Introduction
In March of 1841, Solomon Northup was seeking employment when he was contacted by two men. The men promised him a good salary if he would accompany their minstrel show and play his violin. It would be 12 years before Solomon would see his family and home again. He was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Louisiana.
This webquest helps you understand the real Solomon Northup, the time that he lived in, and other slaves of the same period. It also helps you understand slavery in America.
Task
Your job is to research the evidence of Solomon Northup life.
- You will read documents and other information that detail the life of Northup.
- Then you will create a presentation about realism and the slave narratives that accompanied the time period.
- You will study information about:
- Harriet Jacobs
- Frederick Douglass
- Solomon Northup
- Sojourner Truth
Begin here with Solomon Northup:
- Find him and his family living in Saratoga, NY
- Find Platt on the manifest of the Orleans.
- See if you can figure out which slave Solomon is on Epps plantation.
Click the link and begin. Take notes and then watch the videos and take notes:
https://education.blogs.archives.gov/2013/11/05/twelve-years-a-slave/
Click on this link to read more about Solomon and Edwin Epps:
http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/12-years-a-slave.php
See the diary of the Soldier who found Epp"s Plantation:
http://huntingtonblogs.org/2014/03/where-solomon-northup-was-a-slave/
Edwin Epps Home is preserved on the campus of LSU Alexandria:
https://www.lsua.edu/about/campus/location/epps-house
Searching for Patsey:
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/03/patsey-12-years-a-slave
Process
Process: Using these resources, you will:
- Research the lives of the four people below.
- Create a documentary, prezi, or a multimedia presentation.
- Present that presentation to the class.
You are welcome to use other resources to support the ones that I have provided.
Links to Resources |
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Background Information |
Frederick Douglass |
Harriet Jacobs |
Solomon Northup |
Sojourner Truth |
Tenets/Ideas of Realism
(You will choose at least three quotes--sentences or parts of your person's story--that relate to Tenets of Realism)
Sample Slides
Group One |
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Douglass |
Jacobs |
Northup |
Truth |
Chapters I-II |
Pages 11-24 |
Chapters I and II |
Pages 13-23 |
Group Two |
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Douglass |
Jacobs |
Northup |
Truth |
Chapters III-IV |
Pages 25-57 |
Chapter III-IV |
Pages 24-36 |
Group Three |
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Douglass |
Jacobs |
Northup |
Truth |
Chapter V |
Pages 58-81 |
Chapters V-VI |
Pages 37-45 |
Group Four |
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Douglass |
Jacobs |
Northup |
Truth |
Chapter VI |
Pages 82-104 |
Chapters VII-VIII |
Pages 46-58 |
Group Five |
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Douglass |
Jacobs |
Northup |
Truth |
Chapter VII |
Pages 105-130 |
Chapters IX-X |
Pages 59-78 |
Group Six |
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Douglass |
Jacobs |
Northup |
Truth |
Chapter VIII |
Pages 145-166 |
Chapters XI-XII |
Pages 79-95 |
Group Seven |
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Douglass |
Jacobs |
Northup |
Truth |
Chapter IX |
Pages 173-192 |
Chapter XIX-XX |
Pages 96-108 |
Group Eight |
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Douglass |
Jacobs |
Northup |
Truth |
Chapter XI |
Pages 237-253 |
Chapter XXII |
Pages 109-125 |
Introduction
Task
Process
Resources
Evaluation
Conclusion
Evaluation
EVALUATION Group Score
Individual Score
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Conclusion
Write an essay where you compare the lives of:
Solomon Northup
Sojourner Truth
Frederick Douglass
Harriet Jacobs
Or:
Write an essay arguing whether America still suffers from the affects of slavery. Click on the Rubric to see how your essay will be graded.