Arkansas and the Civil Rights Movement

Summary
A lesson on the history of slavery and school integration in state of Arkansas. The reading is accompanied by true/false questions.

Objectives
• To introduce students to key events related to slavery and school integration in the state of Arkansas.

Suggested Grades
4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade

Excerpt
Slavery was a critical issue in the United States from the beginning of the country. Founding Fathers and early presidents like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were Virginia plantation owners who also owned slaves from Africa. In the 1700s, the Founding Fathers did not see a conflict in stating that ?All men are created equal.? and owning slaves. Democracy and equality were new ideas in the 1700s in a world then ruled by royalty and dictators.

Arkansas and Slavery
By the early 1800s slavery was an issue that was already dividing the new nation. Southern states relied on slave labor to work large plantations and southern citizens were accustomed to this way of life. Meanwhile slavery was not allowed in most northern states and many people in those areas were opposed to slavery. At this time in American history there were an equal number of states that allowed slavery (Slave States) and those that didn?t (Free States).

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