AP African American Studies Resource Archive | Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

A woman with curly, short, black and auburn hair smiles at the camera in front of a brick background. She wears a blue top, gold hoop earrings, and glasses with black frames.

The Families Who Were Enslaved and Sold to Build the American Catholic Church

with Rachel L. Swarns

Learn the story about the 272 enslaved people who were sold to fund the construction of Georgetown University.

Video

The Life and Work of Phillis Wheatley

with Krystal Mackie, Jeanette Providence, and Sandra Trenholm

Discover the eighteenth-century poet who was enslaved, became free, and built a lasting legacy.

Video

Black and white print of Black men, women, and children reading the news of their emancipation.

The Union Army and Juneteenth

1865

Learn more about the origins of Juneteenth through this print.

Primary Source

The front page of a newspaper titled "The Independent Gazetteer; Or, The Chronicle of Freedom" and dated April 12, 1788.

Fighting for the Rights of Black Lives in the Founding Era

with Mandel Holland, Elijah Malcomb, and Sandra Trenholm

Explore the writings of Prince Hall and James Forten.

Video

Union troops, primarily African American, in blue uniforms, charging White Confederate troops in gray uniforms. An American flag waves in the center midground; a Confederate battle flag hangs in the left background.

The Massachusetts 54th

with Jermain Corbin and Sandra Trenholm

Explore the history of the Massachusetts 54th Volunteer Infantry.

Video

James Forten, Sailmaker

by Julie Winch

Read about James Forten, an African American craftsman and businessman in nineteenth-century Philadelphia who employed an integrated workforce.

Essay

A black-and-white photograph of a serious-looking, dark-haired Black woman wearing a dark coat, dress with a white collar, earrings, and a white veil on the back of her head

Mary Ellen Pleasant, Freedom-Fighting Entrepreneur

by Lynn M. Hudson

An introduction to Mary Ellen Pleasant, an abolitionist and businesswoman who flourished on the East and West Coasts.

Essay

A large group of White men in top hats congregating in a city street with a steeple in the background

Jeremiah G. Hamilton, Wall Street‘s First Black Millionaire

by Shane White

Explore Jeremiah Hamilton‘s career, including his response to the Draft Riots of 1863.

Essay

A Black man smiling while wearing a black suit, light blue shirt, and patterned red tie.

A Founder’s Journey from Slave Trader to Abolitionist

with Michael Thurmond

Learn how James Oglethorpe, founder of Georgia, helped to secure Ayuba bin Suleiman Diallo’s freedom.

Video

Henri Christophe, a Black man, in military uniform (blue double-breasted jacket with tails, white shirt, white pants, yellow boots), holding a sabre and dark hat in his right hand with his left in his jacket pocket.

The First and Last King of Haiti

with Marlene L. Daut

Explore the life, career, and brief reign of Henri Christophe.

Video

A black-and-white photograph of a White soldier with a heavy dark beard sitting in a chair, wearing a double-breasted Union Army uniform, with a gold bar with two stars on his left shoulder

General Order No. 3

1865

Read the General Order announcing emancipation in Texas, giving birth to Juneteenth.

Primary Source

An engraving of a Black man with mutton-chops wearing a dark jacket, dark vest, and white shirt, looking toward the right

Garnet’s Address in Context

by Jake Alspaugh

Understand the origins of Garnet’s speech.

Essay