History, Civics & Social Studies · Grade 4

Connections between Illinois and the Nation

Fourth graders explore how Illinois shaped the United States: the 1858 Lincoln–Douglas debates and Lincoln's 'House Divided' speech, Illinois's role in the Civil War, Chicago as the crossroads of the nation's railroads and trade (and the 1894 Pullman Strike that stopped them), and how Illinois is represented in the national government today, including presidents with Illinois ties.

3 lessons
About 90 minutes
Illinois and the nation check: 9 questions
Ways to answer: choose an answer, highlight a text, match pairs, type a number, put in order and sort into groups

See plans Included with Family, Teacher and School plans. Open in PlayOwl

What learners will discover

Explain Illinois's role in the national debate over slavery and in the Civil War.
Explain how Chicago and Illinois connected the nation's transportation and economy, and analyze perspectives on a national event that happened in Illinois.
Describe how Illinois is represented in the national government and identify presidents with Illinois connections.