Read Works
Read Works: Slavery, the Civil War, and Reconstruction Slavery in the Territories
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the Congressional disagreements about slavery in the territories before the Civil War. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Civil War Home
Home of the American Civil War: Election of 1864
The re-election of Abraham Lincoln in 1864 was not a done deal. Read about the peace explorations, the Republican and Democratic conventions, the campaigns, and eventual "landslide" for Lincoln. From "The Civil War and Reconstruction" by...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Secession and Civil War
Part of a unit on the Civil War and Reconstruction, this section provides an overview of the formation of the Confederacy and subsequent secession of states in the South.
Read Works
Read Works: Slavery, the Civil War & Reconstruction Fort Sumter: First Shots
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about Fort Sumter and the beginning of the Civil War. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
CommonLit
Common Lit: Text Sets: The Civil War
This is a collection of 29 Grade-Leveled texts (6-12)on the topic The Civil War. The American Civil War lasted for only 5 years but divided the country along bitter lines as the North fought to keep southern states from seceding from the...
US National Archives
Docsteach: What Else Was Happening During the Civil War Era?
The years leading up to, during, and following the Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1877) are most often remembered for the tension between North and South, the question of slavery, President Lincoln, and social and political changes...
Bullock Texas State History Museum
Bullock Museum: Chapter Eight: Civil War to Centennial [Pdf]
A teacher guide designed to support a visit to the Bullock Museum, but can be used on its own using available resources. Includes information, discussion questions, activities, and worksheets. This module looks at Texas from the time of...
Alabama Humanities Foundation
Encyclopedia of Alabama: Alabama and the Civil War
Encyclopedia entries of the significant people, places, and events that occurred in Alabama during the Civil War and the period immediately following, including the Battle of Mobile Bay and Confederate naval operations in the state.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln
This collection uses primary sources to compare and explore the relationships between Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.
Read Works
Read Works: Slavery, Civil War & Reconstruction Election of 1860 and Lincoln
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Library of Congress
Loc: African American Odyssey: Reconstruction and Its Aftermath
Part of a virtual exhibit by the Library of Congress, this site details the effects of the Civil War and Reconstruction on the newly freed slaves. It contains photographs of artwork and a map from the period.
Other
Texas Historical Commission: Texas in the Civil War [Pdf]
A comprehensive 36-page history of the Civil War in Texas. Includes numerous images, maps, primary documents, profiles of leading figures, a timeline, and information about battles. Specific topics are addressed, such as the cotton...
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: Impact of Dred Scott: The Road to Civil War
After the Dred Scott decision by the US Supreme Court, the friction between the North and South over slavery escalated, and the North began to fear that they might not be able to prevent slavery from spreading into their states. The Dred...
Civil War Home
Home of the American Civil War: Black Codes in the Former Confederate States
Read about the black codes in various states enacted as a result of Johnson's lenient Reconstruction plans. From "Trial by Fire, A People's History of the Civil War and Reconstruction" by Paige Smith.
Other
Kid Info: History of the Civil War and the Reconstruction Era
Looking to become an expert on the Civil War and the Reconstruction Era? If so, then this is the perfect site for you! It is packed with links to learn about the battles of the Civil War, artillery used, Generals of the Civil War, and...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: The Effects of the Civil War
Students will work in groups to research the causes of the Civil War, events during the war, and Reconstruction. They will compile their information into a multimedia presentation. They will use research to answer the essential question,...
Civil War Home
Home of the American Civil War: The Kansas Nebraska Act
Provides information on the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the consequences of its passing. From "The Civil War and Reconstruction" by Randall and McDonald.
CommonLit
Common Lit: Reconstruction
CommonLit.org is a wonderful resource to use in a Language Arts classroom. Each text is accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. In addition, students can click on words to see the...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Secession of the Southern States
This collection uses primary sources to explore the secession of southern states from the United States prior to the Civil War.
Library of Congress
Loc: The Learning Page: The North During the Civil War
This is a brief summary of how the Civil War affected the Northern states. It has just a small mention of the North's industrial nature, but you can link to first-person accounts of what it was like to live in the North during Southern...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source: Underground Railroad Fugitive Slave Act 1850
This collection uses primary sources to explore the Underground Railroad and the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850.
Other
Radford University: The Civil War for Fifth Graders
Covers many aspects of the Civil War, without too much text for Grade 5 students. Includes links to additional information and a few learning activities. (Note: Some links may no longer be working.)
Columbia University
Columbia University: Columbia University & Slavery Post 1865: Faculty and Admin
After the Civil War concluded in 1865 and the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery, Columbia University's faculty members shaped historical interpretations of slavery, the Civil War, and Reconstruction, as well as scientific theories...
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Reconstruction State by State
Select any US state to learn about how the Civil War affected the agriculture and economy of that state.