Center for History Education
Lincoln and the Republicans: The Cause of the War?
In today's political rhetoric, many forget the pivotal role the Republican Party played in the causes of the Civil War. The party's formation was the final straw for Southerners who saw the enslavement of people of African descent a...
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Abraham Lincoln, the 1860 Election, and the Future of the American Union and Slavery
Learners examine the political alternatives regarding the spread of slavery and the preservation of the American union facing the American people in the decade leading up to the 1860 presidential election.
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A Southerner’s Reaction to the Republicans
In this Civil War worksheet, young scholars write a letter to the editor of a local Southern newspaper in 1960. The letter should feature Republican platform statements regarding the issue of secession.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates — Springboard to the White House
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates saw two primary political candidates debating seven different times about one of the most important social movements in United States history. Middle and high schoolers read an article that describes the...
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Northern and Southern Differences in 1856
Fourth graders investigate differences between the ideology of the Northern and Southern states in 1856. In this states' history lesson plan, 4th graders examine the needs for slaves in the Southern agricultural economy, and compare it...
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Attitudes About Slavery in Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Learners examine the historical attitudes towards slavery in Pennsylvania. They read transcriptions from two Pennsylvania newspapers and compare/contrast the county's Republican and Democratic Parties' positions on slavery.
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A House Dividing: The Growing Crisis of Sectionalism in Antebellum America
Students trace the development of sectionalism in the United States. They explore slavery, freedom and the Constitution. Students identify influential opponents and defenders of American slavery. They explain different solutions to...
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White Southerners' Defense of Slaveholding
Students read transcriptions of articles from two historical Virginian newspapers and examine how white southerners defended the institution of slavery. They write a one-act play or a dialogue between an abolitionist and a slaveholder.
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The Electoral Process
Students explore the U.S. political system by completing several worksheets. For this government election lesson, students define and describe the two main political parties in detail to one another. Students read a piece written by a...
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A House Dividing: The Growing Crisis of Sectionalism in Antebellum America
Students explore the debates over American slavery and the power of the American federal government for the first half of the 19th century and how the regional economies and political events produced a widening split between the states.
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Road to War Assessment
In this American Civil War worksheet, students respond to 20 short answer, multiple choice, and true or false questions about the events that led to the outbreak of war.
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Who Freed the Slaves During the Civil War?
Pose the question to your historians: who really freed the slaves? They critically assess various arguments, using primary sources as evidence. In small groups, scholars jigsaw 5 primary source documents (linked), and fill out an...
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Political and Social Origins of the Civil War
Students examine the difference in politics in the North and South during the Civil War. Using that information, they discuss how politics and ideologies led to the war. They explain the causes and effects of the war and evaluate the...
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TicTac Town
Thirty one possible tic-tac-toe games are included in this presentation. Students must answer a question in each x and o position. When the grid position is selected the question appears and the answer is generated on the next click....
Lessons on American Presidents
Abraham Lincoln
Honor Abe Lincoln with a set of activity-based worksheets that can be used independently and in collaborative groups. Young historians participate in a listening activity where they fill in the missing blanks in a passage while being...
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A Lesson To Accompany "The First Bank of the United States: A Chapter in the History of Central Banking"
Here is an interesting topic. Learners examine the economics that led to the founding of the First Bank of America. They participate in a reader's theater experience depicting the debate between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson...
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The Union is Perpetual: Lincoln is Elected
Students view primary documents about the race for President in the time of Abraham Lincoln. For this election lesson, students prepare arguments for and against Lincoln using an analysis sheet. Students create a poster or cartoon to...
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Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln
Students discuss the significance of the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation and the assassination of Lincoln. They analyze how historians use evidence and develop differing interpretations. Students examine historical bias and...
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Eighth Grade Social Studies Test
For this Georgia social studies assessment worksheet, 8th graders respond to 30 multiple choice questions based on 8th grade social studies skills.
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The Election Is in the House: 1824: The Candidates and the Issues
Students list some changes in presidential election laws and/or procedures since 1796, and cite examples from presidential campaign materials from 1824.
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The Union is Perpetual: Lincoln is Elected
Students take a closer look at the election of Abraham Lincoln. In this historical analysis lesson, students analyze letters, political cartoons, and campaign materials from Lincoln's campaign. Analysis worksheets are included.
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With malice toward none, with charity for all: The life of Abraham Lincoln
Students research Abraham Lincoln in a variety of ways. In this Abraham Lincoln lesson plan, students use primary sources, vocabulary activities, books, and more to research and learn about Abraham Lincoln.
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Civil War and Reconstruction
Fourth graders investigate the Civil War by researching the state of Virginia. In this US History lesson, 4th graders identify Abraham Lincoln, James Chestnut and Fort Sumter, and discuss their roles in the start of the Civil War. ...
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Lesson Plan: The 1856 Election
Students identify the key issue in the election of 1856, they also identify some of the key people invovled in the election. Students discuss the role of propaganda in politics. Also, students discuss the significance of the election of...