Abolition of slavery (1)

Preparation and Planning

This subject of this lesson should be handled with care and sensitivity. The historical sources feature language that might be seen as racist and offensive when used today. Care should be taken to ensure that students understand this language is not acceptable in modern society. You should refer to the racism policy in place at your own school to ensure that students fully understand that these references should only occur in the context of this lesson and seek guidance on ways to tackle possible comments of a racist or prejudicial nature arising during this lesson.

About the MOD Topic

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Further Opportunities for Learning

Students can be encouraged to participate in a debate - with one side assuming the role of the abolitionists and the other side debating the position of the plantation owners.
Encourage students to research further a chosen case study of a slave using the internet. Students can then write a diary entry based on what they know about their figure. Possible figures for research include: Ellen Craft, Coffy, Cudjoe, Quobna Ottobah Cugoano and Olaudah Equiano.

Students can create a Facebook entry for one of the key figures involved in abolition. Research to be carried out on the internet and the entry should include key achievements for this figure.

This lesson presents an opportunity to look at the musical legacy of slavery, including field hollers and work songs. Field hollers were used by enslaved Africans during periods of physical isolation on plantations. Work songs were sung by enslaved Africans while they worked and were used to alleviate boredom. Some songs were part of a native heritage and sung to remind the enslaved Africans of home or as a means of registering dissent in a language their captors didnt understand, while others were instituted by the slave masters to raise morale or keep enslaved Africans working in rhythm. Much of the American blues tradition derived from work songs and the delivery of rap music owes much to the rhythmic acappella style employed in traditional work songs.

Student worksheet answers

Download the teachers notes PDF to access the answers for this lesson.