U.S. History AP Civil War Project
Due Date: _________________
You are to create a Civil War Magazine that includes the information
outlined below. The magazine should be an overview of the highlights of
the war. All information must be typed.
1. A unique cover designed with an appropriate picture, date, and place
which are historically accurate.
2. Include a table of contents. Number your pages and include page
numbers in the table of contents.
3. A biographical sketch of a military or political leader from the war.
The sketch should be written in the form of an obituary. AP quality
writing is expected.
 DO NOT USE THE ENCYCLOPEDIA AS A REFERENCE. AP
REQUIRES MORE SOPHISTICATED SOURCES. USE ARTICLES
OR BOOKS WRITTEN ABOUT YOUR PERSON. Cite your source on
a separate sheet of paper in the form of a bibliography entry. Place it
at the end of the magazine.
4. A cartoon with an accompanying editorial about the same wartime
event. You should give background information on your topic as well as
your opinion of the event since you are writing an editorial. The
cartoon should follow the article. It should be an original cartoon.
5. A map with an accompanying account of a battle besides the Battle of
Gettysburg.
6. A chart that shows the strengths and weaknesses of BOTH the North
and the South during the war based on population, industry, battle
strategy, railroads and transportation, supplies, communication, troops
and wealth. Use the proper format for a chart. Then use this
information to create a recruiting poster for either the North or the
South. Use a separate sheet of paper for the poster and chart.
7. Prepare a “You Are There” article about the dedication of the
National Cemetery at Gettysburg on November 19, 1863. Describe
the countryside, crowds, speakers, speeches, and the reasons for the
occasion.
8. Interview one of the following in order to get their perspective on the
war: a prominent female abolitionist, Harriet Tubman regarding her
activities on the Underground Railroad, Harriet Beecher Stowe, or
Dred Scott. The interview should be in the form of a feature on the
person interspersed with appropriate questions and quotes. NOT IN
THE FORM OF Q & A.
9. Write 20 original headlines that might have appeared in the
newspapers which chronicle the major events in the war.
10. Include a copy or a poem or song about the war. Discuss the topic and
how it relates to the war.
11. View a movie about the Civil War as a document or the era. The
movie’s theme should be mainly about the Civil War and not serve as a
small background piece to the movie. Evaluate the movie for its
accurate depiction of the war, its events, scenery, costumes,
characterizations, setting, etc. just as a movie critic would do.
Acceptable movies include: Andersonville, Glory, Gettysburg, Gone
With the Wind, North and South, The Red Badge of Courage,
Shenandoah, Gods and Generals, The Hunley, or The Blue and Gray
12. Include any other interesting articles, pictures, maps, etc that you
discover in your research.
Suggestions: Your goal is to develop a visually appealing and historically
accurate magazine that reflects different aspects of the war. All of your
writing should be for an audience which has no prior knowledge of the Civil
War except for the information provided in the magazine. DO NOT work
with others on this project or share information.