Jews | Free Exercise

How did Jewish Americans face discrimination and prejudice amid the tumult of the Civil War? Examine how key events, such as General Ulysses S. Grant’s General Order No. 11, which expelled Jews from certain areas, illustrated the challenges faced by the Jewish community.

In this activity, students will evaluate the historical significance of General Orders No. 11 and its impact on Jewish Americans during the Civil War. Students will also analyze the concept of personal redemption and changing attitudes toward minorities through the lens of significant historical figures, including Ulysses Grant and Abraham Lincoln.