Comparing Confederate and Union Soldiers in the Civil War

Grade Range: 6-9
Resource Type(s): Lessons & Activities, Primary Sources
Duration: 90 minutes
Date Posted: 5/3/2010

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.


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