What is the balance between constitutional rights and security during a war? Young historians debate the question while looking at Lincoln's decision to suspect habeas corpus during the Civil War. After reviewing his order, discussion questions and a writing prompt help them unpack the controversies surrounding this decision. 

Concepts

habeas corpus, abraham lincoln, the united states civil war, civil war, constitutional rights, primary source analysis, primary sources, primary source images

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Use document activity to supplement instruction of the Civil War
• Offer document analysis to stimulate a debate on the balance of individual rights and national security

Classroom Considerations

• Class members need access to a computer to complete the lesson

Pros

• Online document is interactive and zeroes in on key phrases
• Activity is adaptable to a variety of uses to teach about constitutional rights, Lincoln, or the Civil War

Cons

• None

Common Core

RH.9-10.1 RH.9-10.2 RH.9-10.4 RH.9-10.5 RH.9-10.9 RH.9-10.10 RH.11-12.1 RH.11-12.2 RH.11-12.3 RH.11-12.4 RH.11-12.5 RH.11-12.9 RH.11-12.10