Was the Southern states' decision to secede from the Union protected by the United States Constitution? Eighth graders discuss the constitutionality of the South's justification for secession, particularly the secession of South Carolina, as well as its protection — or lack thereof — in the Declaration of Independence.

Concepts

the united states civil war, causes of the civil war, abraham lincoln, secession, the declaration of independence, the united states constitution, primary source analysis, primary source images, primary sources

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Use the assessment to check for understanding after the second two lessons, or as an informal exit ticket
• Encourage learners to conduct additional research about particular states' processes of secession
• Pass out the attached rubric and have peers assess themselves or each other on the short-answer questions

Classroom Considerations

• Note the longer Common Core alignment explanation in the attached teacher reference page
• Some materials are in color, and printing in black and white may impede understanding

Pros

• Provides an extension activity in which learners can debate the merits of the Southern secession
• Includes a shorter schedule for the lesson

Cons

• None

Common Core

RH.6-8.1 RH.6-8.2 RH.6-8.4 WHST.6-8.1.a WHST.6-8.1.b