Can a presidential election cause a civil war? Learners research the events surrounding the presidential election of 1860 in a lesson that explores America's history. Using maps, videos, and primary sources, they uncover, brainstorm, and present the tensions surrounding the election of Abraham Lincoln.

Concepts

causes of the civil war, the united states civil war, abraham lincoln

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Compare and contrast the 1860 presidential election, and its issues, to the latest presidential election to bring more realism to the impact of presidents on larger issues
• Divide class into research teams to investigate and present the role the Civil War played on different groups in society (women, freed-men, ex-slaves, current slaves, etc.)

Classroom Considerations

• Includes overhead projector and transparencies, adjust for today's technology
  
• Lesson is designed to take two hours
• The ninth installment of a 22-part series
  

Pros

• Resource provides detailed visuals to enlarge for classroom use 
• Lesson includes printable worksheets and materials 

Cons

• None

Common Core

RH.6-8.1 RH.6-8.2 RH.6-8.3 RH.9-10.1 RH.9-10.2 RH.9-10.3 RH.11-12.1 RH.11-12.2 RH.11-12.3