Civil War Project

THE CIVIL WAR REVISITED

Scenario:

Your classroom has been selected for a space mission that lasts for 2 months. Upon your return to the United States, however, you find a very different country from the one you left. You trace the roots of the change back to 1865 and determine that history has been altered, and that the South has emerged victorious in the Civil War. Your observations will be important for use by future generations. Compose an essay or presentation detailing what the United States has become.

Task:

Predict what the United States might be like today had the outcome of the American Civil War been different.

The answers to the questions below will assist you with your assignment.

What issues led up to the Civil War?
What were some of the major events that took place during the war?
What was the outcome of the war?
What significant Constitutional changes were made?
How did the economy change after the war?
How did the government change after the war?
How were the peoples' rights affected? (samples: 1, 2)

Resources:

Use the following resources to complete your mission.

The Civil War
Comprehensive Civil War site.

The Civil War Home Page
This site contains one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of Civil War related material available on the Internet.

Causes of the Civil War
This site provides a background for the causes of the Civil War.

Time Line of The Civil War

This site contains a timeline of the Civil War.

The History Place
http://www.historyplace.com/civilwar/index.html

This site contains a timeline of the U.S. Civil War with photographs.

The Valley of the Shadow

This site compares two communities (one from the North and one from the South) and how they are affected by the war.

The Civil War and Reconstruction

This site discusses the ten year period after the Civil War.

Radical Reconstruction

This site covers the reconstruction period.

Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction

This site contains Abraham Lincoln’s Proclamation.

Life After the 13th Amendment

This site contains a discussion of the Reconstruction Era.

Gettysburg - A Virtual Tour

Visit this site for a pictorial view of the Civil War.

Product:

Working in groups, compose a WebEssay or a PowerPoint presentation describing what the United States might be like today had the outcome of the American Civil War been different. Incorporate economic, governmental and civil rights issues that would be affected.

The following should be included in your presentations.

1. Title Page

2. Intro

3. Economic

4. Government

5. Civil Rights

6. Conclusion

7. Resources

Include images, audio and video files at your discretion.

Each student in the group will choose one area (economic, governmental or civil rights). All will work together to compile the project and include resources.

Students will present their projects in class.

Sample Projects:

Click on the links below to view sample projects created by 8th grade students of Ss. Peter & Paul School.

Powerpoint samples

Sample 1
Sample 2
Sample 3
Sample 4
Sample 5

Assessment Rubric:

Students will complete a peer group project evaluation.

4 3 2 1

Content Information is completely accurate, comprehensive, and carefully selected to meet the needs of the presentation. Information is mostly accurate and comprehensive and contains few extraneous details. Information is somewhat accurate and comprehensive. Contains extraneous detail. Little or no accurate information is provided.

Organization All materials and information are well organized; clearly and logically presented. Most materials and information demonstrate organization, clarity, and logic. Some materials and information demonstrate organization or clarity or logic. Materials poorly organized with little or no attention to clarity or logic.

Conventions
(Spelling, Grammar,
Punctuation) Grammar, spelling and word usage are correct and contribute to clarity and style. Minimal errors in grammar, spelling and word usage. Frequent repetitive errors. Major errors that interfere with communication.

Appearance Colors, backgrounds and text are clear and relevant. Layout is easy to follow. Colors, backgrounds and text are easy to read, but could have been used more effectively. Colors, backgrounds and text are not easy to read. Layout is inconsistent. Colors, backgrounds and text prohibit readability. Layout is cluttered and confusing.

Graphics Graphics are relevant and contribute to the meaning of the text. Graphics are relevant but have been used excessively. Graphics are confusing and inconsistent. Graphics are totally irrelevant.

	4	3	2	1
Content	Information is completely accurate, comprehensive, and carefully selected to meet the needs of the presentation.	Information is mostly accurate and comprehensive and contains few extraneous details.	Information is somewhat accurate and comprehensive. Contains extraneous detail.	Little or no accurate information is provided.
Organization	All materials and information are well organized; clearly and logically presented.	Most materials and information demonstrate organization, clarity, and logic.	Some materials and information demonstrate organization or clarity or logic.	Materials poorly organized with little or no attention to clarity or logic.
Conventions (Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation)	Grammar, spelling and word usage are correct and contribute to clarity and style.	Minimal errors in grammar, spelling and word usage.	Frequent repetitive errors.	Major errors that interfere with communication.
Appearance	Colors, backgrounds and text are clear and relevant. Layout is easy to follow.	Colors, backgrounds and text are easy to read, but could have been used more effectively.	Colors, backgrounds and text are not easy to read. Layout is inconsistent.	Colors, backgrounds and text prohibit readability. Layout is cluttered and confusing.
Graphics	Graphics are relevant and contribute to the meaning of the text.	Graphics are relevant but have been used excessively.	Graphics are confusing and inconsistent.	Graphics are totally irrelevant.