Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Reconstruction (1865-1876)
Easily broken into pieces for several class sessions, this presentation is a great way to transition your class out of a Civil War unit and closer to the 20th century. Engaging photographs, including relevant maps and humorous political...
Curated OER
America's Wars
High schoolers classify information regarding American involvement in wars. In this classification lesson, students examine the causes of the war in which the United States has been involved, and classify them as mainly political,...
Curated OER
The White House or Bust: How Americans Elect Their President
Students explain the presidential duties and who is eligible to run for president. In this The White House or Bust article, students complete a map of the electoral college. In addition students analyze historical campaign posters....
Curated OER
Lincoln Goes to War
High schoolers examine the secession crisis of 1861 and the significance of the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter. They read and analyze Lincoln's First Inaugural Address, conduct research, and write an executive memorandum.
Curated OER
The Two-Party System in American History: Ch 5
Five matching and 5 multiple choice questions to challenge your class. Their answers will test their knowledge of early American government. Party systems, Electorate, and major constituents of the time are the topics included.
Curated OER
Songs of the Times: American Concerns in 19th Century Campaigns
Learners examine campaign songs from the 1840, 1848, and 1860 elections to explore the campaign strategies of 19th century political parties.
Curated OER
Illustration of the Destruction of a Rebel Salt Factory on the Florida Coast
Young scholars view an illustration of the destruction of a salt factory. They analyze the photograph to learn more about the salt works. Students discuss what they have learned.
Curated OER
The Civil War
Students are able to describe all of the Civil War terms. They are able to wonder why things happened. Students are able to tell that the United States used to be two countries.
Curated OER
Civil War and Beyond
Sixth graders play a game. In this Civil War lesson, 6th graders discuss the beginnings of the Civil War and define vocabulary words associated with the war such as abolitionist and Emancipation Proclamation. Students play a...
Curated OER
Lincoln: The Man Who Needed Nevada
Students understand how Nevada became a state and the role of Abraham Lincoln in Nevada's statehood. In this Nevada statehood lesson, students listen to background information, primary sources and research about Nevada's statehood....
Curated OER
The Union is Perpetual: Lincoln is Elected
Young scholars view primary documents about the race for President in the time of Abraham Lincoln. In this election lesson, students prepare arguments for and against Lincoln using an analysis sheet. Young scholars create a...
Curated OER
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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Abraham Lincoln on the American Union: " A Word Fitly Spoken"
Students consider Lincoln's perspective. In this presidential perspectives instructional activity, students explore the political thoughts of Lincoln through a series of lessons that make use of primary source analysis. They hypothesize...
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
A Southerner’s Reaction to the Republicans
In this Civil War worksheet, learners 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.
Curated OER
Charging into Battle with Hood's Texas Brigade
Seventh graders study the American Civil War and the contributions of Texans to the war effort. They read first-hand accounts of Joseph Polley, member of Hood's Texas Brigade and discuss his account of his first charge and what emotions...
Curated OER
The Kansas and Nebraska Act
High schoolers use a primary source of a political cartoon to set the context for a lesson. They answer key questions in writing or orally. Students conduct a class discussion about the issue to stimulate higher order thinking skills...
Curated OER
Lincoln and Photography: A Closer Look
Students compare and contrast the Lincoln portraits using a Venn diagram and included analysis tool. In this presidential photography lesson, students write a journal entry and a letter as if they were Abraham Lincoln. Lastly students...
Curated OER
Could the Civil War Been Avoided Through Compromise?
Students determine whether the American Civil War could have been avoided. In this Civil War lesson, students examine primary and secondary sources to prepare to participate in a classroom debate that requires them to compromise to avoid...
Curated OER
Abraham Lincoln
In this Abraham Lincoln activity, students read the passage about Abraham Lincoln and answer short answer questions about him. Students complete 4 questions total.
Curated OER
Lincoln Home National Historic Site
Students investigate the community in which Lincoln and his family lived and explore how the citizens felt about him. The national issues that inspired Lincoln to act decisively in politics and that propelled him to the White House are...
OpenStax
Open Stax: John Brown and the Election of 1860
By reading this section from a chapter on " The Tumultuous 1850s," students will be able to describe John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry and analyze the results of the election of 1860.
American Presidency Project
American Presidency Project: Election of 1860
Online resource that provides detailed data for the presidential election of 1860 won by Republican candidate, Abraham Lincoln.