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Unit VI: National and Sectional Conflict |
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| www.studenthandouts.com > U.S. History > National & Sectional Conflict > Books & Films |
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| Slave Catchers, Slave Resisters (2005) Link to History Channel Educator Guide | USS Constellation: Battling for Freedom (2007) History Channel Educator Guide | The Abolitionists (2013) Link to PBS Web Page and Teacher Resources | Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass |
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Watching historical films can be a great way for American History students to gain insights into the events leading up to the Civil War. Here are some of the best movies that cover this period.
Amistad (1997): Directed by Steven Spielberg, this film is based on the true story of the 1839 mutiny on the slave ship La Amistad. It delves into the legal and moral complexities of the slavery issue. Django Unchained (2012): Quentin Tarantino's film is a unique take on the pre-Civil War era, blending history with Tarantino's signature style. It follows a freed slave who becomes a bounty hunter. While this is not, given its violence and revenge fantasy nature, appropriate for classroom viewing, it remains popular and may have been seen by many students; so teachers can expect it to possibly be brought up in classrooms. 12 Years a Slave (2013): This powerful film is based on the memoir of Solomon Northup, a free African American man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery. It provides a harrowing look at the brutality of slavery. Its cinematography is breathtaking. Free State of Jones (2016): This historical drama is based on the true story of Newton Knight, a Confederate deserter who led a rebellion against the Confederacy in Mississippi during the Civil War. It explores issues of class, race, and resistance. It offers insight into a seldom discussed topic, that of poor white Southerners' initial resistance to fight on behalf of wealthy white plantation owners. Most students (and people, for that matter) are unaware that the majority of white southerners did not support slavery, not simply on moral grounds, but for the nuts-and-bolts economic reason that they could not compete against slave labor. These films provide different perspectives on the events and themes leading up to the Civil War, including slavery, emancipation, and the social and political upheaval of the time. They can be valuable resources for American History students looking to engage with this critical period in U.S. history. |
| www.studenthandouts.com > U.S. History > National & Sectional Conflict > Books & Films |
