In this learning experience, the students will analyze multiple primary source documents as well as secondary information sources to understand this watershed event in Virginia and US History. The three men who will be studied in this experience ran away from their slave-holding captors and made their way to Fort Monroe. Upon arrival, military leadership at the fort claimed that the run-aways were enemy contraband and therefore could be confiscated by the Union forces. They were declared free through this war-time loophole and when the news spread, many other African Americans would soon start coming to Fort Monroe to claim their freedom as well.  Students begin by examining the records of enslaved people who ran away “to the enemy” (Union forces). Finally, students will use a Cost/Benefit analysis chart to guide their analysis of secondary information sources and develop an understanding of the concepts of resistance and a working knowledge of the event of Mallory, Baker, and Townsend sparking one of the first blows to the system of slavery.

Students will be competing to win a “grant.” Students will be creating a Canva presentation about what battle of the Civil War was the most important. Students should include important dates, people, and details about the specific battle. The students will use a planning paper prior to starting their presentation to create a step-by-step plan for their presentation. Their presentation should give clear information (dates, people, and details) about why the battle site they chose is the most important battle of the Civil War. Students will share the load in their project and split tasks among group members. Each group will be assessed with a rubric.