THE CIVIL WAR – 1861-1865
March 29-April 16, 2010
INTRODUCTION:
The Civil War was one of the most significant events in American history. The conflicts over states’
rights and slavery led the South to split away from the North and form the Confederate States of America. The
battles that ensued left almost 700,000 Americans dead or wounded and the South in ruins. Under the
leadership of Abraham Lincoln, the Union was preserved. As a result of the war, several new amendments
were added to the Constitution that provided more equality for African Americans.
UNIT GOALS:
 Students will be able to identify the causes and significant events of the Civil War.
 Students will read and interpret primary documents to learn about the typical experience of a soldier during
the Civil War.
 Students will use technology to research the most significant battles of the Civil War.
 Students will become aware of the key people in the Civil War and understand their involvement and
significance.
 Students will make connections between the Reconstruction effort and the outcomes of the war.
UNIT ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Actively participate during every class. Your grade will reflect your participation and behavior.
2. Read the following pages and answer the questions listed. Answers must be typed and handed in at the
start of class on the dates listed.
 Chapter 15, section 1.Read and answer the following questions. Due April 1-all classes
 What were three advantages held by the South?
 What were three advantages held by the North?
 How did the First Battle of Bull Run shatter the belief that the Civil War would be a quick Union
victory?
 Describe three hardships faced by soldiers at this time.
 Chapter 15, section 3. Read and answer questions 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b. Due April 6 (SS 1, 3) or April 7 (SS 4,
5).
3. Create a timeline of significant events during the time of the Civil War. Use your textbook and class
discussions and activities to complete this assignment. Details of the assignment and a scoring rubric are on
the back of this sheet. Your timeline is due at the start of class on April 15 (SS 1, 3) or April 16 (SS 4,
5).
4. Be ready for a unit test on April 15 (SS 1, 3), April 16 (SS 2, 4, 5).
NAME __________________________________
DATE ___________________ SS ____________
CIVIL WAR TIMELINE
Instructions:
o The timeline must include an appropriate title, your name, and your social studies class number.
o ALL events must have taken place between January, 1860 and December 1865.
o Timeline must be to scale: years and months must be correctly spaced.
o The following events must be included:
Military events
Shots fired on Ft. Sumter
Battle of Gettysburg
Battle of Vicksburg
Lee surrenders to Grant
Political/social events
Gettysburg Address
Emancipation Proclamation
o The timeline must contain a total of 12 items (including the ones listed above)
o
o
there should be a minimum of 4 political/social events.
You should indicate which events are political/social events and which are military events.
SCORING RUBRIC
EXCELLENT
The timeline contains evenly
spaced years and months and
accurately placed events.
15 points
The timeline contains all of the
required items.
15 points
The timeline contains 12
significant items (at least 4 of
which are political/social events).
25 points
All items are clearly identified and
their importance in the Civil War
clearly explained.
25 points
The events are accurately and
clearly labeled: military and
political/social
10 points
The timeline reflects pride and
concern (e.g, proper spelling,
capitalization, neatness)
10 points
ACCEPTABLE
The timeline contains evenly
spaced years and most of the
events are accurately placed.
10 points
The timeline contains most of the
required items.
10 points
The timeline contains at least 8
significant items.
UNACCEPTABLE
The timeline does not contain
evenly spaced years and months or
accurately placed events.
6 points
The timeline contains some of the
required items.
6 points
The timeline contains fewer than 8
significant items.
20 points
Most items are identified and their
importance in the Civil War is
explained.
20 points
The events are accurately labeled:
military and political/social
15 points
Items are not clearly identified and
no connection is made to their
importance in the Civil War.
15 points
The events are not labeled:
military and political/social
5 points
2 points
The timeline reflects some concern The timeline does not reflect
(e.g, mostly proper spelling,
concern and pride.
capitalization, neatness)
8 points
6 points
TOTAL ____________
GRADE ____________