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History, Civics & Social Studies · Grade 8

Expansion, Slavery, Resistance and Civil War

Learners trace how each new territory reopened the question of slavery, from the Missouri Compromise to Dred Scott, study the resistance of enslaved people and abolitionists, read the seceding states' own explanations, and follow the Civil War's turning points, including emancipation and the service of Black soldiers.

  • 4 lessons
  • About 120 minutes
  • Road to war and emancipation check: 9 questions
  • Ways to answer: fill in the blanks, choose an answer, estimate, highlight a text, match pairs and type a number
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What learners will discover

  • Explain how westward expansion and the laws and court decisions of 1820–1857 intensified conflict over slavery.
  • Describe how enslaved people, free Black Americans and abolitionists resisted slavery, using a primary source.
  • Use secession documents and other evidence to explain why slavery was the central cause of the Civil War, including how 'states' rights' arguments related to it.
  • Sequence and explain the war's turning points, including emancipation and the role of Black soldiers.

Lessons

  1. Every new territory reopened the question 6 steps4 practiceabout 30 min
  2. Resistance and abolition 5 steps3 practiceabout 28 min
  3. In their own words: why secession? 6 steps3 practiceabout 30 min
  4. War and emancipation 6 steps4 practiceabout 32 min
  5. Road to war and emancipation check 9 questions at the end

Keep exploring

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Guide for grown-ups