Key People and Primary Sources (The Civil War)
Grade Level: 8th Grade Subject: U.S. History
Overview & Purpose:
During this lesson over the Civil War students will be able to understand
how different time periods are linked to one another.
They will also analyze how economic differences among regions of the
United States had various effects on the nation.
Finally the lesson will highlight how key individuals, important issues and
significant events shape the outcome of wars.
Students will also be able to analyze Primary sources such as Lincoln’s
First and Second Inaugural Addresses & Jefferson Davis’ Inaugural
address to find similarities and differences.
Big Idea Questions:
 How did key individuals, issues, and events of the Civil War shape the
way the war played out?
 How have economic differences between regions affected the history
of the United States?
 What are the major eras of U.S. history and what characteristics define
them?
Prepared By: Chassidy Jeanminette
TEKS Covered
 8.1.A -  identify the major eras and events in
U.S. history through 1877, including, Civil War,
and Reconstruction, and describe their causes
and effects;
 8.1.B -  apply absolute and relative chronology
through the sequencing of significant
individuals, events, and time periods; and 
 8.1.C -  explain the significance of the following
dates: 1861-1865, Civil War
 8.8 -  The student understands individuals,
issues, and events of the Civil War
 8.8.A -  explain the roles played by significant
individuals during the Civil War, including
Jefferson Davis, Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E.
Lee, and Abraham Lincoln, and heroes such as
congressional Medal of Honor recipients
William Carney and Philip Bazaar; 
 8.8.B -  explain the causes of the Civil War,
including sectionalism, states rights, and
slavery, and significant events of the Civil War,
including the firing on Fort Sumter; the battles
of Antietam, Gettysburg, and Vicksburg; the
announcement of the Emancipation
Proclamation; Lees surrender at Appomattox
Court House; and the assassination of
Abraham Lincoln; and 
 8.8.C -  analyze Abraham Lincolns ideas about
liberty, equality, union, and government as
contained in his first and second inaugural
addresses and the Gettysburg Address and
contrast them with the ideas contained in
Jefferson Davis inaugural address. 
 Guide of Teacher Instruction Strategies for Students
Activities

Monday Civil War Primary Sources 1. Students will conduct a reading Teacher Resources:
 Emancipation comprehension activity over Lincoln’s
Proclamation Emancipation Proclamation.  http://
 Gettysburg 2. Students will then listen to and read Lincoln’s www.education.c
Address: Gettysburg Address. After reading the student om/study-help/
SOAPSTONE will complete a “quote interpretation/skills” article/us-history-
 Lincoln’s 1st and 2nd activity and conduct SOAPS strategy over the civil-war-
 Lincoln vs. Davis Gettysburg Address. emancipation-
Inaugural 3. Student will read selected excerpts from proclamation/
Addresses Lincoln and Davis’ Inaugural Addresses.  United Streaming:
Student will then respond to some essential Abraham Lincoln
Questions and complete a Matrix to compare in Office
Lincoln’s 1st and 2nd.  United Streaming:
Jefferson Davis
Tuesday 1. Students will view the Power Point
Image
Key People of the Civil War Presentation on Key People of the Civil War
 PowerPoint – Key 2. Students will then conduct research using the  LRE BioCards
People LRE Key Individuals cards to complete a  Mini Q’s in
 LRE Key Graphic organizer which highlights the American History-
Individuals Cards person, their role in the war, and their overall Gettysburg
significance.  Nystrom Atlas
3. Pre-AP addition: Student are asked to select
one individual to conduct independent
research on. The student will then create a
memorial placard for that person. All student
placards will be used to create a Civil War
Memorial Gallery Walk

Wednesday Students will use the Jack Daw’s DBQ packet

Jack Daw’s DBQ Project:
Was Gettysburg the
Turning Point of the War
Thursday In Depth Battle of Civil War
Overview: Nystrom Atlas
Activity
Technology Resources
to complete a well written essay “ Was
Gettysburg the Turning Point of the Civil
War?” 1. United Streaming
2. American the
Graphic Organizer and Mapping Activity over Story of Us
battles of the war

Friday Lee’s Surrender at 1. Students will take Cornell Notes Additional Notes
Appomattox Courthouse 2. Students will discuss and give Summary
and Results of the Civil War Statements of how the Civil War Impacted
American History