Instructional Video

Civil War Trust Animated Map: First Manassas

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

The Battle of First Manassas, commonly known as the First Battle of Bull Run, was the first major battle of the Civil War, signaling a conflict that would last for many years and take many lives in the process. View an animated map that demonstrates the troop movements and military strategies of the Union and Confederate armies—and the decision that earned Thomas J. Jackson his infamous nickname.

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CCSS: Adaptable
Instructional Ideas
  • Use as a warm-up to a class discussion on Bull Run, or show after a deeper lecture on the battle
  • Include in a research project in which learners analyze the strategies of one military officer or campaign
Classroom Considerations
  • Map is straightforward and informative, but is not as high-quality as other videos in the series
  • Learners should have prior knowledge of the Civil War to this point; the video provides a brief overview of the conflict but only for the sake of context
  • Comment section is open to the public
  • This video is hosted on YouTube
Pros
  • A helpful resource for understanding the Battle of Bull Run
  • Short length makes the video versatile for classroom use or homework
Cons
  • Without the reenactments of the previous videos, the resource may be dull for learners who are not interested in military tactics of the Civil War