This is a link to a range of resources for teaching C19th America across various specifications and boards for GCSE. I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, or suggestions for modifications. Equally, if you would like to share something with the GCSE C19th America community here, please do get in touch and I will add it to the repository.

CPD (LINK)
Various workshops and sessions I have run on the subject of teaching the period study.

American Expansion: ​1789-1838 (LINK)
A range of resources relevant to the expansion of the USA after 1789 and the growth and development of slavery.

The American West 1839-60 (LINK)
This section covers white expansion into the West, as well as the Indian cultures who lived on the Plains. You will also find Mormons and homesteaders in this section.

Civil War and Reconstruction 1861-77 (LINK)
As it says on the tin with this one. Material related to the outbreak of war, its course and the attempts to reconstruct America afterwards.

​Conflict on the Plains 1861-77 (LINK)
This section focuses primarily on the period known as the "Indian Wars" and mirrors the developments in the East, above.

American Identities 1877-1900 (LINK)
This section looks at attempts to create a unified American culture; the growth of big business; and the impact of immigration. It also looks at continued limits to the liberty of black Americans.

​Overview and Revision (LINK)
Some items which might be useful for creating a sense of period overview throughout, or for using at the end of teaching. 

Today Gill Ford offers a review of Lois Leeven's "The Secrets of Mary Bowser". The story is based on the real life exploits of Mary Bowser, a slave and Union spy during the Civil War. An excellent book to give a bit of period context for more advanced students and teachers alike. You can find more on the real Mary Bowser HERE.

If you would like to write us a review, please send it to the contact form on this site. Reviews need to be no more than 500 word. 

Title: The Secrets of Mary Bowser
Author: Lois Leveen
 
This book is set in America between 1844 to 1865 and is based on the real -life story of Mary Bowser. Mary and her mother are slaves in the household of the Van Lew family in Richmond, Virginia. Mary is a bright girl with a photographic memory who loves books and reading, something forbidden to slaves, but Elizabeth Van Lew (Bet), the daughter of the household takes an interest in Mary and encourages her by lending books from her father’s library. Bet Van Lew is against slavery and later gives Mary her freedom and escorts Mary to Philadelphia in the North, where she pays for her to be educated. Despite the freedoms given to Mary in Philadelphia she still encounters prejudice and realises that although she has been given her liberty, it is not quite what she imagined it to be. During her time in Philadelphia she befriends Hattie whose father is an undertaker and becomes involved with the underground railroad in which coffins are used to help slaves escape to free states.

As the Civil War looms, Mary takes the decision to return to Virginia and return to slavery so that she can pose as an illiterate slave and spy for the Union. She secures a role in the house of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and takes many risks to pass on information to the North. Although there is suspicion that there is a spy in the household, Mary continues to get away with it, because she is deemed to be an illiterate and ignorant slave.

This is a well written and enjoyable piece of historical fiction. It gives a real insight into the lives of slaves and what is happening with regard to slavery and abolition before and during the time of the American Civil War. Despite there being very little written information about Mary, the author manages to bring her character and the lives of the people she is involved with to life. My knowledge of the American Civil War is limited but it certainly made me want to find out more and to look up information about historical events and the people in the story. Mary’s life is intertwined with that of her former owner Elizabeth Van Lew who as an abolitionist operated an extensive spy ring on behalf of the Union. Although she is involved with Mary throughout the whole book, the emphasis is more on Mary’s story as a slave living in mid 19th century America.

This is another blog inspired by Ben Newmark and Mike Stuchbery's #youreallyshouldteach hashtag. Each of these blogs is aimed at giving personal stories which shine a spotlight onto larger issues for teachers delivering the C19th America / American West courses. Today's story explores the impact of Civil War and Reconstruction on Martha Hodges, an ex-slave. It is useful to explore the changing attitudes of the government, as well as wider social attitudes towards women. You can find all of these stories in the "NEW UNIT" resources on the right hand side of the page.

Martha Hodges: The Indomitable Spirit
Harrison Hodges and Martha Agnew were both born into slavery in Mississippi. They married just before the outbreak of war in February 1861. The record of their marriage was handed to the plantation owner, but was lost during the chaos of the war, maybe burned by Sherman’s marching troops. Their only child was born in 1862 and died barely six months later. We will never know why, though it was a common occurrence for slave children, half of whom died before their first birthday. Martha was heartbroken. She would never have the chance to have another baby with her husband.
​
The Price of Freedom
In 1863, Harrison and Martha were liberated by the Union army. Harrison joined the 11th Regiment USCT and became part of the battle to defeat the Confederacy. Like many black soldiers, he found himself only partly accepted by the white officers who took over his command.

Life as a soldier was tough for Harrison, and most likely difficult for Martha who was left back at home. During this period of the war, Union troops were freeing slaves from southern plantations, but many were soon brought back to work in similar conditions for the military – free, but only just. Their work, picking cotton, keeping the economy running, allowed the Union to keep funding the war effort as much as having soldiers to fight.

A fantastic series by Ken Burns and Steven Ives which explores the West through the writings of New Western Historians such as Patty Limerick and Richard White. If you have the time this is a brilliant watch from start to finish!! If not, I have put a guide on so you can pick specific parts which might be useful. There is an accompanying website which you will find HERE too.

Click READ MORE to see the videos

I have attached a copy of the latest newsletter from the Western Historical Association. Some great little articles in this quarter including:

• All Quiet on the Turner Front
  
• More than Just a Prize: The Civil War and the West  
  
• Admission of Nevada Territory  
  
• Reconstituting the Center of the United States: The Creation of Colorado Territory in 1861 
  

Mr F