Objective:
This lesson will explore the impact and legacy of the Atlantic Slave Trade and slavery in the United States through historical artifacts, multimedia resources, and reflective questions. You will analyze how slavery shaped the modern world and contributed to enduring racial ideologies. The goal is to curate a digital exhibit, presenting key artifacts that tell the story of slavery and connect to modern-day issues.

Overview Instructions:

You will create an exhibit using PowerPoint, Canva, Google Slides, or another tool that allows you to combine words and images. Your exhibit will include:

  • 6-8 artifacts* (4-6 if you are working alone) – with two from The 1619 Project – along with a brief explanation of why you chose each object and how it connects to your exhibit’s theme.
  • A Curator’s Statement explaining the theme or message of your exhibit and how your artifacts connect to each other.
  • A Closing Statement reflecting on how the history of slavery relates to present-day issues such as racial inequality or social justice.

By the end of your Research, Artifact Selection, and Exhibit Creation, you will submit your exhibit links and accompanying explanations on Blackboard. I will compile these for a gallery walk presentation that we will engage in during class during Week 6.

Research, Artifact* Selection, and Exhibit Creation

Part 1: Research and Artifact* Selection
Your first task is to explore the provided resources and select 6-8 artifacts (4-6 if you are working alone) for your exhibit, with two artifacts from The 1619 Project. These artifacts should reflect different perspectives on the Atlantic Slave Trade and American slavery, including those of enslaved people, slaveholders, abolitionists, and others.

*Artifacts don’t have to be just physical objects, they can be oral histories, music, quotes, etc.

Guiding Questions for Exhibit Creation:

  • What is the main theme or message of your exhibit?
  • How do the artifacts connect to your chosen theme?
  • How do the artifacts reflect diverse perspectives (enslaved people, slaveholders, abolitionists, etc.)?
  • How does your exhibit help viewers understand broader themes like resistance, survival, and the impact of slavery on the Americas?
  • Visual Storytelling: How can you use layout, color, and design elements to enhance the impact of your artifacts and guide the viewer’s attention?
  • Accessibility: Have you considered how to make your exhibit accessible to people with different learning styles or abilities? Could you include captions, audio descriptions, or alternative text for images?
  • Audience Engagement: What questions or activities could you incorporate into your exhibit to encourage viewers to think critically and interact with the material?

Guiding Questions for Research:

  • What was the Atlantic Slave Trade, and how did it affect different regions and peoples?
  • How did enslaved people resist and survive under brutal conditions?
  • How did abolitionists challenge slavery, and what impact did they have?
  • What was the economic and social justification for slavery from the perspective of slaveholders?
  • How does The 1619 Project challenge traditional narratives about slavery and the founding of the United States?
  • Emotional Impact: Which artifacts evoke strong emotions in you? Why do you think they have that effect?
  • Contrasting Perspectives: Can you find artifacts that represent opposing viewpoints on slavery? How do these different perspectives contribute to the complexity of the topic?
  • Unsung Voices: Are there any artifacts that highlight the experiences of lesser-known individuals or groups affected by slavery? How do these stories add depth to our understanding of the past?

Part 2: Exhibit Creation

Once you’ve selected your artifacts, you will create a digital exhibit using PowerPoint, Canva, Google Slides, or another tool. Your exhibit must include:

  1. Curator’s Statement: A brief introduction to your exhibit that explains the central theme or message. This statement should also explain how the selected artifacts connect to one another and contribute to telling a cohesive story.
  2. 6-8 Artifacts* (4-6 if you are working alone): Include links to your artifacts in your presentation, along with a brief explanation of why you chose each artifact and how it connects to your exhibit’s theme. Make sure that two artifacts come from The 1619 Project.
  3. Closing Statement: Reflect on how the history of slavery connects to present-day issues such as racial inequality or social justice. Use this statement to guide viewers in understanding the relevance of the historical artifacts in today’s context.

