Legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers

Charles·

History

Preview

At a Glance

Grade Level9th Grade

SubjectHistory

Original Prompt

Create an engaging assignment that forces critical thinking into the impact created by the Buffalo Soldiers within the United states. Connect these soldiers to future black soldiers such as Wesley Hunt, Admerial George Gaines, Vernice Armour, and General Roscoe Robinson Jr.

This learning resource focuses on the historical impact of the Buffalo Soldiers, African American troops who served in the U.S. Army after the Civil War. Established in 1866, these regiments faced significant challenges, including extreme conditions and racial prejudice, but served honorably and with distinction across the Western frontier. The resource encourages students to analyze how the Buffalo Soldiers used their military service as a mechanism for social change and as a way to challenge 19th-century racial stereotypes. It highlights key achievements of the Buffalo Soldiers and profiles modern Black military leaders influenced by this legacy, providing a timeline task for students to sequence these leaders and engage in critical thinking through activities like Claim-Evidence-Reasoning. An inquiry challenge prompts students to develop their own research questions about the evolution of Black military roles from the 1800s to the present.