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Lesson

Origins of American Slavery, Resistance to American Slavery

Guiding question

How did enslaved people and free Blacks shape the cultural, social, and political landscape of the colonies?

Grade
6–8
Published
Jun 28, 2025
Tobacco plants with pink flowers against a clear blue sky.

Founding Principles

Natural/Inalienable Rights

Virtues

Courage

Objectives 

  • Students will explain how enslaved people and free Blacks resisted the institution of slavery and summarize the main idea of primary source texts.  

Materials

Student Resources:

Teacher Resources:

Lesson Components

ActivityOrigins of Slavery, Resisting Enslavement ​Middle School Primary Source​ Set

Explain how enslaved people and free Blacks resisted the institution of slavery and summarize the main idea of primary source texts.

ActivityResisting Enslavement in the Colonial World Middle School Graphic Organizer

Explain how enslaved people and free Blacks resisted the institution of slavery and summarize the main idea of primary source texts.

Lesson plan

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Standards

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Related materials

Slide titled "Origins of Slavery, Resistance to Slavery" on an orange background.
Educator ResourceOrigins of Slavery, Resistance to Slavery – Slide Deck

A pre-build slide deck to accompany this lesson.