Timelines are a helpful tool for students to see the sequence of events and the cause and effect during a specific time period in history. Giving students a visual with each date and name of the event helps students to better understand and remember the details, importance, and impact of the event. In this activity, students will create a timeline of 5-10 events that were integral in the creation, continuance, and abolition of slavery. This timeline will use visuals and concise text to describe in order the major events and laws that were important to the history of the institution of slavery; why it lasted as long as it did and how it eventually came to an end.
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options, and update the instructions accordingly.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a timeline of major events and laws that were passed that were important to the history of slavery in America.
Student Instructions:
Requirements: Include at least five events, including dates and descriptions.
Deepen student understanding by using original historical documents—like letters, posters, or newspaper clippings—connected to each timeline event. This approach helps students analyze real voices from the era and see history through authentic perspectives.
Select materials that are readable and relevant for your grade level. Short excerpts, images, or simplified documents work best for grades 2–8. Preview all content for sensitive language or themes, and provide context as needed.
Lead a guided reading of one primary source together. Ask students to observe, reflect, and question the document. Model how to look for clues about the author, purpose, and message using think-alouds and guiding questions.
Have students match each event on their timeline with a related document. Challenge them to explain briefly how the document connects to the event or what it reveals about that moment in history.
Invite students to display their timelines and documents. Encourage discussion about what they learned from the sources and how different perspectives shaped the story of slavery in America.
Key events to include are the arrival of enslaved Africans in 1619, laws like the Virginia Slave Codes (1705), major rebellions (Nat Turner's in 1831), the Emancipation Proclamation (1863), and the passage of the 13th Amendment in 1865. Adding early anti-slavery actions and landmark court cases gives students a complete view.
Encourage students to select 5-10 key events, use concise descriptions, and add images or drawings for each event. Templates or poster layouts can provide structure, and collaborative gallery walks can deepen understanding.
Timelines help students visualize the sequence of events, understand cause and effect, and remember important dates and laws. They break down complex history into digestible parts, making it easier for younger learners to grasp.
Slavery ended in the U.S. after many years of struggle, with the Emancipation Proclamation freeing many enslaved people in 1863, and the 13th Amendment officially abolishing slavery in 1865, soon after the Civil War.
Try making timeline posters for presentations, using digital tools for interactive timelines, or hosting a gallery walk where students present their timelines. These approaches engage students and support different learning styles.