Causes of the Civil War

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Objective

I can identify the main causes of the Civil War.

Part 1 of 4

Warm-up video

TED-Ed · 4:43Vetted channel

We don't generate video — this one is by TED-Ed on YouTube. The practice questions and exit ticket below were drafted by AI for this objective, and every question is editable in the teacher guide.

Part 2 of 4

Key concepts

3 concepts

  1. 1

    Between 1860 and 1861, 11 Southern states seceded from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America in response to the growing movement to abolish slavery.

  2. 2

    The Cornerstone of the new Confederate government was white supremacy, and the Confederate Vice President, Alexander Stephens, declared that slavery and subordination to whites was the 'natural and normal condition' for Black people.

  3. 3

    The organization, United Daughters of the Confederacy, played a key role in passing Lost Cause ideas to future generations by monitoring textbooks to minimize the horrors of slavery and erecting Confederate monuments.

Part 3 of 4

Practice

3 questions

1

According to the video, what did Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens declare was the 'cornerstone' of the new Confederate government?

2

Explain how the 'Lost Cause' narrative attempted to reframe the reasons behind the Civil War.

Part 4 of 4

Exit ticket

Quick comprehension check

What were the main reasons that Confederate leaders gave for seceding from the United States?

Sample answer included in the free materials

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