Smithsonian's History Explorer Resources Related To "Christian Fleetwood's Medal of Honor"

The Civil War

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:22:31 GMT

From 1861-1865, Americans battled over preserving their Union and ending slavery. The Civil War is the focus of this section of The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, an online exhibition. This pivotal and complicated period of American history is divided into sections that allow students to focus either on a specific aspect of the war, or the conflict as a whole. The sections included are: John Brown, Fort Sumter, the Battle of Bull Run, major turning points, the war at sea, Wilderness to Appomattox, political leaders, military leaders, soldiers in blue and gray; battles and casualties and Reconstruction and the legacies of the war. A non-flash version of this site is available: The Civil War.

Comparing Confederate and Union Soldiers in the Civil War

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 07:47:27 GMT

Use primary sources as the inspiration for comparing and contrasting the soldiers on either side of the Civil War. After examining uniforms and viewing two short video clips, students will develop questions and perform short research projects to uncover the motivations behind the Civil War and the conditions for the soldiers who fought. This lesson plan (which includes background information and full-color primary sources) was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

First Person Account: Spotswood Rice

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 17:45:31 GMT

Spotswood Rice, an African American Union soldier, threatens the Southern woman who holds his daughter as a slave.

This video is part of the Price of Freedom learning resources package for use with the Comparing Confederate and Union Troops lesson plan. It was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

The Lincoln-Keckley Dress: Slavery, Women's History, and Race

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:35:02 GMT

This object-based learning activity revolves around a dress that connects the lives of Mary Todd Lincoln and Elizabeth Keckley, a popular African-American dressmaker who lived in Washington, D.C at the time of the Civil War. Students will learn how one object can tell many different stories. The Lincoln-Keckley dress can be examined to learn about slavery, women's history and the realities of racial relations in America in the mid-nineteenth century. After exploring the Lincoln-Keckley dress and its importance as a source of historical information, students will visit the forum section of the site to hear NMAH curators and historians discuss the object and then use what they have learned to complete a virtual exhibit activity.

This resource is included in The Object of History, a cooperative project between the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History and George Mason University's Center for History and New Media.

Voices of Bull Run

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:32:40 GMT

This unit will introduce the first major clash in the Civil War--the Battle of Bull Run--and encourage students to consider the perspectives of ordinary citizens of the North and the South and the impact of this battle on their lives. The activities are based on the award-winning young adult novel Bull Run by Paul Fleischman.

Who Am I? A History Mystery

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 16:05:24 GMT

In this interactive game, students select a mystery character from the Civil War and examine objects that hold the key to their identity, video footage, first person reenactments, oral history interviews, and lesson plans. This resource was developed in conjunction with the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War.

The Brass Letters of Citizenship: Lincoln, African Americans and Military Service

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 10:59:48 GMT

Delve into the issue of military segregation with this archived panel discussion. In this video recording, experts discuss the African American military experience in the Civil War and the mid-19^th century. Then, take the issue into the modern day by comparing arguments surrounding the racial makeup of the United States military in the Civil War with the modern arguments around the "don't ask, don't tell policy." Compare how the military's integration of individuals with various backgrounds impacts American life.

This lecture is one in a series about issues that Abraham Lincoln faced as president that continue to confront the nation today.