The Coming of the Civil War in Virginia

References:

Books & Media:

Berson, Charles. Virginia. New York: Harcourt. 2002.
Basic text for fourth grade for basis of instruction. Any other basal would also be applicable.

Foner, Eric . “Slavery, the Civil War, and Reconstruction” in The New American History. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1997.
Chapter offers a good overview and shares multiple perspectives on the subject.

Gevinson, Alan, Kelly Schrum and Roy Rosenzweig. History Matters: A Student guide to US History Online. Boston: St. Martins, 2005.
Useful to consult, as well as the History Matters website, for descriptions of vetted websites on the period.

Websites:

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/aa/activists/tubman/rail_1
Wonderful easy-to read narrative of Tubman and Underground Railroad with broadside and drawings.

http://chumby.dlib.vt.edu/melissa/posters/vastudiesposter.html
Use for posters of abolition movement and Nat Turner.

http://www.germantown.k12.il.us/html/CivilWar.html
This site includes information on the abolitionist movement, sectionalism, and major events of the war.

http://historymatters.gmu.edu
Used to locate relevant web sites on causes of the Civil War. Also has numerous primary sources and ideas. Digital Blackboard links helpful.

http://jefferson.village.virginia.edu/vcdh/vahistory/reconfiguring/index.html
Used for Virginia secessionist debates of 1860-61 and creation of West Virginia. Links to newspapers, maps, images.

http://library.cornell.edu/mayantislavery
Used for 1832 slavery debate in the Virginia General Assembly and other primary sources for and against slavery.

http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112391/nat_turner.htm
Used for a Nat Turner exploration, this is an interesting site of winning student-created sites.

http://loc.gov/rr/print/list/picamer/pabrown.html
Used for John Brown pictures and song.

http://pbs.org/wgbh/aia/search.html
Used for students matching the three abolitionists.

http://pbs.org/wgbh/amex/brown
Used for more John Brown narratives and maps. Also covers Nat Turner and Harriet Tubman.

http://www.vahistorical.org/sva2003.html
This incredible site details the story of Virginia in simple terms. The “Becoming Southerners” area offers great background. The “Becoming Confederates” area begins with an east-to-understand explanation of the Compromise of 1850 through Dread Scott and also has a brief overview of John Brown. The discussion of the 1860 election could be a postscript to this unit.

http://www.vahistory.org/reconfiguring/convention.html
Used for talking points and map of vote on West Virginia secession. Part of a video series.

http://www.valley.vcdh.virginia.edu.html
Valley of the Shadow website used for Thompson and Brammer letters and Harper’s Ferry picture.