Fundamental Causes of the Civil War

Documents and Scaffolding Questions

Slavery Divides the Nation
Historical Context:  During the nineteenth century, the United States extended across the continent fulfilling its manifest destiny.  However, the issue of slavery in the territories would ultimately tear the nation apart.  As each territory became organized, the question of whether it would enter the union as a slave or free state threatened the delicate balance of power in the Union.

Task:  Using information from these documents and your knowledge of social studies answer the questions that follow each document. 

 

Directions:  

Step 1 - Read and answer the questions for documents 1-6.  Your answers should be in complete sentences on your answer sheet.  Click on the button below to go to the first document.  

Step 2 - After you have finished the last document, you will use the information from the document and your knowledge of social studies to organize information on your graphic organizer that explains the following               

  • actions taken by abolitionists that eventually led to the Civil War
  • actions taken by pro-slavery forces that eventually led to the Civil War

  Document 1