Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: The Election of 1860

For Students 9th - 10th
A learning module that begins with "The Election of 1860" by USHistory.org, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through free teacher...
Handout
The History Cat

The History Cat: Us History: Election of 1860: Lincoln Elected

For Students 9th - 10th
Looks at the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and the divisions between North and South that resulted. Shortly after the election, a group of Southern states seceded and formed the Confederate States of America. The animosity between...
Graphic
Curated OER

Abraham Lincoln

For Students 9th - 10th
Biography of Abraham Lincoln. This piece highlights Lincoln's political life. Discusses his election to the Illinois Legislature, Congress, and ultimately his election as president.
Graphic
270 To Win

270towin: 1864 Presidential Election

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides detailed electoral facts for the presidential election of 1864 won by Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln's second term was ended just 6 weeks after inauguration by his assassination.
Graphic
270 To Win

270towin: 1860 Presidential Election

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides detailed electoral facts for the presidential election of 1860 won by Abraham Lincoln, setting the stage for the American Civil War.
Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: American Treasures: A More Perfect Union: Gallery B

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a large site from American Treasures covering primary source documents from the early 1800s through the Civil War and on to Western Expansion.
Website
Other

The Dirksen Congressional Center

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
An effective site that provides non-partisan information concerning Congress and its leaders. The website includes CongressLink, up-to-date information on the US Congress; Congress for Kids, an excellent resource for younger students on...
Website
Mount Holyoke College

Mt. Holyoke: Reconstruction Timeline

For Students 9th - 10th
Here's a concise timeline that highlights the important facets of reconstruction from the announcement of Abraham Lincoln's reconstruction plans to the end of reconstruction at the election of Rutherford B. Hayes.
eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: The Union Triumphant

For Students 11th - 12th
This section of a chapter on "The Civil War" describes the reasons why many Americans doubted that Abraham Lincoln would be reelected and explains how the Union forces overpowered the Confederacy.
Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: Secession

For Teachers 6th - 8th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart describes events leading to secession, including John Brown's Raid, Lincoln's election, and South Carolina's break with the Union. It also includes information on the first states to...
Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: "With Malice Toward None"

For Students 9th - 10th
A four-page discussion of Reconstruction from the plans Lincoln made while the Civil War was still raging to the end of Reconstruction with the election of Rutherford B. Hayes.
Primary
Lone Star Junction

Lone Star Junction: Texas Ordinance of Secession (February 2, 1861)

For Students 9th - 10th
This site gives the text of the Texas Ordinance of Secession after the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. It gives the reasons Texas secedes from the Union. See the parallels to the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: "I Do Solemnly Swear"

For Students 9th - 10th
An online exhibit of historically pertinent items dealing with the inauguration of a number of US Presidents.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The South Secedes

For Students 5th - 8th
South Carolina was the first to secede upon the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. Read about the secession of more states, the election of a president of the new Confederate States of America, and a last ditch effort to save the union.
Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: Documentary Heritage of the Civil War

For Students 9th - 10th
Part of a larger effort to document the Civil War through primary resources consisting of personal narratives, Part I covers the "election of Abraham Lincoln, the secession crisis, the outbreak of hostilities, mobilizing for war, and...