The History Place
The History Place: Abraham Lincoln
This site provides an extensive timeline of the life and work of Abraham Lincoln. Throughout the timeline there are photos that can be enlarged and many, many links to speeches, papers, letters of Lincoln's. The site is very easy to...
Digital History
Digital History: The Impending Crisis: Conclusion
A concise review of the ways the issue of slavery split the country from the Missouri Compromise to eventual secession of the southern states.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Missouri Compromise
A good look at the issues debated about the admission of new states, particularly those that would be made from the Louisiana Purchase. Read about why the issue of allowing slavery in the new states was such a hard decision for Congress....
Other
Vox: 37 Maps That Explain the American Civil War
April 1865 was a momentous month in American history. On April 9, the Confederate army under Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union forces of Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the Civil War. Then on April 14, the victorious President...
Kansas Historical Society
Kansapedia: "Bleeding Kansas"
When Kansas became a state it would change the balance of power, so there was fighting between the pro- and anti-slavery groups. This page offers an explanation of that piece of Kansas history, plus letters from two who supported Kansas'...
Other
Wake Forest University: History of Compromise Legislation
Annotated chronology of various compromise legislation, including the Northwest Ordinance, the Constitution, the Missouri Compromise, 1850 Compromise, and Kansas-Nebraska Act.
US Department of State
Bureau of International Information Programs: History Outline: Sectionalism
Article reviews several conditions of American society that sowed the seeds of civil war, particularly slavery and sectional conflict.
Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University: Abraham Lincoln Historical Digitization Project
Northern Illinois University provides audio, visual, and text documents about Abraham Lincoln's Illinois years. You can search historical themes that relate to Lincoln and a biography of Lincoln. The site offers both primary and...
University of Maryland
Voices of Democracy: Abraham Lincoln, "A House Divided" (16 June 1858)
Read the full text of the "House Divided" speech that Lincoln delivered on June 16, 1858, as he accepted the Republican nomination for the U.S.Senate seat from Illinois that was held by Stephen A. Douglas. This speech exemplifies...
Department of Defense
Do Dea: Ap Us History: Unit 4: A House Divided
This extensive learning module examines how the United States became more connected with the world as it pursued an expansionist foreign policy, became the destination for many new immigrants, and encouraged migration to the Pacific...
Library of Congress
Loc: Today in History: April 23: The Little Giant
Contains a short biography on U.S. congressman, senator, and presidential candidate Stephen A. Douglas.
History Teacher
Historyteacher.net: The Growing National Crisis: The 1850s: Quiz (1)
This 12-question multiple choice quiz is immediately scored and covers facts about slavery in the Civil War era.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: John Brown's Holy War: Pottawatomie Massacre
PBS provides information on John Brown's involvement in the Pottawatomie Massacre and the reasons behind the massacre.
Other
Fca Homeschool: History 806
A sample lesson plan covering the sectionalism and problems facing the nation in its debate on slavery in the 1850s.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Stephen A. Douglas
he A lengthy biography of Stephen Douglas. Discusses his involvement in politics, in particular, his involvement with the slavery issue, his runs for presidency, his famous debates, and much more.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1844 1877: Failure of Compromise
A quick comprehension check over the failure of compromise.
Columbia University
Columbia University: Columbia University & Slavery 11. Columbians
This website was created by faculty, students, and staff to publicly present information about Columbia's historical connections to the institution of slavery. This article looks at the different approaches among Columbians to the...
Other
Course Notes: Us History: 1840 1877: Expansion and Slavery
A list with short descriptions of the issues and events that impacted the expansion of the frontier, with slavery being the most significant issue.
Other
John Brown Raid: 1859 Raid on Harpers Ferry
Commemorating John Brown's historic Harpers Ferry raid of 1859, this site has lots of information about Brown and the raid. The Educational Resources page is helpful for lesson materials. The links on the pressroom page will help you...
US National Archives
Our Documents: A National Initiative on American History, Civics, and Service
Our Documents is home to one hundred milestone documents that influenced that course of American history and American democracy. Includes full-page scans of each document, transcriptions, background information on their significance, and...
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Maps Etc: Compromise of 1850, 1850
A map of the United States showing the effects of the Compromise of 1850. The map is keyed to show the free states and slave states, and notes California admitted to the Union as a free state; the Nebraska Territory as free by the...
Curated OER
Etc: Maps Etc: Freedom States and Slavery States, 1854
A map of the United States at the time of the Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) which allowed settlers to determine whether or not slavery would be allowed in their territories. The map is color-coded to show the Free States (including...
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Maps Etc: Party Situations, 1855
A map of the United States showing the results of the 1855 State elections, indicating the political trends regarding the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 and the slavery issue in the admission of Kansas into the Union.
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Maps Etc: Presidential Election, 1856
A map of the United States during the heated presidential election of 1856, showing the States carried by the Republican Party (John Fremont), Democrat Party (James Buchanan), and the newly formed American Party, or 'Know-Nothing’ Party...