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Scheme of work – Cambridge IGCSE® History (US) 0416
Option A: 19th century, The Development of Modern Nation States, 1848–1914
4: Why was there a civil war in the United States?
Recommended prior knowledge
Background knowledge of nineteenth century America.
Context
This unit provides an insight into the causes and consequences of the American Civil War.
Outline
Reasons for the outbreak of civil war in the United States, why was the North successful and the impact of reconstruction on the South.
Focus points
Suggested teaching activities
Learning resources
How far did slavery cause the Civil War?
Illustrate through a Venn diagram the: conflicting interests between
North and South – economic, social and political. Each aspect should
contain enough detail to allow explanation.
Rees, B. Black Peoples of the
Americas pages 54–55
In a class discussion, consider how each of the following contributed
towards the increasing issue of slavery – Missouri Compromise,
Kansas and Nebraska, Dredd Scott, John Brown.
Field, R African Peoples of the
Americas pages 31–33
Kidd, J. Heinemann History Scheme
into the Twentieth Century pages 24–
30
http://americanhistory.about.com/od/ci
vilwarmenu/a/cause_civil_war.htm
Good overview with useful links.
www.historylearningsite.co.uk/causesamerican-civil-war.htm Useful
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Focus points
Suggested teaching activities
Learning resources
summary of causes.
What was the significance of Lincoln's
election as President?
Following research, students should write an essay which answers the
question – ‘Why was the election of Lincoln as President significant for
the South?’
Rees, B. Black Peoples of the
Americas pages 54–55
Field, R African Peoples of the
Americas pages 34–39
www.civilwarhome.com/lincolnbio.htm
Biography of Abraham Lincoln
http://americancivilwar.com/north/abe_l
incoln.html
Good timeline and document sources.
Why was the North able to win the war?
Students should discuss in groups the reasons for the North’s success
in the Civil War. The success should be considered only in relation to
the main events of the war.
Field, R “African Peoples of the
Americas” pages 40–43
www.activehistory.co.uk/main_area/
Lots of activities and Power Points
(Membership required)
Did the war change anything?
Students should consider the consequences of the Civil War and the
extent to which it brought change in the period up to 1877.
Field, R African Peoples of the
Americas pages.44–51
Rees, B. Black Peoples of the
Americas pages 56–57
De Pennington, J. Modern America:
The USA, 1865 To The Present
pages.4–12
www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/reconstructio
n/section1/section1_intro.html
Deals with the impact of slave
emancipation and Reconstruction.
Using a collection of historical sources students should consider the
different points of view that existed in the USA during the period
1861–77. This can be further developed by considering if the views
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www.mrlincolnandfreedom.org/
Contains lots of links, sources and
blogs on Lincoln and Civil War.
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Focus points
Suggested teaching activities
Learning resources
changed over time.
Students revise the work completed at the end of this section and
complete a past Cambridge IGCSE past paper on this topic
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Cambridge IGCSE History (US) 0416
Past questions papers – can be
accessed by logging onto the
Cambridge Teacher Support website
http://teachers.cie.org.uk
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