11th Grade Florida History
Miami’s First Black Millionaire: D.A. Dorsey
Essential Question
To what extent did African Americans gain political and economic rights after the Civil War?
Miami’s First Black Millionaire: D.A. Dorsey
Florida literacy Standards Alignment:
LAFS.1112.RH.2.5 Analyze in detail how a complex primary source is structured, including how key sentences, paragraphs, and larger portion of the text contribute to the whole.
NGSSS - Social Science Standards Alignment:
SS.912.A.2.4 Distinguish the freedoms guaranteed to African Americans and other groups with the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution.
SS.912.A.1.2 Utilize a variety of primary and secondary sources to identify author, historical significance, audience, and authenticity to understand a historical period.
Topic: Miami’s First Black Millionaire: D.A. Dorsey
Essential Question
To what extent did African Americans gain political and economic rights after the Civil War?
Learning Goals
Students will use research and inquiry skills to analyze American history using primary and secondary sources.
Overview
Students will learn through research and document analysis how and why D.A. Dorsey became the first African American Millionaire in Miami-Dade during the late nineteenth century.
Background information:
Dana Albert "D. A." Dorsey was a businessman, banker, and philanthropist who became one of the first African American millionaires in Florida and the American South.
Materials
· Warranty Deed of D.A. Dorsey (see attached)
· Document Analysis
· Paper/Pen
Activity Sequence
Introduction
1. Present the students with a copy of the “Warranty Deeds” of D.A. Dorsey for close analysis
2. Ask students, what they think it must’ve been like for Mr. D.A. Dorsey to have this document as an African American in the South during the late nineteenth century?
3. Provide a copy of the document analysis worksheet, for students to conduct a detailed analysis of the “Warranty Deed.”
Activity
· Students will research D.A. Dorsey to understand his impact on Miami and the African American community.
· Students will research another African American Entrepreneur from the late nineteenth century.
· In an essay, students will compare the two and discuss some of the similarities that these individuals have and what were some of the barriers that they faced as an African American entrepreneur during this time period.
· Students will also look at the impact that these individuals had on their local African American community.
Closure
1. Based on your research and what you have read and learned, what were some of the achievements of D.A. Dorsey and how did he impact the Miami Dade community?
References for links, if applicable
http://imagestack.co/21459068-first-black-millionaire-of-da-dorsey-miami.html
http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/worksheets/written_document_analysis_worksheet.pdf
Reading:
Primary Source:
Written Document Analysis Worksheet
Designed and developed by the
Education Staff, National Archives and Records Administration,
Washington, DC 20408
1. / TYPE OF DOCUMENT (Check one):Newspaper
Letter
Patent
Memorandum / Map
Telegram
Press Release
Report / Advertisement
Congressional Record
Census Report
Other
2. / UNIQUE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTI
Interesting Letterhead
Handwritten
Typed
Seals / CS OF THE DOCUMENT (Check one or more):
Notations
"RECEIVED" stamp
Other
3. / DATE(S) OF DOCUMENT:
4. / AUTHOR (OR CREATOR) OF THE DOCUMENT:
POSITION (TITLE):
5. / FOR WHAT AUDIENCE WAS THE DOCUMENT WRITTEN?
6. / DOCUMENT INFORMATION (There are many possible ways to answer A-E.)
A. List three things the author said that you think are important:
B. Why do you think this document was written?
C. What evidence in the document helps you know why it was written? Quote from the document.
D. List two things the document tells you about life in the United States at the time it was written.
E. Write a question to the author that is left unanswered by the document:
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCES