Procedures

• SET UP

  This lesson offers several options for you to use with your students whether you are teaching in class, using a hybrid model, or engaging through distance learning. It can be completed in steps as a class, or students can move at their own pace and complete the activities independently. You can post links to the videos in the lesson along with the related Graphic Organizer and engage in discussion to share responses on a discussion board or learning management system.

  You can also save and share the following Google resource for students to use with this lesson.

  Graphic Organizer: Congress Investigates: Ku Klux Klan Violence During Reconstruction (Google Doc)

  In Google, choose "File" then "Make a Copy" to get your own copy. You can make any needed adjustments in the instructions such as which activities students need to complete, when it is due, etc. and then make it available to them via Google.

• WARMUP

  Pose the following question to your students, directing them to record their response on the Google Doc, share with a partner, and then with the class if they choose.

  • Following the Civil War, what were some of the challenges the country was facing during Reconstruction?
  • What is the purpose of an investigative committee?

• VOCABULARY

  Direct your students to their graphic organizers to view and define the vocabulary terms that will appear in the lesson in the chart in their graphic organizer handout. The vocabulary words are also listed to the right on this webpage.

  We recommend having your students complete the activity in a jigsaw format to save time. Or, depending on time and resources, you may consider having your students engage in a Frayer's Model activity, where each student is responsible for completing one or two items. Students can then post their models around the room for reference throughout the lesson.

  Note: this is not an all-encompassing list of terms included in each video. We recommend you preview the video clips to determine any necessary additions/subtractions to this list for your specific students.

• INTRODUCTION

  Play the following two video clips that highlight what was occurring in the country in 1871. Students can take notes on the handout. Use the accompanying questions to engage in class discussion.

  Video Clip 1: Reconstruction in 1871 (2:43)

  Author Shawn Leigh Alexander discussed what was occurring in the U.S. during Reconstruction during this time.

  • How does Shawn Leigh Alexander describe what occurred during Reconstruction around 1871?

• Video Clip 2: Reconstruction and Freed Enslaved People (4:53)

  Shawn Leigh Alexander talked about the lives of freed enslaved people following the Civil War, perceptions among Americans and the increase in violence.

  • How does Shawn Leigh Alexander characterize the lives of freed enslaved people following the Civil War?
  • What was the population of freed enslaved people at the time?
  • How does he describe the perception among white Americans regarding freed enslaved people during that time?
  • Was racial violence increasing in the South at that point? Why?

• EXPLORATION

  Direct students to the Exploration section of their handout and have them view the following collection of video clips. They can watch each video independently, view a video with a partner, or you can jigsaw them by assigning videos to students. Students should respond to the prompts on the handout and be prepared to engage in class discussion.

• Video Clip 3: Formation of the KKK (6:11)

  Author Elaine Frantz Parsons discussed the formation of the Ku Klux Klan.

  • Explain how the Ku Klux Klan emerged as Elaine Frantz Parsons discussed.

• Video Clip 4: How Congress Addressed Racial Violence in 1871 (2:54)

  Shawn Leigh Alexander discussed how the issue of racial violence was brought to the attention of Congress in 1871.

  • How did the issue of racial violence get the attention of Congress in 1871?

• Video Clip 5: Congressional Investigations During Reconstruction (6:51)

  Shawn Leigh Alexander talked about the congressional investigations in the southern states following a wave of violence against freed enslaved people and others.

  • Were the congressional hearings publicized? Describe the reactions to the hearings as Shawn Leigh Alexander explained.
  • Where were the hearings held?
  • Who served on the committee?
  • How did the responses vary?
  • Why is this considered "one of the first modern investigations conducted by Congress?"
  • How long did the hearings last?
  • Were people reluctant to appear before this committee?
  • Were reparations brought up during the hearings?

• Video Clip 6: Ku Klux Klan Violence (8:34)

  Author Kidada Williams talked about the violence of the Ku Klux Klan and the reaction among African Americans. She shared one family's tragic experience that occurred on June 6, 1871 and how Congress reacted to the violence that was occurring.

  • How does Kidada Williams describe clan violence?
  • According to Kidada Williams, how did African Americans resist this violence?
  • How does Kidada Williams characterize Reconstruction?
  • Summarize what happened to Abe and Eliza on June 6, 1871.
  • How did Congress react?

• Video Clip 7: Witness Testimony During the 1871 Ku Klux Klan Hearings (4:09)

  Kidada Williams talked about the significance of witness testimony during the congressional hearings on Ku Klux Klan violence.

  • Explain the significance of witness testimony during the hearings as Kidada Williams discussed.
  • According to Kidada Williams, what was "the big lie of the 19th century?"

• Video Clip 8: Witness Statements from Ku Klux Klan Hearings (7:16)

  Shawn Leigh Alexander reads an excerpt from the Congressional Record that highlighted witness statements from the Ku Klux Klan hearings.

  • Summarize the testimony that Shawn Leigh Alexander read in the clip.
  • How does he describe the attacks that occurred?
  • Explain the reference to the Democratic tickets.
  • What was President Grant's perspective on the hearings?

• Video Clip 9: Repercussions for Testifying at the 1871 Congressional Hearings (1:52)

  Shawn Leigh Alexander discussed the importance of witnesses testifying and "naming names" during the congressional hearings in 1871.

  • Explain the significance of witnesses testifying at these hearings and the impact it had as Shawn Leigh Alexander discussed.

• Video Clip 10: News Coverage and Public Reaction to the Ku Klux Klan 1871 Hearings (2:36)

  Shawn Leigh Alexander talked about the news coverage of the Ku Klux Klan hearings in 1871 as well as some criticisms of the committee.

  • Describe the news coverage of the hearings.
  • What were some of the criticisms of the committee?

• CONCLUSION

  Direct students to the Conclusion section of their handout and have them view the following video clip. Students should respond to the related prompt on the handout and be prepared to engage in class discussion.

  Video Clip 11: Conclusions from the Ku Klux Klan 1871 Hearings (1:36)

  Shawn Leigh Alexander discussed the conclusions of the hearings.

  • What were the committee's conclusions after conducting the hearings?

• REFLECTION

  Have students consider the information they learned from viewing the videos as well as class discussion and write a response to the following prompt:

  Explain the significance and impact of the joint House-Senate committee that investigated the violence against freed enslaved people and others in 1871.

  Students should be sure to include evidence from the video clips in the lesson.

• EXTENSION ACTIVITY

  Have students research a congressional investigation of their choice and identify why it was conducted and the outcome of the inquiry.

  They can access information about a variety of congressional investigations in this lesson plan and choose one to research and report on: What are Congressional Investigations?