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
Items that led to the outbreak of the Civil War:
1. Missouri Compromise (March 3, 1820)
2. Compromise of 1850 (September 20, 1850)
3. Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 (September 18, 1850)
4. Kansas-Nebraska Act (May 30, 1854)
5. Dred Scott Decision (March 6, 1857)
6. John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry (October 16, 1859)
7. Election of Abraham Lincoln (November 6, 1860)
8. Secession of Southern States (1860-1861)
9. Fort Sumter (April 12, 1861)
Step 2
- Missouri Compromise: Image of a map showing the division of free and slave states. Caption: The Missouri Compromise attempted to maintain a balance between free and slave states, but ultimately failed to do so.
- Compromise of 1850: Image of a political cartoon showing the debate over slavery. Caption: The Compromise of 1850 attempted to address the issue of slavery in newly acquired territories, but ended up intensifying tensions between the North and the South.
- Fugitive Slave Act of 1850: Image of a wanted poster for a runaway slave. Caption: The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 required citizens to assist in the capture of runaway slaves, further dividing the nation over the issue of slavery.
- Kansas-Nebraska Act: Image of "Bleeding Kansas" showing the violence over the issue of slavery. Caption: The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed popular sovereignty in the territories, leading to violent conflicts over the issue of slavery.
- Dred Scott Decision: Image of Dred Scott. Caption: The Dred Scott Decision ruled that African Americans were not citizens and upheld the legality of slavery, fueling abolitionist sentiments in the North.
- John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry: Image of John Brown. Caption: John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry was a failed attempt to start a slave rebellion, deepening tensions between abolitionists and slaveowners.
- Election of Abraham Lincoln: Image of Abraham Lincoln. Caption: Abraham Lincoln's election as President in 1860 without any Southern support led to Southern secession and the beginning of the Civil War.
- Secession of Southern States: Image of Confederate flags. Caption: The secession of Southern states in response to Lincoln's election represented the ultimate break in the Union over the issue of slavery.
- Fort Sumter: Image of Fort Sumter under attack. Caption: The Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in 1861 marked the beginning of the Civil War, as tensions over slavery could no longer be resolved peacefully.
Step 3
Create a timeline presentation showcasing each item with its corresponding image, caption, date, and summary of how it contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War. Use a visually appealing design to present the information effectively.