Why Study the United States' Civil War?
Learning about our nation’s history is vital. Events from the past currently shape our society and will continue to do so in the coming years. It is important that students all learn and critically analyze such events because doing so will empower them to assure that no injustice ever repeats itself. The California State Standards requires that all teachers to inform and educate students on this particular historical event. Even though, this is a state mandate, students should learn and critically assess the Civil War for various reasons.
This war was unique in that the country was engaging in a four-year battle with itself. Southern, rebellious states, otherwise known as the Confederate States of America, initiated a war against the federal government over the issues of federalism and self-determination. The war, however, will gain a moral cause when addressing the issue of slavery.
By analyzing primary and secondary resources, students do away with the assumptions many Americans make regarding the Civil War. Common misconceptions entail the following: the cause of the war was a result of slavery, President Lincoln freed all the slaves, and the Union would dominate the war. By learning through close readings of documents, instruction, and collaboration, students will learn the different views and interpretations leaders had regarding the relationship states have with the federal government; the geographic, social, economic, and political differences between the North and South; the catalyst of political compromises between free- and slave states; Lincoln’s view towards slavery and his goal throughout the war; the roles different groups had during the war; and the technological changes that occurred as a result of the Civil War.
In order to foster a culture of independent thinking and collaboration, students will gain various skills to aide them throughout their schooling and career. By critically reading and analyzing President Lincoln’s speeches and documents, students will learn that Lincoln used his privileges of being President to suppress any opposition to the war. In addition, students will learn that Lincoln’s goal was to keep the Union intact, regardless of whether or not slavery would still be present. Because creativity and innovation is embedded in our culture, students will learn how political cartoons convey a view towards a certain issue or reality. Knowing how to decipher such creative statements, students will create their own political cartoons to address an issue they see within their community, state, or country.
The battles, executive orders, speeches, and changes that occurred in the Civil War shaped Americans’ view towards war. The goal is for students, like a detective, to investigate key individuals, events, speeches, and actions to learn that a war, though glorious, has a dark and complicated aspect. Knowing about the United States' Civil War, students will be able to understand how issues of federalism, slavery, racism, and technology continue to affect our society and politics.
This war was unique in that the country was engaging in a four-year battle with itself. Southern, rebellious states, otherwise known as the Confederate States of America, initiated a war against the federal government over the issues of federalism and self-determination. The war, however, will gain a moral cause when addressing the issue of slavery.
By analyzing primary and secondary resources, students do away with the assumptions many Americans make regarding the Civil War. Common misconceptions entail the following: the cause of the war was a result of slavery, President Lincoln freed all the slaves, and the Union would dominate the war. By learning through close readings of documents, instruction, and collaboration, students will learn the different views and interpretations leaders had regarding the relationship states have with the federal government; the geographic, social, economic, and political differences between the North and South; the catalyst of political compromises between free- and slave states; Lincoln’s view towards slavery and his goal throughout the war; the roles different groups had during the war; and the technological changes that occurred as a result of the Civil War.
In order to foster a culture of independent thinking and collaboration, students will gain various skills to aide them throughout their schooling and career. By critically reading and analyzing President Lincoln’s speeches and documents, students will learn that Lincoln used his privileges of being President to suppress any opposition to the war. In addition, students will learn that Lincoln’s goal was to keep the Union intact, regardless of whether or not slavery would still be present. Because creativity and innovation is embedded in our culture, students will learn how political cartoons convey a view towards a certain issue or reality. Knowing how to decipher such creative statements, students will create their own political cartoons to address an issue they see within their community, state, or country.
The battles, executive orders, speeches, and changes that occurred in the Civil War shaped Americans’ view towards war. The goal is for students, like a detective, to investigate key individuals, events, speeches, and actions to learn that a war, though glorious, has a dark and complicated aspect. Knowing about the United States' Civil War, students will be able to understand how issues of federalism, slavery, racism, and technology continue to affect our society and politics.