Smithsonian's History Explorer Resources Related To "Final Farewells: Signing a Yearbook on the Eve of the Civil War"

The Civil War

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:22:31 GMT

From 1861-1865, Americans battled over preserving their Union and ending slavery. The Civil War is the focus of this section of The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, an online exhibition. This pivotal and complicated period of American history is divided into sections that allow students to focus either on a specific aspect of the war, or the conflict as a whole. The sections included are: John Brown, Fort Sumter, the Battle of Bull Run, major turning points, the war at sea, Wilderness to Appomattox, political leaders, military leaders, soldiers in blue and gray; battles and casualties and Reconstruction and the legacies of the war. A non-flash version of this site is available: The Civil War.

Comparing Confederate and Union Soldiers in the Civil War

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 07:47:27 GMT

Use primary sources as the inspiration for comparing and contrasting the soldiers on either side of the Civil War. After examining uniforms and viewing two short video clips, students will develop questions and perform short research projects to uncover the motivations behind the Civil War and the conditions for the soldiers who fought. This lesson plan (which includes background information and full-color primary sources) was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

West Point Graduates During the Civil War and Reconstruction

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:04:44 GMT

The Civil War forced West Point graduates to make difficult choices regarding family and friends, and regional and national loyalties. Whether they fought for the North or the South, West Pointers played major roles during the era of Civil War and Reconstruction. Students will learn about the roles that these men played during this pivotal and divisive period. West Point Graduates During the Civil War and Reconstruction is part of the online exhibition West Point in the Making of America.