The front page of a newspaper.

Lesson Plan

What Happened in 1906? Examining Atlanta’s Turbulent and Resilient Past

In this lesson, students will be introduced to the series of events that occurred over four days in Atlanta, Georgia in 1906 that came to be known as the Atlanta Race Massacre.

About this lesson

The 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre was a pivotal event in the history of race relations in the United States. The violence, initiated by false reports and racial animosity, occurred over several days and led to the deaths of 25 Black Atlantans, the injury of many more, and significant property damage. This event is a critical example of the racial violence that has shaped the social and political landscape of post-Reconstruction America. Understanding this event helps students grasp the complexities of historical narratives, the impact of racial injustice, and the importance of commemorating those who have suffered in pursuing civil rights.

Grade Level

  • Grade Level

    Eighth

  • Subject

    Social Studies, US History

  • Duration

    120 minutes

  • Class Period Structure

    Two 60-minute class periods

  • Activities, Background Essay, Biographies, Glossary, Primary Sources, Rubric, Secondary Sources, Timeline

  • At the end of this lesson students will be able to:

    • Understand the historical context of the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre and be able to evaluate its impact.

  • It will be helpful for students to be familiar with:

    • Reconstruction
    • Jim Crow
    • The “New South”

  • SS8H6 Analyze the impact of Reconstruction on Georgia.

    SS8H7 Evaluate key political, social, and economic changes that occurred in Georgia during the New South Era.

    • Identify the ways individuals, groups, and events attempted to shape the New South; include the Bourbon Triumvirate, Henry Grady, International Cotton Expositions, and Tom Watson and the Populists.
    • Analyze how rights were denied to African Americans or Blacks through Jim Crow laws, Plessy v. Ferguson, disenfranchisement, and racial violence, including the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre.

    ELAGSE8RL1 Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

    ELAGSE8RL4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.

    ELAGSE8RI1 Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

    ELAGSE8RI8 Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced.

    ELAGSE8W7 Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.

    ELAGSE8SL4 Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, sound valid reasoning, and well-chosen details; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

    ELAGSE8L5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

    LRHSS Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.

    LRHSS3 Identify key steps in a text’s description of a process related to history/social studies (e.g., how a bill becomes law, how interest rates are raised or lowered).

    LRHSS4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary specific to domains related to history/social studies

Supporting Materials

Primary Source

Glossary

  • Civil Rights –

    The nonpolitical rights of a citizen, especially the rights of personal liberty guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the 13th and 14th amendments to the Constitution and by acts of Congress.

  • Jim Crow Laws –

    The laws requiring racial segregation that were enacted under Jim Crow.

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