What can objects tell us about the experiences of African Americans in relation to Westward Expansion and the Domestic Slave Trade? How will this information help us to better understand the dual themes of slavery and freedom while exploring history through the African American lens?

History is a study into the past, and how it informs the future, our communities and world, and ultimately ourselves. Learning History Through Objects (LHTO) is a series designed by the National Museum of African American History and Culture to empower students, primarily through the historical thinking skills of analysis and interpretation, to allow them to explore, question, and create history.

One of the important skills to be a historian is the ability to analyze and interpret a primary source to gain a better understanding of history. A primary source is any document, artifact, media, or image that was created by the historical person you are studying or during that time period.

The Learning History Through Object Series is based off the exhibit structure and objects within the permanent and temporary exhibitions at the National Museum of African American History and Culture and other Smithsonian units.

The analysis questions are taken from the National Archives and Records Administration Document Analysis Worksheets, unless stated otherwise.

Keywords: NMAAHC, African American, history, object based learning, primary source, historical thinking, slavery, domestic slave trade, westward, expansion, cotton, the west, liberty, freedom, pwc