AP African American Studies Resource Archive | Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

A Black woman with black curly hair and red lipstick smiles at the camera. She wears a collared blue patterned shirt, and a suit jacket.

A History of the Enslaved Black Family

with Brenda Stevenson

Learn about the history of the Black family from the Middle Passage through Reconstruction.

Video

Illustration of crowd celebrating the abolition of slavery in Washington, D.C.

On Juneteenth

with Annette Gordon-Reed and Edward L. Ayers

Examine the story of Juneteenth, celebrating the end of slavery in the US, specifically in Texas–June 19, 1865.

Video

Scan of the front page of the Pacific Stars and Stripes Newspaper from August 30, 1963, featuring a large image of the 1963 March on Washington.

The March on Washington

with Bryson Bruce, Jermain Corbin, and Sandra Trenholm

Explore archival materials related to the March on Washington and the ensuing press coverage.

Video

The front page of a newspaper titled "The Independent Gazetteer; Or, The Chronicle of Freedom" and dated April 12, 1788.

Fighting for the Rights of Black Lives in the Founding Era

with Mandel Holland, Elijah Malcomb, and Sandra Trenholm

Explore the writings of Prince Hall and James Forten.

Video

Union troops, primarily African American, in blue uniforms, charging White Confederate troops in gray uniforms. An American flag waves in the center midground; a Confederate battle flag hangs in the left background.

The Massachusetts 54th

with Jermain Corbin and Sandra Trenholm

Explore the history of the Massachusetts 54th Volunteer Infantry.

Video

Screenshot of thumbnail of video, featuring the title on crumpled paper above a collage of archival photos.

African American Experiences, 1878-Present

with Kellie Carter Jackson, Charles McKinney, and Yohuru Williams

Dive into a panel covering African American experiences after Reconstruction with three historians.

Video

A woman with curly, short, black and auburn hair smiles at the camera in front of a brick background. She wears a blue top, gold hoop earrings, and glasses with black frames.

The Families Who Were Enslaved and Sold to Build the American Catholic Church

with Rachel L. Swarns

Learn the story about the 272 enslaved people who were sold to fund the construction of Georgetown University.

Video

Letter written in brown ink in cursive on yellowing paper.

John Quincy Adams and the Amistad Case

1840

Read a letter written by John Quincy Adams about his role in supporting the Amistad captives’ petition for freedom.

Primary Source

A black-and-white photograph of Robert Smalls, a goateed Black man, seated, wearing a dark jacket, bow tie, and vest (with pocket watch chain), and a white shirt.

Beyond the Battlefield: African American Contributions to the Civil War

with Elizabeth R. Varon

Learn more about the men, women, and children who contributed to the war effort through various means.

Video

Two African American men sitting in front of a tent, one with cigar and the other with a soup ladle.

African Americans and the Civil War

with Elizabeth R. Varon

Learn more about free and enslaved Africans’ contributions to the Union war effort.

Video

James Forten, Sailmaker

by Julie Winch

Read about James Forten, an African American craftsman and businessman in nineteenth-century Philadelphia who employed an integrated workforce.

Essay

Harriet, the Moses of Her People

1886

Read an authorized description of Tubman’s escape written by a White woman who had interviewed Tubman.

Primary Source

AP African American Studies Resource Library

A History of the Enslaved Black Family

with Brenda Stevenson

On Juneteenth

with Annette Gordon-Reed and Edward L. Ayers

The March on Washington

with Bryson Bruce, Jermain Corbin, and Sandra Trenholm

Fighting for the Rights of Black Lives in the Founding Era

with Mandel Holland, Elijah Malcomb, and Sandra Trenholm

The Massachusetts 54th

with Jermain Corbin and Sandra Trenholm

African American Experiences, 1878-Present

with Kellie Carter Jackson, Charles McKinney, and Yohuru Williams

The Families Who Were Enslaved and Sold to Build the American Catholic Church

with Rachel L. Swarns

John Quincy Adams and the Amistad Case

1840

Beyond the Battlefield: African American Contributions to the Civil War

with Elizabeth R. Varon

African Americans and the Civil War

with Elizabeth R. Varon

James Forten, Sailmaker

by Julie Winch

Harriet, the Moses of Her People

1886

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