The Civil War was the most deadly war, with at least 600,000 Americans loosing their life to support their morals. To help us understand just how great a cause we were fighting for, we are going to enter a Civil War graveyard and become one of the deceased.
Task:
Your task is to wear the boots of an American citizen between 1861 and 1865. Today they are found in cemeteries, books, films, and on the World Wide Web. You will choose a role from the list below and visit related Web sites to learn details of their lives. You will become that person for a Living History Day.
African American Slave
African American freeman
Army Chaplain
Army Doctor
Army Nurse
Confederate Naval Officer
Confederate Infantry Soldier
Confederate General
Confederate Blockade Runner
Prisioner of War
Union General
Union Infantry Soldier
Union Naval Officer
War correspondent/photographer
Woman on the homefront
Neutral/Undeceided American
Union Supporter (not in war)
Confederate Supporter (not in war)
1. Consider the roles listed above. Find one that interests you.
2. Visit the Web resources listed below. Look for information on your character. Research and take notes on that role.
3. Focus on the following questions as you research: Use your imagination to fill in details
a. What is your name? Your family background?
b. What city and state are you from? Are you for the North or South?
c. What work are you doing in the Civil War? What tools do you use?
d. Why do you think this work is important?
e. What beliefs support your side of the war?
Look for details that show the time peroid you are living in.
Find photographs that illustrate the clothing, weapons, and housing of the times. (5pt)
4. Prepare an introduction of yourself in the role you have researched. Use a-e above. (8 pts)
5. Prepare a speech to deliver to a group of undeceided people. You will want to pursuade them to join your side of the battle. You will do this by giving the benifits of your views, and the cons of the other side. Use the information you found (a-e above). (12 pts)
Your introduction and speech should be about a page and a half. You may neatly write it or type it. But remember, you will be graded on spelling and grammar.
