History’s most powerful lessons often lie in the stories we haven’t heard enough. When we think of the Civil War, certain images and narratives dominate our understanding – but what about the 180,000 African American soldiers who fought for the Union Army, risking everything for a nation that didn’t yet recognize them as citizens? Their stories offer more than just historical facts; they provide powerful teaching moments about courage, perseverance, and character that resonate deeply with students and inspire them to become the leaders and heroes of tomorrow. This is the power of our lesson about African American soldiers during the Civil War, which revolves around William H. Carney, the first African American Medal of Honor recipient. 

At the Congressional Medal of Honor Society (CMOHS), we proudly offer the Character Development Program (CDP), which is a free, adaptable, and engaging resource for teachers to nurture academic success, catalyze true character development in students, and foster a deep appreciation for those who are often overlooked in history. These lessons are made for teachers by teachers. 

Learn about our free lesson, “William H. Carney: Commitment in Action,” you will receive all the tools and resources you need to cultivate important values in your class, ensure the next generation grows into thoughtful, active citizens, and forge the next generation of leaders. Learn more below!  

A Free Lesson About African American Soldiers in the Civil War

In this lesson, students will gain an understanding of the historical context of African American soldiers in the U.S. Army during the Civil War, evaluate how courage transcends race and citizenship status through individual decisions and actions, and utilize comparison skills to analyze a broader context of Recipients’ actions. 

In doing so, you will empower students to gain a deeper understanding of the role and experiences of African American soldiers in the U.S. Army during the Civil War, evaluate courage across boundaries, develop comparison and critical thinking skills, develop character, and build strong empathy. 

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What Materials Does this Lesson About African American Soldiers Include?

This lesson provides a valuable, accessible, and inclusive education about a crucial but often underrepresented aspect of American history. 

Not only does it promote a more complete understanding of the Civil War, but when you use this lesson about African American soldiers, you foster empathy in students and break down stereotypes by highlighting the contributions and sacrifices of marginalized soldiers, connecting historical struggles for racial equality to contemporary discussions of social justice.

In this free lesson plan, you will gain access to a range of turnkey resources, starting with a lesson plan that you can easily incorporate into your current curriculum. Below, you can see the lesson plan you will receive with this module – all you need to do is register for free to download the PDF! 

Click here to access this lesson plan and more!

In addition to the lesson plan, you will also receive a free handout that provides an overview of Black Soldiers during the U.S. Civil War for historical context to prepare your class for this lesson. You can view the handout you will get for free after registering below! 

This module also includes a worksheet that will help your students unpack the material, conduct self-exploration, and gain deeper insights into what they are learning, which you can view below! 

Finally, you will also gain access to the American Battlefield Trust video, “Brothers in Valor: Recipient Melvin Morris Visits Morris Island, South Carolina,” to create an engaging, dynamic, and immersive experience unlike any other.

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How this Lesson About African American Soldiers Works

By simply registering with CDP, you will gain access to all the ready-made materials you need to get started, reducing the burden of lesson planning!

You will begin by previewing the “Brief Overview of Black Soldiers During the U.S. Civil War” handout mentioned above and reviewing civil discourse protocols with students to create a safe learning space because some content in this lesson could be sensitive. 

Then, you will show your students the American Battlefield Trust video “Brothers in Valor: Recipient Melvin Morris Visits Morris Island, South Carolina,” and ask students to record four facts and at least one question as they watch the video. Then, you will open up the class for a brief discussion about these questions and facts and create a common class consensus list. 

After watching the video, transition into a whole group activity by distributing the “Brief Overview of Black Soldiers during the U.S. Civil War” handout. Before students begin their reading, ensure you explain that African Americans (freed or enslaved) were not considered citizens of the United States until the ratification of the 15th Amendment in 1869, because this is important context to know.

Next, break your class up into small groups of three or four and give them the William H. Carney handout, instructing them to review the information. Using the handouts and video, and instruct them to analyze the actions of William H. Carney and answer the questions. 

Then, groups will present their explanations, citing evidence for their conclusions.

After this activity, students will write a formal letter to William H. Carney, the first African American Recipient of the Medal of Honor, and reflect on the significance of his actions and their influence, providing a rare opportunity for self-exploration that leads to true character development. 

Click here to access these handouts, video, and more!

Finally, your students will share their letters with the class, sparking a riveting discussion highlighting the similarities and differences among the letters. 

For more activities, you can then ask students to write an updated citation for William H. Carney, using multiple sources, or to defend a position that demonstrates how the actions of William H. Carney exemplified one or more of the Medal of Honor core values.

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Do You Need a Free Lesson About African American Soldiers in the Civil War? Register for CDP Today! 

This free module offers you the unique opportunity to teach students about the unsung heroes of the Civil War: the African American soldiers whose courage and sacrifice helped shape the nation. By engaging with this lesson about African American soldiers, you are not only providing students with a deeper understanding of history but also fostering critical thinking, empathy, and character development. Further,  you are empowering your class to analyze the past through the lens of courage and racial equality by connecting historical struggles with modern-day issues. 

If you are looking for an engaging, thought-provoking, adaptable, and impactful lesson, this module provides you with all the resources you need, created for teachers by teachers, to save you valuable planning time to create a dynamic learning experience. Register now for free to receive this lesson plan and these materials, and start inspiring students today!