This lesson introduces students to the skill of reasoning about historical experience and to the historical figure Austin Dabney, an enslaved man who fought in the Continental Army and was later emancipated as a reward for his service. In this lesson, students examine several headlines about students today and discuss whether each experience is typical or atypical. While this lesson centers on one historical figure, it can be used in any history class as a general introduction to reasoning about the typicality of historical experience.
Please note that this lesson is cross-listed in the Revolutionary and Early America unit.
Image: Pension certificate for Austin Dabney issued by the state of Georgia, 1786. From the National Archives.
