Causes of the American Civil War

Causes of the American Civil War

Mrs. McLaughlin St. Francis of Assisi School

Social Studies 8 Date Created: October 26, 2013

Introduction

Welcome to the year 1860! A lot has been going on recently, what with talk of a war being the latest buzz. Some redneck in a stovepipe hat has recently been elected President and people are arguing more than ever! Your job is to get the truth: why is everyone arguing? What are the reasons these people give for the decisions they make and how they feel? Your group will study the main causes for this "unpleasant dispute" and take on roles of the time period in order to act out a dinner party where you will display your characters' reasons and explanations for the ways they feel. Good luck!

Task

$C:\Users\ann\Desktop\lincoln.jpg$

Your task is to give an overview of the topic from the perspective of one of the following assigned roles (Abraham Lincoln, an Abolitionist, a southern plantation owner, or a northern businessman).

You will create a Reader’s Theater presentation. The scenario: 1860, an evening dinner party in Washington, D.C. and each of you will be attending. Be prepared to discuss the "current" events!

Process

It's time to step back in time and into the shoes of some of the people who lived in the time leading up to the Civil War. You will research the top causes for the Civil War and each group member will take a role: Abolitionist, President Lincoln, a southern plantation- and slave- owner, and a northern businessman (or businesswoman). Discuss what you already know about these roles with your group. Figure out what you already know and what you still need to find out about these roles. Your group will put on a skit in which your characters will attend a dinner party and discuss these important and current issues.

Once you’ve decided who you are use these steps to analyze your point of view

• Identify the nature of an historical social problem

• Gather evidence to support the existence of the problem

• Determine the causes and factors contributing to the problem

• Identify and evaluate the policy enacted at that time in history

You will first need to define a few words and phrases and identify a few people to help you understand the events.

Use these resources and any other you might find to clarify your point of view.

· http://www.kidskonnect.com/subjectindex/16-educational/history/264-civil-war.html

· http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/civilwar.htm

· http://www.history.com/minisites/civilwar/viewPage?pageId=628

· http://americanhistory.about.com/b/a/242685.htm\

· http://www.us-civilwar.com/

· http://americanhistory.about.com/b/2011/04/12/top-five-causes-of-the-civil-war-2.htm

· http://cybersleuth-kids.com/sleuth/History/US_History/Civil_War/index.htm

· http://www.pocanticohills.org/civilwar/cwar.htm

· http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/index_grades35.htm

$C:\Users\ann\Desktop\dinner.jpg$

Take notes for your individual role in a Word document that you save to the school server. Discuss amongst your group how these various roles might interact with each other.

Based on your research about each individual’s point of view, create your Reader’s Theater presentation.

Have your dialogue planned out in order to show and discuss the causes of the War.

Ask your group members...

· Who will speak first and what will that person say?

· How would these people interact with one another?

· Where would they sit at the table?

· Will you need other performers?

Characteristics of an Effective Reader’s Theater Reader

An effective reader….

Reads with expression, proper emphasis, and clear enunciation, using his/her voice effectively to convey meaning.
Projects to the audience.
Is familiar with the part and is able to read it with fluency.
Paces himself/herself effectively.
Uses props, when employed, effectively (the script is a prop).
Demonstrates poise and self-confidence.

$C:\Users\ann\Desktop\flags.jpg$

Evaluation

Historical Reader’s Theater: Civil War Dinner Party

Teacher Name: Mrs. McLaughlin

Students’ Names: _________________________

_________________________

CATEGORY	4	3		2	1
Historical Accuracy	All historical information appeared to be accurate and in chronological order.		Almost all historical information appeared to be accurate and in chronological order.	Most of the historical information was accurate and in chronological order.	Very little of the historical information was accurate and/or in chronological order.
Role	Point-of-view, arguments, and solutions proposed were consistently in character.		Point-of-view, arguments, and solutions proposed were often in character.	Point-of-view, arguments, and solutions proposed were sometimes in character.	Point-of-view, arguments, and solutions proposed were rarely in character.
Knowledge Gained	Can clearly explain several ways in which his character "saw" things differently than other characters and can clearly explain why.		Can clearly explain several ways in which his character "saw" things differently than other characters.	Can clearly explain one way in which his character "saw" things differently than other characters.	Cannot explain one way in which his character "saw" things differently than other characters.
Required Elements	Student included more information than was required.		Student included all information that was required.	Student included most information that was required.	Student included less information than was required.
Presentation	Student spoke clearly and loudly, made eye contact with audience, and displayed in-depth knowledge of material.		Student spoke well and displayed adequate knowledge of material.	Student spoke nervously, but displayed knowledge of material.	Student's speech could not be understood by audience and/or the student did not display knowledge of material.

Conclusion

You've completed your study of the causes of the Civil War and represented your role in your Reader’s Theater about the dinner party. It's always important to study all sides in a conflict and to try and understand each perspective to better understand ourselves and the world around us. If you'd like to read more about the Civil War or explore it more on the web, you'll find some great book recommendations and web links below. Great job, everybody!

Looking for a good book? Check these out!

· Chang, Ina. A Separate Battle: Women and the Civil War (Young Readers' History of the Civil War).New York: Puffin, 1996.

· Massie, Elizabeth. A House Divided- A Novel of the Civil War. New York: Tor Teen, 2007.

· Mettger, Zak. Till Victory Is Won: Black Soldiers in the Civil War (Young Readers' History of the Civil War). New York: Dutton Juvenile, 1996.

· Peck, Richard. The River Between Us. New York: Puffin Books, 2003.

· Ratcliff, Thomas. You Wouldn't Want to be a Civil War Soldier. New York: Franklin Watts, 2004.

· Wisler, G. Clifton. When Johnny Went Marching: Young Americans Fight the Civil War. New York: HarperCollins, 2001.