The Civil War

It was one of the most distressing times in our nation's history. U.S. soldiers fighting U.S. soldiers, sometimes brothers fighting brothers. And for what? Many economic, political and social issues divided the Northern and Southern states, including the election of President Lincoln, but one of the biggest issues was slavery. In May 1865, after four years of battles that resulted in a loss of more than 620,000 lives, the North won the War, thus preserving the Union and abolishing slavery. To find out more about the Civil War, use the direct links on The Times' Launch Point Web site: http://www.latimes.com/launchpoint/.

Level 1

The History Place: The U.S. Civil War: Feb. 9, 1861, saw the birth of the Confederate States of America with Jefferson Davis serving as president; the Civil War would begin two months later with ultimately eleven states choosing to withdraw, or secede, from the United States. Trace the events of the Civil War through this illustrated timeline.

http://www.historyplace.com/civilwar/

The Civil War 1861-1865: The Underground Railroad started operating thirty years before the Civil War and consisted of a network of people who helped slaves travel to Canada and gain their freedom. Learn about abolitionists Sojourner Truth and Laura Smith Haviland.

http://www.sos.state.mi.us/history/museum/ explore/museums/hismus/prehist/civilwar/introciv.html

Make a Civil War Drum: Though 9-year-old drummer Johnny Clem was the youngest soldier to serve in the Civil War, there were many other boys who played drums, bugles or fifes to wake up soldiers and tell them when to assemble and how fast to march. Learn how to make your own drum.

http://www.sos.state.mi.us/history/museum/kidstuff/civilwar/drummaki.html

Level 2

Timeline of the Civil War, 1861-1865: The Civil War began with the attack on Fort Sumter and continued with important battles at Bull Run, Gettysburg, Atlanta and Richmond. Read how the Union army, led by Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, finally defeated the Confederate army.

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/tl1861.html

U.S. Civil War: Secession! When the Southern states decided to form their own government, did they defy Article 1, Section 10, Clause 1, of the U.S. Constitution, which states that: "no state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation"? Hear both sides of this question as junior high students take on the roles of Unionists and Secessionists.