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Documents of Freedom, 1863 to 1865 is a free printable Grade 3 to Grade 5 social studies worksheet on comparing Civil War documents about freedom, aligned to C3 Framework indicator D2.His.10.3-5. It prints 2 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.

Set 9 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

Documents of Freedom, 1863 to 1865

D2.His.10.3-5

NameDate

Read each source, then answer the questions.

1.Look at the source, then answer the questions.

Black Soldiers in the Union Army

An information text written for this worksheet. After the Emancipation Proclamation, the Union army began enlisting Black soldiers in large numbers. About 180,000 Black men served in the Union army, and about 19,000 in the navy. Many had escaped from slavery. They served in separate regiments called the United States Colored Troops, usually led by white officers. At first they were paid less than white soldiers. In 1864 Congress voted to give them equal pay. Black soldiers fought in about 40 major battles of the war.

  1. 1. About how many Black men served in the Union army?
  2. 2. Why might men who had escaped from slavery want to join the Union army?
  3. 3. What unfair treatment did Black soldiers face at first?
2.Look at the source, then answer the questions.

The Emancipation Proclamation

An extract from the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, during the Civil War. …all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free…

  1. 1. What was happening in the country when it was issued?
  2. 2. What do the words in rebellion against the United States tell you about which states the order was aimed at?
  3. 3. Which people does the extract say shall be free?

LessonPrint · D2.His.10.3-5 · Set 9 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Documents of Freedom, 1863 to 1865

Set 9. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.1. About 180,000. 2. To fight for the freedom of people still held in slavery. 3. They were paid less than white soldiers and served in separate regiments.
  2. 2.1. The Civil War. 2. It was aimed at the states fighting against the United States in the Civil War. 3. All persons held as slaves within any State in rebellion against the United States.

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to D2.His.10.3-5 of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.