THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION AND THE THIRTEENTH AMENDMENT

In this lesson students will study the Emancipation Proclamation and its effect on slavery and abolition. Students will also learn how the Emancipation Proclamation led to the Thirteenth Amendment.

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives: 

Students will analyze primary source documents to learn about the Emancipation Proclamation and its connection to the Thirteenth Amendment.

Essential and guiding questions: 
  • What were the limitations of the Emancipation Proclamation and how did it lead to the Thirteenth Amendment?
  • How did the public view the Emancipation Proclamation?

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Applying
Extension suggestions: 
  • Have the students study the Emancipation print, and the Behold Oh! America, Your sons print. Have them write a paragraph that answers the following questions: Is Lincoln presented as a hero or a villain? What are the similarities in the portrayals? What is the audience for the prints? Do you think the artists are Union sympathizers or Confederate sympathizers?
  • Have the students read editorials from Harper’s Weekly 13th Amendment website. Ask them to write their own editorial about whether the 13th Amendment is needed to abolish slavery.
  • Have the students create a print commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation in 2013. 

Helpful Hints

Materials Used:

  • Primary Source Analysis Tool
  • Analyzing Photographs and Prints Teachers Guide
  • Analyzing Political Cartoons Teachers Guide