Sectionalism and Civil War Portfolio Directions
Description
The decades leading up to the Civil War had a recurring problem that proved very difficult to solve: slavery or, more specifically, the spread of slavery. The number of free states and slave states was almost equal, so the representation in Congress was pretty close to equal as well. Those two groups were able to work with each other as long as one group didn’t get too much larger than the other. The addition of a new state would threaten that balance. As time went on, the issue would become personal. People in the South saw slavery as essential to their way of life. People in the North saw it as immoral. Eventually, the issue would threaten more than a numbers game in Congress.
For this portfolio project, you will explore 8–10 factors that led to the outbreak of the Civil War. You will then present your findings in a timeline. For each item, you must include an image, a caption for the image, a date (as specific as possible), and a thorough explanation of how that event or factor helped lead to the Civil War. Begin your work by completing the following steps:
1. Identify items (events or factors) that led to the Civil War through your work in your class lessons. Be sure to include factors that cover a variety of areas—social, political, and economic.
2. Identify a date associated with each item. Be as specific as possible. If your item is a single event, include the month, day, and year. If it’s not a single event, include the month and year, or just a year.
3. Identify visuals to represent each item you choose.
4. Write a caption (one or two sentences) explaining how your visual corresponds to the item.
5. Write a summary (at least one paragraph) explaining how the item helped to lead to the outbreak of the Civil War.
Your portfolio assignment has three steps:
1. Research and choose your items.
2. Gather an image and a date for each item and write a caption for each image and a summary for each item.
3. Determine the format and create your product.
Step 1: Research and Choose Your Items
In order to complete this portfolio project, you will need to research and choose 8-10 factors that led to the outbreak of the Civil War. These factors should cover a variety of areas including social, political, and economic aspects. Here are a few examples to get you started:
1. Missouri Compromise (1820) - Image: Illustration of Henry Clay, caption: "Henry Clay and the Missouri Compromise"
This political agreement balanced the number of slave and free states by admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. It demonstrated the growing divide and tensions between the North and South over the spread of slavery.
2. Compromise of 1850 (1850) - Image: Map depicting the territories affected by the Compromise of 1850, caption: "Territories affected by the Compromise of 1850"
This political compromise allowed California to enter the Union as a free state and implemented stricter fugitive slave laws. It highlighted the ongoing debates over the expansion of slavery and fueled tensions between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions.
3. Dred Scott Decision (1857) - Image: Political cartoon mocking the Dred Scott Decision, caption: "Political cartoon mocking the Dred Scott Decision"
The Supreme Court's ruling in the Dred Scott case stated that African Americans, whether free or enslaved, were not citizens and therefore had no rights. This decision further deepened the divide between North and South, as it outraged abolitionists and solidified support for slavery in the South.
4. Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852) - Image: Book cover of Uncle Tom's Cabin, caption: "Uncle Tom's Cabin and its impact"
Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel depicted the cruelty of slavery and aimed to humanize enslaved individuals. It became a bestseller and ignited widespread discussions about the moral implications of slavery. It increased tensions between North and South and galvanized anti-slavery sentiments.
Step 2: Gather Images, Dates, Captions, and Summaries
Once you have identified your items, gather an image to represent each factor, find a specific date associated with the event, and write a caption and summary for each.
5. Bleeding Kansas (1854-1861) - Image: Photo of pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces in Kansas, caption: "Pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces clash in Bleeding Kansas"
This conflict emerged as a result of the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the popular sovereignty principle. Pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers moved to Kansas to influence its stance on slavery. The violence and bloodshed demonstrated the intensity of sectional tensions and the breakdown of compromise.
6. John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry (1859) - Image: Illustration of John Brown during his raid, caption: "John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry"
John Brown, an abolitionist, led a failed attempt to start a slave uprising by seizing the federal armory at Harper's Ferry. His actions further polarized the North and South, with the South fearing slave rebellions and the North viewing him as a martyr for the abolitionist cause.
7. Election of Abraham Lincoln (1860) - Image: Campaign poster for Abraham Lincoln, caption: "Campaign poster for Abraham Lincoln"
Lincoln's victory as a Republican candidate, who opposed the expansion of slavery, sparked deep distress among Southern states. Many believed his election threatened their way of life and prompted several states to secede from the Union, leading to the formation of the Confederacy.
Step 3: Determine the Format and Create Your Product
Now that you have gathered all the necessary information, you will need to determine the format for your portfolio project. You could create a digital timeline using software or online tools, or you can create a physical timeline on poster boards. Arrange your chosen factors in chronological order and include the images, captions, dates, and summaries for each item.
Remember to present your findings comprehensively and ensure that your timeline effectively demonstrates how each factor contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War.