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Era Overview

When the Civil War ended, the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution outlawed slavery in Texas. Yet three far-reaching questions still had to be answered, and the struggles over these questions would define Texas during the period of Reconstruction (1865-1876).

First, what would become of the newly freed 230,000 African Americans in Texas? They were no longer enslaved, but were they to become citizens or perhaps something else? Second, what was to become of the ex-Confederates in Texas who had waged war against the United States? Were they to regain their citizenship or perhaps take on a different status? Third, how would the United States restore states like Texas to the American Union? Was Texas to regain its full political representation immediately after the war, or would there be punishment for having rebelled against the United States?

During the first part of Reconstruction, commonly called “Presidential Reconstruction,” President Andrew Johnson attempted to answer these questions. Johnson promised that states like Texas could rejoin the Union simply by ratifying the 13th Amendment, he offered a pardon to nearly all ex-Confederates so they could regain their citizenship, and he left the status of African Americans to be decided by their former masters. Anglo-Texans, as a result, quickly passed laws that denied citizenship rights to the former slaves and elected ex-Confederate political leaders to represent Texas in the U.S. Congress.

All of this angered Northerners and led Republicans in the U.S. Congress to forcibly take over Reconstruction policy, which began a new phase commonly known as “Congressional Reconstruction.” After putting Texas and the other ex-Confederate states under military rule, the Congress stated that Texas could not be represented by ex-Confederates and could not rejoin the Union until it ratified the 14th Amendment, which gave African Americans citizenship rights under the Constitution. The Congress also passed the 15th Amendment that defined voting rights. In so doing, the U.S. Congress attempted to ensure citizenship rights for African Americans while reducing the political power of ex-Confederates in states like Texas.

Anglo-Texans reacted with outrage. Some ex-Confederates joined groups like the Ku Klux Klan and used violence to try to intimidate African Americans and their white Republican allies in Texas. These Anglo-Texans also organized themselves politically and, by the mid-1870s, began to regain political power within the state. In 1876, ex-Confederates passed a new Texas constitution that stripped power out of the state government in an effort to undo much of what the Republican Party had brought to Texas during Reconstruction.

Unit Level Downloads (English)

  • Unit Plan Unit Plan MS Word Unit Plan Adobe PDF

    Downloadable/Editable versions of the unit plan. Provides an Era Overview and pacing, and outlines each lesson’s estimated completion time, essential questions, a description of each lesson, and student learning experiences and activities.

Lessons

Most lessons contain downloadable and printable documents, activities, and other resources to aid in classroom instruction. Lesson materials are available in multiple formats and typically contain variations based on learning needs.

Reconstruction Unit Vocabulary

Students will know how to use social studies terminology correctly. Vocabulary includes terms, key people, and events of the Reconstructon period.

Vocabulary List Downloadable/Editable versions terms appear page.
Unit Plan # 1 45 min none 722A 75C

Reconstructon: The Civil War Ends and Reconstruction Begins

The era of Reconstruction, overlapping with the end of the Civil War, was met with many obstacles by the government as they sought to reunite the nation. This lesson will focus on the aftermath of the Civil War in Texas including the political, economic, and social effects that the war had on Texas.

Lesson Plan Downloadable/editable versions lesson plan.Hook Exercise This printable hook exercise focuses emancipation enslaved population United States, past experiences, future. Students will analyze drawing Harper’s Weekly illustrating Emancipation. Slideshow This ready use slideshow presentation contains essential questions, outline events issues took place Texas following Civil War beginning end war Constitution 1866. This presentation includes two primary source documents guided questions promote discussion among students.Guided Notes Students will use guided notes outline political, social, economic effects Texas Civil War.President Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address This printable primary source document analysis student activity provide context plans Reconstruction held President Lincoln, followed Johnson.General Gordon Granger’s General Order No. 3 This printable primary source document analysis focuses Gen. Granger's announcement Galveston June 19th, 1865, proclaiming emancipation enslaved people U.S.Exit Ticket This printable exit ticket provides formative assessment opportunity end lesson addresses main essential question - What political, economic, social effects Civil War?
Unit Plan # 2 60 min none 71A 75C 718A 720B 720D 76AELA

The Civil War Ends and Reconstruction Begins - Extension Lesson

In this extension lesson for Reconstruction: The Civil War Ends and Reconstruction Begins, students will conduct research and make plans after being “hired” by your local city or town to assist in planning a Juneteenth celebration for residents.

