Oxford University Press
Crisis at Fort Sumter
The crisis at Fort Sumter and events related to criminology create an intriguing activity for high schoolers. When clicked on, each box goes into a different part of the event. It also includes the aftermath of the battle in American...
Mr. Nussbaum
Battle of Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter, the site of the Civil War's first battle, taught the Union and the Confederacy an important lesson: they would both need to take stronger steps than anticipated if they wanted to win the war. History pupils read about the...
Mr. Nussbaum
Fort Sumter Reading Comprehension
The Battle of Fort Sumter was both the first and the least deadly battle of the American Civil War, with no soldiers lost during the lengthy bombardment. Learn more about the first shots of the Civil War with a short reading passage and...
Alabama Department of Archives and History
Alabama's Secession in 1861: Embraced with Joy and Great Confidence. Why?
From December 20, 1860 to June 8, 1861, eleven states seceded from the Union. Alabama seceded on January 11, 1861. Why did so many white Alabamians want to secede? Why did they believe the South could win the war? These are the essential...
Curated OER
The Civil War Begins
Begin your unit on the Civil War with this informative PowerPoint that includes key elements leading to the war. This slideshow takes us from Abraham Lincoln to Fort Sumter. Each slide contains a corresponding graphic and clear fact.
Curated OER
1850s: Road to Secession
Detailing the political and social events leading up to the Civil War, this presentation provides students with maps, political cartoons, and photographs to put this time period into historical context. The Presidential Elections of...
Curated OER
Lincoln Goes to War
Students examine the secession crisis of 1861 and the significance of the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter. They read and analyze Lincoln's First Inaugural Address, conduct research, and write an executive memorandum.
Curated OER
The Brief American Pageant: Girding for War
Though too short to be an adequate presentation, the solitary map in these slides would be a good visual aid to a lecture about Southern secession before and during the Civil War. The color coded states on the map make a good timeline...
Curated OER
Mystery State #51
For this mystery state worksheet, students answer five clues to identify the state in question. They then locate that state on a map.
Curated OER
Continue the War?
Students have to decide if they would continue the war from the Union's perspective and how would they go about doing it. Students need to read excerpts from the Congressional Globe to decide their argument. Finally, a poster will be...
American Battlefield Trust
American Battlefield Trust: Civil War: Animated Map: Fort Sumter
Animated map tells the story of the events that led up to the first shots of the Civil War fired at Fort Sumter. [7:31]
Curated OER
National Park Service: Cwsac: Civil War Battle Summaries: Lower Seaboard Theater and Gulf
Here you will find a listing of all the engagements in the Lower Seaboard Theater and Gulf Approach campaigns in the Civil War. Hyperlinks take you to descriptions of the individual engagements.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Telegram Announcing the Surrender of Fort Sumter (1861)
Offers an image of the original telegram from Major Anderson announcing his surrender of Fort Sumter. Discusses this event and the historical events surrounding it.
The History Cat
The History Cat: The Civil War
Discover an abundance of facts about the Civil War from topics such as Fort Sumter, the secession crisis, how the war was won, Bull Run, and Civil War soldiers.
OpenStax
Open Stax: The Origins and Outbreak of the Civil War
After reading this section, students will be able to explain the major events that occurred during the Secession Crisis and describe the creation and founding principles of the Confederate States of America.
American Battlefield Trust
American Battlefield Trust: Civil War: Fort Sumter April 12 14, 1861
Extensive information about the Battle of Fort Sumter. Includes maps, battle facts, biographies of the commanders, articles, historical resources, historic images, and even a 3-D photo presentation (which requires special 3-D glasses).
Other
Civil War in South Carolina: Fort Sumter, April 12 14, 1861
This is a description of the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter. Included are a map and General Beauregard's report on the attack.
The Newberry Library
Newberry Library: Home Front: The Visual Culture of the Civil War North
Lesson using primary resources examines the ways in which images shaped the meaning of the war for people at home and the meaning of the home during wartime.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Themepark: Liberty: Civil War
Find a large collection of internet resources organized around the Civil War. Links to places to go, people to see, things to do, teacher resources, and bibliographies.
Civil War Home
Home of the American Civil War: Secession of the Southern States
Scroll through this article to "Secession in the Upper South" to find out what was happening in southern states that had not yet seceded before April, 1861, and what convinced these states to secede. From an article by William L. Barney...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Lincoln Goes to War
A lesson plan that includes six activities focusing on "the decision-making process that precipitated the Civil War". Activities have students reviewing the decision Lincoln made to secure Fort Sumter, the secession crisis of 1861, and...
Civil War Home
Home of the American Civil War: The War Begins
Provides a detailed description of the attack on Fort Sumter during the Civil War from Confederate Military History, Vol. 5, Chapter I, a series published in 1899.
National Constitution Center
National Constitution Center: Abraham Lincoln's Crossroads
Detailed information about Lincoln's life and political career is included in this interactive game. Learn about decisions Lincoln had to make by playing this instructive game.
Other
Crisis at Fort Sumter
Detailed background information is provided to assist users in solving the dilemmas facing President Lincoln in the events surrounding the fall of Fort Sumter.