Throughout the years since the end of the Civil War, historians have been weighing in on the causes of that terrible time in the history of the United States. Interpretations have changed over the generations. Read the questions that...

A tutorial that looks at the main causes of the American Civil War. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.

In this 21st Century roleplay lesson, students use what they know about causes of the Civil War to have an educated discussion with another class. By utilizing Skype, students and teachers collaborate with one another in an engaging...

This well-researched extensive essay by Peter Stam looks at the issue of the number of African Americans serving in the Confederate Army as soldiers. By examining information from many historians, some of whom turn out to be unreliable,...

Analyze the Civil War through a multitude of primary source documents. This comprehensive site chronicles the Civil War in Virginia from its roots to the battles, and finally the consequences of this divisive war. Read letters and...

African American slaves are known to have fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War, which many people may not realize. Why they would fight on the side of slavery, and the evidence that they did, are discussed in this section of...

Twenty-seven university-level lectures on the causes, course, and consequences of the American Civil War. Available in audio, video, or text format.

Animated map tells the story of the events that led up to the first shots of the Civil War fired at Fort Sumter. [7:31]

The sidebar of this site reads "Understand the War Through People Then and Now." That is the mission of the site, and when you click on each word or phrase, you open up a world of information about the Civil War. Compiled resources help...

A wonderful resource using primary and secondary source materials to explore many facets of the Civil War from the war itself to its impact on the home front. Includes video and text downloads.

The military-industrial complex thrived in the North during the Civil War, but read about how inflation affected the ordinary worker. See how the role of women expanded to fill in for men who were away fighting. Women also had an impact...

A collection that uses primary sources to explore the American Abolitionist Movement.

A collection uses primary sources to explore the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

Presents key ideas for examining the events and issues that led to the American Civil War.

A lesson plan from the producers of the 16-episode PBS series "Freedom: A History of US" that examines the goal of the Missouri Compromise. A good lesson for comparing and contrasting life in the North and South in the run-up to the...

CommonLit.org is a wonderful resource to use in a Language Arts classroom. Each story or article is accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. In addition, students can click on words to see...

This collection uses primary sources to explore the secession of southern states from the United States prior to the Civil War.

This collection uses primary sources to explore Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs.

Through a comprehensive powerpoint presentation, students will learn details of the five main causes of the Civil War in the United States.

Provides information on the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the consequences of its passing. From "The Civil War and Reconstruction" by Randall and McDonald.

Read about how the destruction of Lawrence, Kansas, seat of the Free-Soiler government by border ruffians inflamed attitudes in the North toward the actions of the slave-holders.

This comprehensive profile of Colombia's Civil Conflict examines the conflict's causes, its ramifications on the country, and its implications for Colombia's relationship with the United States. Links to related audio and video are...

PBS' four-part series, "Africans in America," highlights the antislavery movement, including a focus on John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry. Content includes a description of the event, as well as the after-effects including the news of...

Read the terms of the Dred Scott decision which determined that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional. See why this decision was so controversial and completely unacceptable to the northerners, thus driving an additional wedge...