_Virginia Standard of Learning (SOL): VS.7c: Students must demonstrate knowledge of the issues that divided our nation and led to the Civil War by c) describing the roles played by whites, enslaved African-Americans, free African-Americans, and American Indians.
Students will become public citizens and officials, archeologists, and historians/historic preservationists to explore the relatively unknown story of enslaved African-American Gabriel Prosser and his failed attempt to lead a slave rebellion in the city of Richmond, Virginia (former capital of the Confederacy). They will also discover more about Richmond's African burial ground, Lumpkins Jail, and the city's historic slave trail. Based on their research, students will develop ideas and insights relative to their characters. They will then express those opinions in a letter to the editor of a newspaper and present their views in a mock city hall meeting, in which they will discuss how to best preserve this historical area. In so doing, they will explore contemporary historical preservation issues that attempt to recognize Richmond's central role in the slave trade and the historical importance of enslaved Africans and African-Americans buried in Shockoe Bottom.
This unit is suitable for adaptation for older students learning about American History, African-American History, the Civil War, and historic preservation.
Students will become public citizens and officials, archeologists, and historians/historic preservationists to explore the relatively unknown story of enslaved African-American Gabriel Prosser and his failed attempt to lead a slave rebellion in the city of Richmond, Virginia (former capital of the Confederacy). They will also discover more about Richmond's African burial ground, Lumpkins Jail, and the city's historic slave trail. Based on their research, students will develop ideas and insights relative to their characters. They will then express those opinions in a letter to the editor of a newspaper and present their views in a mock city hall meeting, in which they will discuss how to best preserve this historical area. In so doing, they will explore contemporary historical preservation issues that attempt to recognize Richmond's central role in the slave trade and the historical importance of enslaved Africans and African-Americans buried in Shockoe Bottom.
This unit is suitable for adaptation for older students learning about American History, African-American History, the Civil War, and historic preservation.