Directions: The decade before the American Civil War saw many
events that led to tension between the North and South. Some were seen
in a positive way for many in the Northern states, while others were
regarded that way in the South.
Below are 10 of the most impactful events that took place in the United
States during this time. Research about each and place them onto the
interactive illustrated timeline in your notebook.
1. First, find out exactly when each event took place.
2. Next, decide whether it was overall a positive for the North or
the South. If it was good for the North, write the event on the
top half the timeline. If Southerners would be pleased, write
the name of the event below the line.
3. Draw a picture to represent the event.
Dred Scott Decision
The Fugitive Slave Act
Abraham Lincoln Elected
Kansas Nebraska Act
Uncle Tom’s Cabin published
Abraham Lincoln debates Stephen
Douglas
South Carolina secedes
John Brown attacks Harpers Ferry
The Confederacy is formed
Harriet Tubman escapes to Philadelphia
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1849 1850
1851
Pleased Northerners
1852
1853
1854
1855
1856
1857
1858
1860
1861
Pleased Southerners
1859
Name ________________________________
Directions: After creating your annotated timeline, answer the following questions.
1. Which event do you think caused the most tension and why?
2. Brainstorm a solution or compromise to the event you chose for #1 that would have made it more
palatable to both sides. Explain your solution below.
3. What effect did the publication of Uncle Tom’s Cabin have on the United States?
4. Which event do you think most directly led to Southern states seceding and why?
5. Do you think Lincoln could have done anything to prevent South Carolina from seceding? Explain what if
anything, he could have done or why there was no option for him.
6. Based on these events, do you think a Civil War could have been avoided? Explain why/why not.
Key / Student Example
Name __Answer Key______
Directions: After creating your annotated timeline, answer the following questions.
1. Which event do you think caused the most tension and why?
Open to various answers provided students support their answer with facts from history.
2. Brainstorm a solution or compromise to the event you chose for #1 that would have made it more
palatable to both sides. Explain your solution below.
Open to many possible student answers and opinions.
3. What effect did the publication of Uncle Tom’s Cabin have on the United States?
Uncle Tom’s Cabin inspired many abolitionists who had no real experience with slavery or had ever
heard an account of what it was like. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s book gave personal faces to slaves
that humanized them in a way that many news reports couldn’t. That made many more abolitionists
in the North and angered the South.
4. Which event do you think most directly led to Southern states seceding and why?
Open to many possible student answers and opinions.
5. Do you think Lincoln could have done anything to prevent South Carolina from seceding? Explain what if
anything, he could have done or why there was no option for him.
Since South Carolina seceded as soon as Lincoln was elected there was very little he could do to stop
it. By the time he actually took office, the state was already gone. Students may theorize other
examples of him making public statements prior to the election, however.
6. Based on these events, do you think a Civil War could have been avoided? Explain why/why not.
Open to many possible student answers and opinions as long as they are supported with facts from
history and are well thought out.
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Here are some additional resources for teaching about the Civil War and Reconstruction that fit in perfectly with
this timeline activity. Click on each for more info. Thanks so much for your purchase!!!!