Social Studies - United States History I
Lesson Plans

U.S. I Strand 7: THE CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION

(Ca. 1820-1877)

Trends that started with the earliest colonization of America grew into sectional conflicts, and by the election of Lincoln in 1860 the nation was on the brink of civil war. The war had a profound impact on American society and American identity. Events leading to the war and the heavy toll of the war created a severely fractured America. The period of Reconstruction started the process of mending, but created new controversies as concepts of equality, democracy, and citizenship were redefined. The Civil War era and Reconstruction are important aspects of U.S. history, essential to understanding modern America, including race relations and inequality.

Possible Guiding Questions to Consider:

• Why were efforts at compromise unsuccessful immediately prior to the Civil War?
• What caused a growing number of people in the North to be opposed to slavery?
• Was it necessary and worthwhile to wage a war to preserve the Union?
• What does it take for a brother to take up arms against a brother?
• What forces made Reconstruction so difficult?
• Why does the Civil War remain such a defining event for American identity?
• Why does Lincoln reference ideas in the Declaration of Independence when referring to the Civil War?
• What is the proper way to memorialize controversial events and people?

---

http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - Robert  Austin and see the Social Studies website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - Jennifer  Throndsen.

These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Board of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Board of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.