Student Handout (pdf)

Grade Levels: 5–12

Subjects: U.S. History, Geography

Overview:

This activity works well as an introduction to learning about the Civil War. It sets the stage for student understanding of why the war was fought, the objectives and strategies of both sides, and the sectional differences that augmented the debate over the direction of the country. Students will view three video clips from The Civil War and analyze a map of the Union's 'Grand Strategy' to defeat the Confederacy. Student questions provided here can be used for general class discussion or individual assessment. Answers to the questions are included.

Related Video:

ACTIVITY #2

African-American Troops and Robert Gould Shaw of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment

Student Handout (pdf)

Grade Levels: 5–12

Subject: U.S. History

Introduction:

Will the slave fight? If any man asks you, tell him 'no'… But, if anyone asks you, will a Negro fight? Tell him 'YES!'

One of the ironies of the Civil War was that in a fight to end slavery, African Americans were initially denied the right to participate. During the first two years of fighting, President Abraham Lincoln claimed the fight was to save the Union, and that African Americans had no place in the war. However, with the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, the objectives of the war changed and African-American regiments were formed.

Overview:

This activity helps students understand the impact of the Emancipation Proclamation on changing the nature of the war, as well as how that change was manifested in the entry of African Americans to the Union cause. In this activity, students view a video clip from The Civil War on the formation of African-American regiments, particularly the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, explaining the difficulty that African-American soldiers faced in being accepted as equals and how their bravery brought a modicum of acceptance, albeit reluctantly, by white soldiers. Students also analyze the final letter by Robert Gould Shaw, commander of the regiment, to his wife the day before the Union assault on Battery Wagner. Student questions provided here can be used for general class discussion or individual assessment. Answers to the questions are included..

Related Video:

Resources:

• CivilWar-Online.com: Letter from Robert Gould Shaw to his wife Annie

ACTIVITY #3

Civil War Music

Student Handout (pdf)

Grade Levels: 5–12

Subject: U.S. History

Introduction:

This activity shows students how both in the North and in the South, music was used extensively during the Civil War to rally troops and the public. Different versions of familiar songs, in which both sides borrowed each other's tunes or lyrics, are presented. It was not uncommon for each side to serenade the other, or for battle to stop while an impromptu concert was held. Singing an 'altered rendition' of one side's favorite song was often done to poke fun at the enemy. Students will examine lyrics of 'Battle Cry of Freedom' and 'Dixie' with versions from both sides, and make conclusions about the lyrics. Student questions provided here can be used for general class discussion or individual assessment. Answers to the questions are included.

Resources:

• YouTube: 'The Battle Cry of Freedom' (Union version) Music
• Library of Congress: 'Union War Song' Lyrics and Sheet Music
• YouTube: 'The Battle Cry of Freedom' (Confederate version) Music
• Library of Congress: 'Dixie War Song' Lyrics and Sheet Music

ACTIVITY #4

Lee and Grant at Appomattox Court House

Student Handout (pdf)

Grade Levels: 5–8

Subject: U.S. History

Introduction:

The Civil War holds the distinction of being the bloodiest war in American history, unimaginable in its brutality. More than 3 million Americans fought in it and over 600,000 men—2 percent of the population—died in it. For many Americans, it was difficult to even conceive how the war might end and, even if it did, even more challenging to envision how the two sides could ever find a way to share the same nation once again. This activity will help students understand how the two sides did reconcile, beginning with the terms of surrender bestowed by President Abraham Lincoln through Union General Ulysses S. Grant to Confederate General Robert E. Lee and the Army of Virginia.

Overview:

Students will view a clip from The Civil War and analyze the surrender terms as well as the events leading to Lee's surrender. Then they will review selections from General Grant's memoirs. Discussion questions follow, which can be used for general class discussion or individual assessment. Answers to the questions are included.

Related Video:

Resources:

• PBS/American Experience: The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant, Chapter LXVII

ACTIVITY #5

Sherman's March to the Sea

Student Handout (pdf)

Grade Levels: 5–8

Subject: U.S. History

Introduction

You cannot qualify war in harsher terms than I will. War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it; and those who brought war into our country deserve all the curses and maledictions a people can pour out.

The Civil War Mr. Mac's Class 2019 20 Printable

Overview:

The Civil War Mr. Mac's Class 2019 20 Full

This activity helps students understand how the Union's 'March to the Sea' was one of the more controversial aspects of the later phases of the Civil War. Sent by Ulysses S. Grant to 'create havoc and destruction of all resources that would be beneficial to the enemy,' Sherman began his 'Atlanta Campaign' in May 1864. Students will view a video clip from The Civil War series that explains how, after capturing Atlanta, Sherman marched his army to the sea, capturing the city of Savannah in December, and then marching through South Carolina into North Carolina. Students will then analyze two primary sources. First, they will look at a letter written by Sherman to Grant as Sherman's army approached Savannah. Second, they will review the lyrics to the popular song of that period, 'Marching Through Georgia.' Student questions follow, which can be used for general class discussion or individual assessment. Answers to the questions are included.

Related Video:

Resources:

The Civil Warmr. Mac's Class 2019 2020

• Library of Congress: Audio clip of 'Marching through Georgia'
• New Georgia Encyclopedia: Lyrics from 'Marching through Georgia'