The Truth Marches On a Web Unit of The U.S. Civil War

 
 
 
 
 
 

Inquiry Activities 1. You Are the Historian     Analyzing Primary Sources Historians use two main types of sources in their research, primary sources and secondary sources. Primary sources are obtained by or come from direct personal observation. Some of the primary sources you'll use during your research are items that were produced during the Civil War. These sources include photographs, documents, diaries, letters, poetry, speeches, newspapers, art, and music. Secondary sources are materials prepared later by people who studied the primary sources. Some of the secondary sources you'll use include textbooks, encyclopedias, videos, and books written about the war. As a historian, your task is to read and examine the primary sources under "What Do You See?" and "Analyze a Document." What Do You See? In this activity you will closely examine a larger image of this Civil War photograph taken in 1864. The larger photograph is divided into six separate sections and has questions for each section. Click on the photograph to enter. ( A teacher material page provides objectives, preparation,  instructional procedure and evaluation of this unit.)   Analyze a Document Abraham Lincoln gave one of the copies of the Gettysburg Address to his secretary, John Nicolay. This copy is believed to be the earliest one that exists. Click on "Analyze a Document" and read about the history of the speech.  Then scroll down and click on "Nicolay Draft of the Gettysburg Address, page 1 and page 2" to see the speech in Lincoln's own handwriting.  After you have read and closely examined Lincoln's speech, answer the questions on the Written Document Analysis Worksheet provided by the National Archives and Records Administration. Either use a separate sheet of paper or print out the worksheet. 2. Walk in the Shoes of an American During the Civil War While moving some boxes out of an old attic, you find a dusty trunk in a forgotten corner. Out of curiosity, you open the trunk and find it filled with historical objects from the Civil War. Your task is to choose one of the people below as the trunk's owner and complete activities a, b, and c as that person. African American Slave African American Abolitionist Army Doctor or Nurse A person your age during the Civil War Confederate General Confederate Soldier Prisoner of War "Traveler" of the Underground Railroad Union General Union Soldier Woman on the Home front a.  Research how your character would answer the following questions. Look at the Resources page and the Civil War books to find photographs of the clothing, housing, food, weapons, and living conditions of the time.      What was your life like before the Civil War?     What is a typical day like for you?     What is your character's view of slavery?      How do you dress?      What do you eat?      What is your family life like?      How did the Civil War change your life? b. The items you found in the trunk are personal belongings of yours. Describe 10 of the items in the trunk in detail. (Use the Resources page and the Civil War books to research your person.) c. Keep a one week journal of your life during the Civil War as the person you chose from the list.  Give your name, age, and the city and state you're from. Use the information you gathered from your research to write your journal. Choose 3 or 4 below: 3. Time Line Decide on a specific period of time during the Civil War (no longer than one year) and create your own time line. You may illustrate if you wish. Look at the time lines offered on the resources page for ideas and accurate dates. 4. Research Paper What caused the Civil War? Defend your position in a 3 page research paper. Be sure to cite your sources.