Crossroads: Middle School Curriculum
Lesson Plan #:  CC-0091
 

UNIT VI: Now We Are Engaged 
In A Great Civil War," 1848-1880

Content and Understandings:  

1. The institution of slavery had a dehumanizing affect on African Americans.

 2. A series of compromises postponed conflict between the North and the South for many years.

 3. Many ideas and events between 1850 and 1860 contributed to the conflict between North and    South.

 4. The Civil War had a dramatic affect on the lives of soldiers and civilians.

 5. The Civil War was the first truly modern war, especially in terms of technology.

 6. Abraham Lincoln used a variety of means to preserve the Union during the Civil War.

 

Teacher's Rationale for the Unit:  

Students have a natural interest in the history of the Civil War. The teacher should promote further interest by emphasizing how the Civil War affected people. Question/Problem 1 allows students to examine the institution of slavery through the personal accounts of slaves. Question/Problems 2 and 3 reveal the ways in which the North and South dealt with the issues of slavery and state's rights. While compromises postponed the conflict, such events as Bleeding Kansas, the Dred Scott decision, and John Brown's raid contributed to the conflict. Question/Problem 4 involves the Civil War itself-as the first modern war and in terms of its impact on individual lives. Students are encouraged to look at the impact of the war on American society from a variety of perspectives. Question Problem 5, focusing on the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln, is a fitting conclusion to Units I-VI. Students have examined the theme of democracy throughout the year. The question on Abraham Lincoln asks students to assess Lincoln's actions. Did Lincoln promote democracy as he strove to preserve the American democracy?

Note that this instructional unit ends with the end of the Civil War in 1865. Reconstruction of the South is covered in unit VII as part of the beginning of 8th grade. We believe this will make a natural content bridge which connects 7th and 8th grade instruction of American history.

 

Table of Contents:  

Question/Problem 1 : What was life like for slaves in the United States prior to the Civil War?

Question/Problem 2 : How did compromises postpone conflict between North and South?

Question/Problem 3 : How did ideas and events contribute to the conflict between North and South?

Question/Problem 4 : In what ways were people affected by the war?

Question/Problem 5 : What did Abraham Lincoln do to preserve the Union?