Lesson
Views of Slavery Leading Up to the Civil War
Guiding question
How did slavery divide the nation?
What were the range of views on slavery in the United States leading up to the Civil War?
Founding Principles
Objectives
- Students will…
- Understand the range of views on slavery in the United States leading up to the Civil War.
- Analyze primary source quotes to identify perspectives supporting abolition or slavery.
- Represent historical perspectives on a spectrum to visualize the complexity of opinions.
Materials
Student Resources:
Teacher Resources:
- Large paper for spectrums: Chart paper, butcher paper, or bulletin board paper
- Glue
- Scissors
- Sticky notes
Lesson Components
ActivityViews of Slavery and Abolition Middle School Primary Source Set
Analyze primary source quotes to identify perspectives supporting abolition or slavery.
EssayViews of Slavery Leading Up to the Civil War Middle School Essay
How did slavery divide the nation?
Lesson plan
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More Information
Facilitation Notes
- This lesson encourages students to think beyond binary perspectives and consider nuanced views, which is a challenging skill for this age group.
- It is important to acknowledge that slavery is morally wrong and fundamentally violates natural rights. Some of the perspectives presented in this lesson are historically accurate but deeply problematic. They are included not to legitimize or justify these views, but to understand the full scope of beliefs that shaped the nation’s history. This historical examination allows students to critically engage with the past and recognize the importance of natural rights and equality.