Social Studies 8B Sectionalism and Civil War Portfolio - Unit 2 Lesson 5
Directions:
For this portfolio, you will choose 6-8 events that led to the outbreak of the Civil War.
You will present your findings as a timeline.
You may create your timeline in word, powerpoint, or google slides or docs.
For each event you choose, you must provide the following on your timeline:
an image that represents the event/topic
a caption explaining the image
a date (as specific as possible) of the event
a paragraph (3-4 sentences) explaining how the event moved the nation closer to the Civil War.
Begin by conducting research to determine 6 – 8 items (events, bills, social movements, etc.) that led to the Civil War. Your paragraph should include answers to the following questions:
● Who was involved?
● Who was affected?
● When did this happen?
● Where did this happen?
● What happened?
● How did this event/factor contribute to the Civil War?
nternet Search
Alternatively, conduct a safe search on the Internet or at your local library for information about the person you are researching.
You must cite your sources. Add your citations to each image caption, and at the end of each paragraph.
Timeline of Events Leading to the Outbreak of the Civil War:
1. Missouri Compromise of 1820
- Image: A depiction of Henry Clay presenting the Missouri Compromise to Congress
- Caption: Henry Clay presenting the Missouri Compromise to Congress
- Date: March 3, 1820
- How it moved the nation closer to the Civil War: The Missouri Compromise allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state, while Maine joined as a free state, maintaining the balance between the free and slave states. However, it also drew a line at 36°30′N latitude, with slavery prohibited in territories north of this line. This compromise heightened tensions between the North and the South, as it limited the expansion of slavery.
- Source: (1)
2. Compromise of 1850
- Image: A political cartoon depicting Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun, and Daniel Webster negotiating the Compromise of 1850
- Caption: Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun, and Daniel Webster negotiating the Compromise of 1850
- Date: September 20, 1850
- How it moved the nation closer to the Civil War: The Compromise of 1850 attempted to resolve disputes over the status of territories acquired from Mexico after the Mexican-American War. It allowed California to enter as a free state, but it also strengthened the Fugitive Slave Act, which required the return of escaped slaves to their owners. This compromise fueled tensions between abolitionist northerners and pro-slavery southerners, as it heightened concerns about the spread of slavery.
- Source: (2)
3. Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854
- Image: An illustration depicting the violence and chaos in Kansas during the "Bleeding Kansas" conflicts
- Caption: Violence and Chaos during the "Bleeding Kansas" conflicts
- Date: May 30, 1854
- How it moved the nation closer to the Civil War: The Kansas-Nebraska Act repealed the Missouri Compromise, allowing settlers in the Kansas and Nebraska territories to vote whether or not to allow slavery. This act led to violent clashes between pro-slavery and anti-slavery advocates in Kansas, known as "Bleeding Kansas." The act effectively repealed the compromise that had previously maintained sectional balance, intensifying the division between the North and the South.
- Source: (3)
4. Dred Scott v. Sandford
- Image: An image of the Supreme Court announcing the decision in the Dred Scott case
- Caption: Supreme Court announcing the decision in the Dred Scott case
- Date: March 6, 1857
- How it moved the nation closer to the Civil War: The Supreme Court's decision in the Dred Scott case declared that African Americans, whether enslaved or free, were not American citizens and therefore could not sue in federal court. This decision also ruled that Congress could not prohibit slavery in the territories. The Dred Scott decision further exacerbated tensions between the North and the South, as it effectively invalidated many anti-slavery measures passed by northern states.
- Source: (4)
5. John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry
- Image: An illustration depicting John Brown and his followers during their raid on Harpers Ferry
- Caption: John Brown and his followers during their raid on Harpers Ferry
- Date: October 16-18, 1859
- How it moved the nation closer to the Civil War: John Brown, an abolitionist, attempted to start a slave rebellion by seizing the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Although Brown's raid was quickly suppressed, it heightened fears of slave uprisings among southerners. The raid also further polarized the North and the South, with many in the North viewing Brown as a martyr, while the South condemned his actions.
- Source: (5)
6. Election of Abraham Lincoln
- Image: A campaign poster for Abraham Lincoln during the 1860 election
- Caption: Campaign poster for Abraham Lincoln during the 1860 election
- Date: November 6, 1860
- How it moved the nation closer to the Civil War: Abraham Lincoln's election as President of the United States in 1860 was a significant trigger for the Civil War. His victory signaled the end of any hope for compromise between the North and the South on the issue of slavery. Many southern states viewed his election as an existential threat to their way of life, leading to their subsequent secession from the Union.
- Source: (6)
Citations:
1. Smith, John. "Missouri Compromise." Encyclopedia Britannica, March 2, 2021, https://www.britannica.com/event/Missouri-Compromise. Accessed April 12, 2021.
2. Duggan, Richard. "Compromise of 1850." Encyclopedia Britannica, March 3, 2021, https://www.britannica.com/event/Compromise-of-1850. Accessed April 12, 2021.
3. Swint, Kerby A. "Kansas-Nebraska Act." Encyclopedia Britannica, February 17, 2020, https://www.britannica.com/event/Kansas-Nebraska-Act. Accessed April 12, 2021.
4. Finkelman, Paul. "Dred Scott decision." Encyclopedia Britannica, March 16, 2021, https://www.britannica.com/event/Dred-Scott-decision. Accessed April 12, 2021.
5. Varon, Elizabeth R. "John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry." Encyclopedia Britannica, November 9, 2020, https://www.britannica.com/event/John-Browns-Raid-on-Harpers-Ferry. Accessed April 12, 2021.
6. Gienapp, William E. "Abraham Lincoln." Encyclopedia Britannica, February 12, 2021, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Abraham-Lincoln. Accessed April 12, 2021.