Lesson 1: A Nation Divided
Duration of Days: 2
Lesson Objective
Students will activate prior knowledge about the Civil War, identify major causes of the Civil War (slavery, states’ rights, federal authority), examine a U.S. map from 1860 to understand geographic divisions, analyze a short primary source excerpt to begin practicing historical thinking skills, and develop an initial claim about why the United States went to war with itself.
How did disagreements over power, slavery, and geography divide the United States in the 1860s?
Secession
States’ Rights
Slavery
Federal Authority
Sectionalism
Union
Confederacy
8.His.15.a
“Evaluate the relative influence of political, economic, and social developments that contributed to secession (e.g., Free Soil Movement, Nullification, Dred Scott Decision, Harper's Ferry, abolition).”
Students will explore the causes and early tensions that led to the American Civil War. They will activate prior knowledge about the conflict, examine key political, economic, and social factors such as slavery, states’ rights, and federal authority, and analyze geographic divisions using an 1860 U.S. map. Through the examination of a short primary source excerpt, students will practice historical thinking skills and begin to develop an initial claim about why the United States went to war with itself. This lesson lays the foundation for understanding the sectional divisions and differing perspectives that shaped the nation during this critical period in U.S. history.
Provide simplified or scaffolded readings of primary source excerpts for students who struggle with complex text.
Use visual aids, such as annotated maps, charts, or timelines, to help students understand geographic and sectional divisions.
Allow students to work individually, in pairs, or small groups based on comfort and ability level.
Provide guided questions or graphic organizers to help students analyze primary sources and organize their ideas.
Allow students to demonstrate understanding in multiple ways, such as: Completing the worksheet, Creating a graphic organizer comparing causes, Writing a short paragraph explaining their initial claim about the war
Offer sentence starters or structured templates for students who need support organizing their responses.
Essential Info on the Civil War Worksheet
The Civil War Begins Worksheet
U.S. map (1860) showing Union, Confederate, and border states
Essential Info on the Civil War Worksheet