SOL 9D: ROLES of CIVIL WAR LEADERS 1. Abraham Lincoln
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SOL 9d: ROLES OF CIVIL WAR LEADERS 1. Abraham Lincoln – President of the United States – Opposed the spread of slavery – Issued the Emancipation Proclamation – Determined to preserve the Union,by force if necessary – Believed the United States was one nation, not a collection of independent states – Wrote the Gettysburg Address that said the Civil War was to preserve a government ―of the people, by the people, and for the people. When did Lincoln act to abolish slavery; Why? How did people feel about the Emancipation Proclamation? 2. Jefferson Davis – Was president of the Confederate States of America Was it easy to lead the Southern states: why or why not? What was something that surprised you about him? 3. Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson – Was a skilled Confederate general from Virginia How did Stonewall Jackson act in battle? Do you think his death affected the outcome of the War and why? 4. Ulysses S. Grant – Was general of the Union army that defeated Lee What do you think was one of Grant’s strengths / weakness? What was something that surprised you about him? 1 5. Robert E. Lee – Was leader of the Army of Northern Virginia – Was offered command of the Union forces at the beginning of the war, but chose not to fight against Virginia – Opposed secession, but did not believe the Union should be held together by force – Urged Southerners to accept defeat at the end of the war and reunite as Americans when some wanted to fight on What do you think was one of Robert E. Lee’s strengths / weaknesses? What was something that surprised you about him? 6. Frederick Douglass – Was an enslaved African American who escaped to the North and became an abolitionist How did Frederick Douglass feel about the War and what did he want to happen? What is something that surprised you about him? ASSIGNMENT 1: Choose one of the above Leaders, and on a separate piece of paper, write a letter to him with advice that he could use. Sol 9e: MAJOR BATTLES AND EVENTS 1. -The firing on Fort Sumter, S.C., began the war. How did people in the South feel about the firing on Fort Sumter? What surprised you about the battle? 2. -The first Battle of Manassas (Bull Run) was the first major battle. List two things you learned about this battle. 2 3. –The signing of the Emancipation Proclamation made freeing the slaves the new focus of the war. What was the purpose of the Emancipation Proclamation? Who did it actually free? 4. -The Battle of Vicksburg divided the South; the North controlled the Mississippi River. Why was Vicksburg important? 5. -The Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point of the war; the North repelled Lee’s invasion. Why were the armies in Pennsylvania? Why do you think this battle was “the Turning Point” in the War? 6. -Lee’s surrender to Grant at Appomattox Court House in 1865 ended the war. Why do you think Lee did not want to continue fighting? ASSIGNMENT 2: On a separate piece of paper, write a newspaper account of one of the above Events or Battles. Include as much descriptive details as you know the public will want to hear. Also tell your readers what you think is the importance of the Event or Battle you have chosen. SOL 9e: Influence of location and topography on critical developments in the war 1. The Union blockade of southern ports (e.g., Savannah, Charleston, New Orleans) Why would the Union want to blockade Southern Ports? What was the effect? 3 2. Control of the Mississippi River (e.g., Vicksburg) Why was the control of the Mississippi River important to either side? Who eventually got control of it, and how? 3. Battle locations influenced by the struggle to capture capital cities (e.g., Richmond; Washington, D.C.) Why were battles influenced by the struggle to capture capital cities? 4. Control of the high ground (e.g., Gettysburg) Why would control of the high ground matter in a battle? ASSIGNMENT 3: You are either President Lincoln or President Davis. If you could only choose one strategy (blockade OR control of Mississippi OR high ground OR capturing capital cities) which would it be – and why? Write this advice to your General. SOL 9f: General effects of the war 1. Family members were often pitted against one another, as were friends against friends. Give examples. Why do you think this happened, and what made it so difficult? 2. As the war went on, Southern troops became increasingly younger and more poorly equipped and clothed. Why was this so? 3. Combat was brutal and often man-to-man. What was the worst example you saw? 4 4. Disease was a major killer. Why was there so much disease? 5. Clara Barton, a Civil War nurse, created the American Red Cross. Why did Clara Barton begin to care for soldiers and what was the result of that? 6. Women were left to run businesses in the North and farms and plantations in the South. How do you think this affected women’s lives and why was it necessary? 7. The collapse of the Confederacy made Confederate money worthless. What happens when your money is worthless; list examples. ASSIGNMENT 4: Imagine you are dealing with one of the above effects. On a separate piece of paper, write a letter home to your Mother, and tell her about what you are going through, and how you are handling it. Also tell her why you think it is happening. SOL 9f: Effects of the war on African Americans 1. Some African Americans accompanied Confederate units in the field. Why did some slaves serve in the Confederacy, and what did they do? 5 2. The Confederacy used enslaved African Americans as ship workers, laborers, cooks, and camp workers. Why did they use slaves for this work as opposed to soldiers? 3. Many freed African Americans joined the Union army. The Union moved to enlist African American sailors and soldiers during the war. State how this could help the Union, and why would they be good soldiers? 4. African American soldiers were paid less than white soldiers. Do you think this was fair? Why or why not? 5. African American soldiers were discriminated against and served in segregated units under the command of white officers. Why do you think this was so? 6. Robert Smalls, an African American sailor and later a Union naval captain, was highly honored for his feats of bravery and heroism. He became a Congressman after the war. What do you think would have scared you the most if you had been with Robert Smalls during his daring action? ASSIGNMENT 5: Imagine that you are one of the above people. Write a letter to the local Editor of your home newspaper, and tell them your situation. Tell them how it is affecting you, and advise them what should be done about it. 6 .