Radical Reconstruction Video Lesson + Activity

Radical Reconstruction & the Great Betrayal Lesson

In this lesson, students learn about the second chapter of Reconstruction- Congressional (or Radical) Reconstruction. It quickly reviews Presidential Reconstruction before breaking down how Radical Republicans in Congress attempted to use federal power to transform the South and empower African Americans and how in the end, Reconstruction ultimately failed after 1877.

THIS VIDEO-LESSON INCLUDES:

1) Interactive, Follow-Along Notesheet
2) Quick Quiz
3) Extension Inquiry Activity:  Was Reconstruction a failure image analysis.

WHAT STUDENTS LEARN 

The driving question of the video is 'How did Radical Reconstruction try to protect Black rights and was it successful in the end?" Students review presidential reconstruction, black codes, and sharecropping before learning about how Congressional Reconstruction really tried to transform the South. 

Students learn about the 14 and 15 Amendments, the Freedmen's Bureau  and the creation of schools for freedpeople, Johnson's vetoes and impeachment, the rise of Black officeholders, and how the KKK and Redeemers eventually fought back and retook control of the South. 

***The lessons cover state-standards while making sure the content is still interesting.