TOPIC 6.3 Westward Migration

The Courage of the Exodusters

KC-6.2.II.B In hopes of achieving ideals of self-sufficiency and independence, migrants moved to both rural and boomtown areas of the West for opportunities, such as building the railroads, mining, farming, and ranching.

“After Reconstruction failed, Afro-Americans did not quietly resign themselves to re-enslavement... but lacking the right to vote, their alternative was flight.” -Dr.  Nell Irvin Painter

Objectives: 

1. Students will be able to explain the causes and the outcomes of the Exoduster Migration to Kansas. 

2. Students will contextualize the Exoduster movement within the broader narratives of Reconstruction and Westward Expansion.

This key concept in the antiracist classroom:

This lesson tackles the racist tradition in American history that ignores Black agency in the face of oppression. Dr. Painter explicitly debunks this theory with the story of Black action in the face of post Reconstruction oppression. This lesson connects Unit 5 Reconstruction to Unit 6 Westward Migration while introducing students to Dr. Painter’s assertion that the end of Reconstruction meant re-enslavement for millions of African Americans in the “New” South. This material also expands on the College Board curriculum by allowing students to compare and contrast the motivations and experiences of Exodusters with their previous knowledge of white homesteaders.

Notes

This lesson could potentially be used as part of the Unit 5 Reconstruction unit. However, I find it powerful to use in Unit 6 as an example of an effect of the end of Reconstruction. Additionally, students will get more out of this lesson if they already have background on white homesteaders. (For Reconstruction, I use this excellent lesson from Reading Like a Historian: “Reconstruction SAC.” (It’s free, you just need to make an account with their site)) That lesson introduces students to freedman Henry Adams. Adams will go on to play a large role in Black migration out of the South.

Also, topic 6.4 “The New South,” comes right after the Westward Migration topic. During our study of 6.4, we hold a class discussion on if “New” South is an appropriate term. Frequently, students will refer back to this lesson and Dr. Painter’s work to conclude that “New” is not an appropriate term from a Black or antiracist perspective.