Introduction

America survived a severe test during the Civil War.

In this search activity, you will work in teams to research events leading up to the war. You will explore the mindsets and political stances of different individuals.

The Task

Prepare for persuasion on whether or not to secede from the Union. Your goal is to learn what emotional and political undercurrents were at work in our country before the civil war.

You will be a member of a group involved in this time period. Your role will be that of a slave, an abolitionist, a secessionist, or a landowner.

Your assignment is to research the role assigned for pre-civil war times and gain a better understanding of their perspective. Then you will present a convincing argument on whether to remain in the Union or to secede based upon your research. You will present your argument to the class in the form of an ad campaign using Publisher.

The Process

You will work together as a team of 4.

1. As a team, the first thing you will want to do is study the evaluation rubric. As you plan, make sure you are completing all parts of the rubric.

2. As an individual member of the group, you must become an expert on your character. Your group will be counting on you to provide a clear understanding of the role your character played in the events leading up to the Civil War. Research your character’s position on secession.

· Identify your character’s knowledge base

(what he/she knew about impending secession)

· Identify the source of your character’s knowledge (where he/she received information)

· Was your character in a position to freely express his/her opinion?

3. You will find a Backflip folder to help you conduct your research. Use the Web and classroom resources to prepare your role. During the discovery phase, you will gather evidence, define your role, and develop your character.

4. You will find that another person in your group shares some of your opinions. You may want to collaborate more closely with this person, but be sure to continue talking with all members of your group. Review the rubric again and plan out your presentation.

5. Practice, practice, practice your part of the oral presentation.

Other Web Resources

http://marcopolo.worldcom.com/index.shtml

Marcopolo Site

http://www.noodletools.com

Noodle Tools Bibliography help

http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/index.html

Filamentality

http://www.libertyhaven.com/politicsandcurrentevents/warpeacediplomacyorforeignaid/civilwar.shtml

The civil and national politics

http://www.historyplace.com/lincoln/kansas.htm

the dispute

http://www.castle.net/~rfrone/history/p16-al.htm

The Abe Lincoln page

http://www.cr.nps.gov/goldcres/cultural/plantcotton.html

Cotton South

http://members.aol.com/jfepperson/letcher.html

Reasons to seceed

http://members.aol.com/jfepperson/peace.html

peace proposals

http://www.ngeorgia.com/history/why.html

Causes of the Civil War

http://civilwar.bizsuite.com/divides.html

Civil War Divides U.S.

http://www.civilwarhome.com/confederatecause.htm

The Confederate Cause

http://www.ilt.columbia.edu/k12/history/gb/origin.html

Origins on the Civil War

http://www.americancivilwar.com/tl/timeline.html

Civil War Timeline

http://www.civilwarhome.com/europeandcivilwar.htm

Foreign involvement

http://www.nando.net/ncd/week5/free4.html

The underground railroad

Conclusion

Hopefully, you have gained a deeper understanding of the main issues leading up to the Civil War. The people living during this time were very passionate about their beliefs. It is important for us to take a stand, but we must also value viewpoints different from our own. After all, that is why America is not only known as a “melting pot”, but a nation founded on individual freedom. Remember, today’s majority could be tomorrow’s minority.