1. Historical Intersectio n Instructio ns United States History I Honors and CPA Issues of Social Justice in the Modern World Adapted from Teaching U.S. History Beyond the Textbook By Yohuru Williams

2. Imagine you have just pulled up to a busy four-stop Intersection. And suddenly all the lights have gone out in the city. There is no way to determine who arrived at the intersection first and there are no police or Authorities to appeal for assistance. The cars begin to stack up behind you. You can see the other cars waiting to enter the intersection across from you and to your left and right. What do you do? Do you remain in the intersection and wait for the power to be restored or do you move Into the intersection? This is an example of Historical Agency- The idea that people make choices And that their actions have consequences that can change the course of history. What is the Intersection ?

3. Historical Accident Reconstruction instructions 1.Conceptualize a historical problem like a traffic accident about to happen. 2. Place the various people or groups involved at different non-working lights. 3. There should be at least three sides 4. Assign the different sides colours that would correspond with their relative positions- go, caution, and stop. (see following slide). 5. We will as a class review a single primary source that represents all sides or several sources that illustrate the various positions of each group.

4. 6. In groups, you and your classmates will examine the documents and then prepare a list of reasons explaining their relative position: go, caution, stop. 7. We will then reconvene class and have each side present its position, and then debate their positions. 8. After each side has thoroughly presented and debated their position we will complete an assignment that looks at the position from all sides. Historical Accident Reconstruction instructions Continued....

5. Intersection Positions Green: The side that wants things to change - Go Red: The side that wants things to remain the same – Stop Yellow: Those trapped at the light on - Caution

6. What You will Learn from Historical Intersections and Historical Accident Reconstruction… 1. History does not occur in a vacuum. 2. Individuals make choices and thus have the power to shape the future. 3. Advancing the cause of freedom and democracy requires action.