Emancipation Proclamation

Worksheet Description

This educational worksheet is designed to deepen students’ understanding of Juneteenth by exploring pivotal historical events leading up to this significant day. It begins with a question about the southern states’ secession from the Union following Abraham Lincoln’s election in 1860, encouraging students to consider the political and social tensions of the era. The worksheet then prompts learners to describe the actions taken by the Emancipation Proclamation, a crucial document issued by President Lincoln during the Civil War.

The second set of questions invites critical thinking about the limitations of the Emancipation Proclamation, asking what it did not accomplish at the time of its issuance. This inquiry offers a nuanced view of the historical document, acknowledging its symbolic importance while recognizing its practical limitations. The final question requires students to calculate the amount of time that elapsed between the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation and the moment when the enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom, an event that Juneteenth commemorates. This worksheet is not just a tool for learning facts but also serves as a springboard for discussions about the complexities of history, the slow progress of justice, and the reasons why Juneteenth remains an essential celebration of freedom and human rights.