm the meaning of the term by breaking it down into parts, and then show the path that African Americans traveled from the southern states to Kansas on a map. How might these gatherings of African Americans develop culture separate from that of slavery plantations? Use the images to introduce a lesson on the incorporation of minorities into westward expansion, and how the increased population in the territories from the African American migrations led to the formation of new states. Have students pick one of the pictures and write a newspaper article to go along with the image. Students should use the information depicted in the picture and their knowledge of the African American movement westward.

Exodusters
Territorial Kansas Online

Description: These images from Harper's Weekly represent the African-American exodus into Kansas following the Civil War.

Teaching Tips:

"Do Now" Suggestions

Have students reflect on the life of slaves who were suddenly freed. How were they supposed to live after a life of slavery? Make a list as a class of possible options for African Americans after the Civil War.
Display the pictures for students and have them right down initial reactions, and explanations for what is going on in the illustrations.
Write the word "Exodusters" on the black board. Have students brainstorm the meaning of the term by breaking it down into parts, and then show the path that African Americans traveled from the southern states to Kansas on a map.

Suggestions for Using this Resource as Part of a Lesson

How might these gatherings of African Americans develop culture separate from that of slavery plantations? Use the images to introduce a lesson on the incorporation of minorities into westward expansion, and how the increased population in the territories from the African American migrations led to the formation of new states.
Have students pick one of the pictures and write a newspaper article to go along with the image. Students should use the information depicted in the picture and their knowledge of the African American movement westward.