Civil War Causes Newspaper Project
American Cultures I
Objective: Choose a group of 3-5 members for this project. Each group member will pick 1 key event they feel is
the most important leading up to the Civil War from the list below and write summary & opinion paragraphs as an
article on that event. Use your textbook, a reference book, or an appropriate online source to find information for
your article paragraphs.
Summary – Report on the event in detail to fully explain to the reader what exactly happened as a newspaper article
(who, what, where, why, when, & how).
Opinion – Give your thoughts on why you feel this event was the most important leading directly to the Civil War,
how it could have been avoided, the mistakes that were made, who gained an advantage, who was victimized, etc.
Both paragraphs should be written IN YOUR OWN WORDS and utilize proper grammar, formatting, and
complete sentences. Proper paragraph formatting should include an introduction sentence, at least 5 detail
sentences, and a concluding sentence. Use the internet to find 1 picture for each article and insert it into the
document.
Directions
1. Pick a name for your newspaper. (The Daily Observer, The Freeport Follower, etc.)
2. Choose the topics for your articles:
Missouri Compromise
Wilmot Proviso
Beating of Charles Sumner
Mexican War
U.S. Constitution
Compromise of 1850
Secession
John Brown’s Raids
Election of 1860
Lecompton Constitution
Fugitive Slave Act
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
Dred Scott Decision
Bleeding Kansas
Birth of Republicans
3. Create catchy names for your articles
Entering Information
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Open Microsoft Word on your computer
Click on ‘Office Start’ button and choose ‘New’
Scroll down the template options and choose ‘Newsletters’
Email group members’ articles to main account
Type or copy-paste group members’ paragraphs into the sections provided for articles
Add your pictures, Newspaper name, article names etc.
Proofread Newspaper for any mistakes
Delete any unnecessary ‘fillers” from the template
BONUS: Use EasyBib.com to cite you sources and add a “References” section to your Newspaper
Email finished project as an attachment to stell.freeport@gmail.com with all group members’ last names,
period number, and “Civil War” in subject line. Example: Farrior Parker Woodley Holmes 8 Civil War
11. The best Newspapers for each period will be posted to the class Wikispaces page