Extension Lesson Plan Downloadable/Editable versions lesson plan.Graphic Organizer The purpose graphic organizer students plan organize local Juneteenth celebration.
Extension 45-60 min none 718A

Reconstructon: The Challenges of Reunification

Reconstruction: The Challenges of Reunification focuses on how the United States proceeded in reinstituting states such as Texas back into the Union and the conditions that were in place to deal with seceding states.

Lesson Plan Downloadable/editable versions lesson plan.Hook Exercise This printable hook exercise focuses term reconstruction possible areas needed rebuilt Texas following Civil War.Slideshow This ready use slideshow presentation contains essential questions, timeline events beginning Lincoln’s Reconstruction Plan end Reconstruction era, two primary source documents guided questions promote discussion among students.Guided Notes The printable guided notes designed used conjunction presentation. Students will use graphic organizer create timeline events Reconstruction interact primary source documents.Texas Black Codes This printable primary source document 1866 may used conjunction first "Think-Pair-Share" activity slideshow presentation independently student activity provide context newly gained rights restrictions placed recently freed people.General Griffin's Letter Governor Throckmorton, 1867 This printable primary source document used conjunction second "Think-Pair-Share" activity slideshow (slide 17) independently document analysis.Exit Ticket This printable exit ticket uses three essential questions provide formative assessment opportunity end lesson.
Unit Plan # 3 120 min none 75C 722A 720D 76AELA 76CELA

The Challenges of Reunification - Extension Lesson

In this extension lesson for Reconstruction: The Challenges of Reunification, students can research the role of the Freedmen’s Bureau in Texas. Students will review a primary source letter to determine some of the problems that the Freedman’s Bureau were expected to resolve.

Extension Lesson Plan Downloadable/Editable versions lesson plan.Letter Samuel Q. Richardson Governor Hamilton This printable primary source document analysis student activity research role Freedmen’s Bureau Texas. Students will review primary source letter determine problems Freedman’s Bureau expected resolve.
Extension 45-60 min none 75C

Voices of African American and Women’s Perspectives

The period of Reconstruction is often referred to as a “failure” in its attempts to reunify the nation and advance equality for the newly freed black Americans. This lesson will focus on the influences and contributions of women and African Americans during the Reconstruction era to shed light on some of the positive actions and progress during the era.

Lesson Plan Downloadable/editable versions lesson plan.Hook Exercise This printable hook exercise focuses desire rights women expressed Reconstruction. Students will read study quotes leading woman’s rights leader Texas, Martha Tunstall.Slideshow This ready use slideshow presentation contains essential questions, contributions key groups individuals, one source document guided questions promote discussion among students.Guided Notes The printable guided notes designed used conjunction presentation. Students will use graphic organizer create timeline events Reconstruction interact primary source documents.Primary Source Analysis: Freedman’s Bureau, Circular No. 3 This printable primary source document may used conjunction first "Think-Pair-Share" activity slideshow presentation independently student activity provide context role Freedmen’s Bureau advancing education Texas.Exit Ticket This printable exit ticket uses three essential questions provide formative assessment opportunity end lesson.
Unit Plan # 4 60-90 min none 75C 720D 76AELA 76CELA

Voices of African American and Women’s Perspectives - Extension Lesson

In this extension lesson for Voices of Reconstruction: African American and Women’s Perspectives, students can research the roles of key African Americans and Women during the Reconstruction era, creating a mural that represents their findings.

Extension Lesson Plan Downloadable/Editable versions lesson plan.
Extension 60 min none 75C

The Impacts and Effects of Reconstruction in Texas

This lesson will examine the political, economic, and social impacts the period of Reconstruction, and students will learn about the shifting political climate in Texas and the development of new economic systems such as sharecropping, tenant farming, and convict labor; all used to rebuild the Texas economy.