*Artifacts don’t have to be just physical objects, they can be oral histories, music, quotes, etc.

Blackboard Submission:

Before class on day two, you must submit the following on Blackboard:

  1. Curator’s Statement: An introduction to your exhibit that explains its theme or message and how the selected artifacts connect to one another.
  2. 6-8 Objects (4-6 if you are working alone): The links to your selected artifacts (two from The 1619 Project). For each object, provide a brief explanation of why you chose it and how it contributes to your exhibit’s theme.
  3. Closing Statement: A reflection on how your exhibit connects the history of slavery to present-day issues like racial inequality or social justice.

You must create your exhibit in PowerPoint, Canva, Google Slides, or a similar tool, combining words and images to tell a cohesive story. Once you’ve completed the project, submit it on Blackboard. I will compile the submissions for the gallery walk presentation on day two.

Resources for Exploration:

  1. Crash Course World History: The Atlantic Slave Trade (Video)
    Provides a foundational overview of the Atlantic Slave Trade, focusing on its formation and global impact.
  2. Virtual Exhibition: Slavery & Freedom – National Museum of African American History and Culture (Interactive) Explore the NMAAHC’s exhibition, highlighting the resistance, survival, and contributions of enslaved people to America.
  3. The Collection | National Museum of African American History and Culture (si.edu) Search the collection and explore our exhibitions, centers, and digital initiatives.
  4. 15 Minute History Podcast: The Slave Trade and its Impact (Audio/Transcript)
    Delve into the long-term consequences of the slave trade on the Americas.
  5. Visual Learner?
    View a graphic depicting the destinations of the Atlantic Slave Trade, which provides a visual representation of the scale of this forced migration.
  6. In Motion: African-American Migration Experience (Website)
    Learn how African-American migrations shaped the culture and economy of the Americas. The Transatlantic Slave Trade section of this site gives a view of the capture of slaves, their forced migration to other countries, and the impact that this trade had on African demographics.
  7. PBS: Life Aboard a Slave Ship (Article)
    Understand the horrific conditions aboard slave ships and how enslaved Africans survived the Middle Passage.
  8. Gain a greater understanding of life aboard the slave ships at PBS. How did these people survive the horrific conditions and what happened aboard the ships? Read about tight packers and loose packers and find out the general daily routine aboard a slave ship here.
  9. What do North America, the Caribbean, Brazil, Europe and Africa all have in common? Each of the areas had a role in the transatlantic slave trade. Visit the Voyages website that has information on over 35,000 slave trade voyages. Examine estimates of the slave trade here and read the names of over 90,000 slaves that were forced to migrate away from their native homeland
  10. Are their myths and misconceptions about slavery? Do you have any? Rid yourself of them at the Digital History: Slave Fact Sheets.
  11. For a complete description of the Origin of Slavery in America visit the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History site.
  12. The 1619 Project
    Visit The 1619 Project (free access through Mason: link) to find artifacts, stories, and perspectives on the legacy of slavery in the United States.

During Week 6: Gallery Walk

During week 6, we will hold a classroom gallery walk, where you will view each other’s exhibits and engage in discussions about your work. I will compile the submissions from Blackboard into a presentation for class viewing.

Peer Engagement:
As you explore your classmates’ exhibits, take notes on what stands out to you and any questions or thoughts that arise. Engage in discussions by providing feedback on each other’s work.

Questions to consider during the gallery walk:

  • What new perspectives did you gain from your peers’ exhibits?
  • How did different curatorial choices change the narrative being told?
  • Were there artifacts that helped you think differently about the topic?
  • Call to Action: How can your exhibit inspire viewers to take action against contemporary forms of injustice and inequality?
  • Constructive Feedback: How can you provide feedback that is both supportive and challenging, encouraging your peers to reflect on their work and improve their exhibits?
  • Connecting Themes: Can you identify common threads or themes across the different exhibits? How do these connections enhance our collective understanding of the topic?