American Civil War Lesson (55 minutes)

London Nautical School

May 12th, 2014
1. Slavery (10 minutes)
a. Think to yourself:
i. What does slavery mean? Think about what you
would tell someone if they asked you.
b. Turn to the person sitting next to you and tell them your
definition.
i. Were they the same? Pick the best one, or
combine the two to make what you think is a
quality definition.
c. Pick on each group to share the definition that they thought
was the best out of the two.
d. Answer any questions and clear up any confusion with what
slavery is.
i. Slavery is: a civil relationship whereby one
person has absolute power over another and
controls his life, liberty, and fortune.
e. The whys of slavery:
i. Why do you think slaves were needed?
2. North and South Activity (15 minutes)
a. Pass out the handouts, one to each child
b. Explain the activity
i. Read your scenario
ii. Decide whether you are for or against slavery
iii. Give evidence and explanation
c. Choose a few to have read aloud
i. Make sure that they give an explanation
d. Ask the class as a whole:
i. Which side, the North or the South, was for
slavery?
ii. Which, then, was against it?
iii. What are the major influences of being for or
against it?
3. War simulation (10 minutes)
a. http://www.history.com/interactives/civil-war-150#/5deadliest-battles
4. Video (5 minutes)
a. http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/freemovies/civilwar/
5. Question and Answer (15 minutes)
a. Civil War
b. General questions about the United States or Michigan