Lesson Plan Downloadable/editable versions lesson plan.Hook Exercise This printable hook exercise focuses impact Reconstruction Texas. For engagement, consider making "analogy bags", including real-life object represented paper students select from.Slideshow This ready use slideshow presentation contains essential questions outline key events issues related impacts Reconstruction, two primary source documents guided questions promote discussion among students (see lecture notes within slides specific details).Guided Notes The printable guided notes specifically designed used conjunction presentation. Students will use graphic organizer create outline events issues related impact Reconstruction interact primary source documents.Two Schools: Image Analysis Activity This printable primary source document may used conjunction first "Think-Pair-Share" activity slideshow presentation. Students will analyze two photographs provide context importance education Texas, especially African Americans.The Thirteenth Amendment This printable student document used conjunction second "Think-Pair-Share" activity independently document analysis.Exit Ticket This printable exit ticket uses three essential questions provide formative assessment opportunity end lesson.
Unit Plan # 5 90-120 min none 75C 720B 720D 722A 76AELA 76CELA

The Impacts and Effects of Reconstruction in Texas - Extension Lesson

In this extension lesson for Impacts and Effects of Reconstruction, students investigate their own community’s leadership, to analyze the level of diversity in representation and how their communities have evolved over time.

Extension Lesson Plan Downloadable/Editable versions lesson plan.Research Guide Provide students printed copy research guide assist conducting online research local government. Students encouraged present findings class format choice (presentation, display, graphs, etc.).
Extension 45 min none

Maps

We've assembled the following list of maps that are applicable to the Reconstruction Unit.

Bacon's map of the United States

Bacon's map of the United States

"Map of the United States that shows railroads, military outposts, Pony Express and postal routes, and historical routes of exploration and commerce."

Colton's new map of the State of Texas : Compiled from J. De Cordova's large map

Colton's new map of the State of Texas : Compiled from J. De Cordova's large map

"Map shows counties, major roads and cities, areas of Native American habitation, and notable geographical features; only four counties shown for west Texas and Panhandle: Bexar, El Paso, Presidio, and unnamed 4th county."

Johnson's Texas

Johnson's Texas

"Map shows mid-nineteenth century Texas counties, roads, cities and towns, railroads, and areas of Native American habitation."

Bird's eye view of Jefferson Texas

Bird's eye view of Jefferson Texas

"Map shows late nineteenth century Jefferson, Texas street names, buildings, and riverboats. Includes key to numbered buildings."

Map of Fort Richardson, and vicinity, Texas

Map of Fort Richardson, and vicinity, Texas

"Map shows geography, roads, and buildings in Fort Richardson located in northern Texas during the late nineteenth century."

Richardson's new map of the state of Texas, prepared for the Texas almanac, 1873

Richardson's new map of the state of Texas, prepared for the Texas almanac, 1873

"Hand drawn color-shaded map showing counties, cities, rivers, creeks, railroads, roads, and topographical features of Texas as of 1872."

Map of Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas

Map of Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas

"Map shows late nineteenth century cities, railroads, military outposts, areas of Native American habitation, and geographic features in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and a portion of New Mexico and "Indian Territory" [Oklahoma]."

Map of Texas

Map of Texas

"Map of Texas and Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma), showing the Red River, the Brazos River, Fort Phantom Hill, Fort Chadbourne, and Fort Concho."

Videos

We provide videos for both continuing education and classroom use. Please see each video's descriptive page for related resources and details about accessibility and viewing options.

Preview of the Reconstruction Period
6 min.

Preview of the Reconstruction Period

The video discusses the challenges of Reconstruction in Texas after the Civil War, focusing on three major questions: the fate of ex-Confederates, the reintegration of seceded states, and the future of freed African-Americans. With no clear guidelines, debates raged over how to handle former Confederates, the return of political power, and the rights of freed slaves. Ex-Confederates attempted to regain control, leading to violent clashes with freed African-Americans, who were briefly empowered by military intervention and new voting rights, illustrating the turbulent and transformative nature of this period.

none none
Road to 'Redemption'
27 min.

Road to 'Redemption'

The period after reconstruction in Texas, covering: (1) Republicans in Texas, (3) Constitution of 1868, (3) Violence and the Klan, (4) The “Redemption” of Texas.

none none
Presidential Reconstruction
38 min.

Presidential Reconstruction

Civil War reconstruction in Texas, covering: (1) Three Major Questions, (3) Presidential Reconstruction, (3) Constitution of 1866, (4) Congress Takes Over Reconstruction.

none none

More Resources

The following list of resources provide additional information to help you dive deeper into the context of the unit. Books are linked to OCLC WorldCat, allowing you find a copy in your nearest local library or to make a request for it using interlibrary loan.

  • General

  • website Results for Reconstruction in The Portal to Texas History

    Digital copies of primary sources and other documents from our about this time period contributed to The Portal to Texas History by institutional partners from across the State.