Poll Tax, Literacy Tests, Grandfather Clause, Reconstruction

Why were poll taxes, literacy tests, grandfather clauses, Jim Crow laws, and other voter suppression tactics employed during the Reconstruction era in the United States? This lesson and activity examines the tactics used to deter newly able people to vote. Students will analyze primary source documents and answer corresponding scaffolding questions. They will answer the final summary question to apply their knowledge.

Included in this resource:

Do Now - “The Georgetown Elections,” illustration by Thomas Nash political cartoon and scaffolding questions
Voter Suppression tactics during Reconstruction reading passage with scaffolding questions
Analyzing primary source documents and corresponding scaffolding questions
JH Hayden and Angus Hamilton letter to President Taft addressing disenfranchisement
Robert S. Anderson’s poll tax receipt, 1940
Literacy Test example 1965
Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: Why did voter suppression tactics during Reconstruction have a significant impact on the democratic participation of certain groups, particularly African American citizens?
Answer key for teachers
★ Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you!

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