Unit 5: A nation divided 

"How did the conflict of the Civil War define the nation?"

unit description
Students explore the Civil War beginning with its immediate causes from the preceding decade to the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter. Students learn that the Civil War was a major turning point in US history, in which the union was preserved and the institution of slavery took a fatal blow. In many ways, this was the culmination of decades of growing pains caused by years of expansion and conflict between the states. The result was the answer to the biggest question of American identity: free or slave? Would the United States live up to its founding promise that “all men are created equal”?

Topic 1: Sectionalism 

Connection: Students analyze ways in which early compromises over slavery were ineffective and what impact they had on different regions of the United States.
​Standards: (7.1.1-5; 7.3.3-5; 7.4.1-2; 7.5.3; 7.8.8; 7.10.1-2; 7.11.1-3)

Key Questions:

  • What is sectionalism, and how did its presence in the United States lead to compromise?
  • In what ways were early compromises over slavery ineffective and what impact did they have on different regions of the United States?
  • How was the Missouri Compromise of 1820 ineffective in dealing with the issue of slavery?
  • What was the impact of the Compromise of 1850 and who benefited more, the North or the South?
  • How did the Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854 attempt to reduce the growing sectionalism of the American union over the slavery controversy?
  • Why did legislative efforts dealing with slavery and expansion fail to avoid a constitutional crisis?
  • How could congressional neutrality towards slavery in the federal territories actually stir up sectional strife?
  • What role did compromise play in the outbreak of the Civil War?
  • Why did the conflict over slavery result in war in 1861?

Assessments:

  •  Students examine the social, political, and economic impact of the Missouri Compromise and complete an anticipation guided reading.
  • Students analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the Compromise of 1850 and complete a graphic organizer.
  • Students analyze the social, political, and economic impact of the Kansas-Nebraska Act and complete a split- page note graphic organizer.
  • Students complete a textual analysis of the failure of compromise on slavery and complete a GIST writing activity.

Topic 2: LIncoln and Secession 

Connection: Students explore the role of the election of Abraham Lincoln and other key events, ideas, and people, which led to the Civil War and analyze the immediate and long-term causes of the secession of the Southern states and the outbreak of the Civil War.
​Standards: (7.1.1-5; 7.3.3-5; 7.4.1-2; 7.5.3; 7.10.1-2; 7.11.1-3)

KEY QUESTIONS:

  • How did the Dred Scott decision impact the Southern economy?
  • How did the Dred Scott decision regulate the spread of slavery in the U.S.?
  • How did Abraham Lincoln feel about the institution of slavery?
  • How did Stephen Douglas believe the issue of slavery could be resolved?
  • What did Stephen Douglas claim Lincoln wanted for African Americans?
  • Why did many abolitionists oppose violence when attempting to abolish slavery?
  • What political effect did the election of 1860 have on the South?
  • Why did many southerners oppose Lincoln’s election?

ASSESSMENTS:

  • Students analyze the social and political impact of the Dred Scott Decision and completed a graphic organizer.
  • Students examine the political impact of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates and complete a graphic organizer.
  • Students analyze the causes and effects of John Brown’s Raid and complete a graphic organizer.
  • Students analyze social and political impact of the Election of 1860 and complete a graphic organizer.
  • Students complete a textual analysis of Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address and complete a graphic organizer.

topic 3: The Civil War

Connection: Students will analyze important turning points and major developments of The CivilWar in order to determine how the conflict defined the nation and impacted American identity.
​Standards:  (7.1.1-5; 7.3.3-5; 7.4.1-2; 7.5.3; 7.10.1-2; 7.11.1-3)

KEY QUESTIONS:

  • What events led to the start of The Civil War?
  • What are the reasons southern states gave for secession?
  • What was the purpose and impact of the Emancipation Proclamation
  • What battles were considered turning points in The Civil War?
  • ​What people and events had the greatest impact on the course of The Civil War?
  • How did the Union win the war?

ASSESSMENTS:

  •  Students will write a paragraph answering the question “What events led to the start of the Civil War?”
  • Students will complete a handout analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the North and the South at the start of the war.
  • Students will write a paragraph answering the question “What was the purpose and impact of the Emancipation Proclamation?”
  • Students will create a promotional guide for either the Vicksburg or Gettysburg National Military Park,​ explaining why that particular campaign deserves to be considered the true turning point of the Civil War.

Unit 5​ videos