The 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments - Congress investigates the KKK
Content Standards
MI USHG-F1.1 Identify the core ideals of American society as reflected in the documents below, and analyze the ways that American society moved toward and/or away from its core ideals:
- Declaration of Independence.
- Original United States Constitution (including the Preamble).
- Bill of Rights.
- Gettysburg Address.
- 13th, 14th , and 15th Amendments
MI Civics – 4.2.3 Using the 14th Amendment, describe the impact of the doctrine of incorporation, due process of law, and equal protection of law on the articulation and extension of rights.
Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students will use the groundbreaking work of the congressional investigation into the Ku Klux Klan conducted during Reconstruction. Students will use eyewitness accounts of efforts to terrorize and suppress the rights of formerly enslaved persons after the Civil War, and government reports that were created at this time. Ultimately students will answer the question “Is it worth it for Congress to investigate problems?”. Download includes a lesson plan, video, student materials, and an answer key.
