The road to the Civil War: compromises that failed and the election of 1860

Grade 8 Social Studies Worksheet - Challenge Me

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   Use this

   Card A (December 24, 1860): "South Carolina's declaration of causes". Who made it: South Carolina's secession convention. For whom: the people of South Carolina and the other states. Why: to give its reasons for leaving the Union. Excerpt (as printed in Charleston, 1860, and in the convention's journal, 1861): "...an increasing hostility on the part of the non-slaveholding States to the Institution of Slavery, has led to a disregard of their obligations..." What it changed for people: It explained the secession that its convention had voted 169 to 0. How far can I trust it? For: The convention gives its own reasons, in its own words. Against: It was written to persuade, and it speaks for the convention, not for the enslaved people of South Carolina. Card B (January 1861): "Mississippi's declaration of causes". Who made it: Mississippi's secession convention. For whom: the people of Mississippi and the other states. Why: to give its reasons for leaving the Union. Excerpt (as printed in Jackson, 1861, in the convention's address and its journal): "Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery -- the greatest material interest of the world." What it changed for people: It explained Mississippi's secession, one of six in January 1861. How far can I trust it? For: The convention gives its own reasons, in its own words. Against: It was written to persuade, and it speaks for the convention, not for the enslaved people of Mississippi. Card C (March 4, 1861): "Lincoln's First Inaugural Address". Who made it: Abraham Lincoln, the new president. For whom: the whole nation. Why: to speak to a divided nation as he took office. Excerpt (as printed in 1861 and in 1896): "One section of our country believes slavery is right, and ought to be extended, while the other believes it is wrong, and ought not to be extended." What it changed for people: It named the dispute, but the seceded states did not return. How far can I trust it? For: Lincoln names the dispute himself, as president. Against: It is one leader's view, given while he tried to hold the Union together. Below the strip: Historians name slavery as the central cause of the Civil War; the declarations of 1860 and 1861 name it themselves.

3. 1.

   In card B's line, what does Mississippi say its position is identified with, Ari asks?

   • The institution of slavery
   • Trade with Mexico
   • A new president
   • The rights of the free states in the North
4. 2.

   By card C, what did the first section Lincoln names believe, Esme asks?

   Use the picture in question 1.

   • That Congress must hold a new vote on it each year
   • That it is wrong and ought not spread
   • That it is right and ought to be extended
   • That it should end at once everywhere
5. 3.

   Which evidence best supports 'slavery was the central cause', Jun asks?

   Use the picture in question 1.

   • The war began in April 1861
   • Fort Sumter was in South Carolina
   • Both declarations name slavery as their reason
   • Lincoln won about 40 percent of the vote
6. 4.

   Why does each declaration's trust line say 'written to persuade', Kira asks?

   Use the picture in question 1.

   • Each argues for the convention's choice
   • Each was written in 1900
   • Each was written by Lincoln
   • Each is a law passed by Congress in Washington
7. 5.

   Whose voices are missing from cards A and B, Luz asks?

   Use the picture in question 1.

   • The enslaved people of those states
   • The members of the conventions that wrote them
   • The leaders of South Carolina
   • Mississippi's convention members
8. 6.

   A note says, 'The declarations never mention slavery.' What fix does Milo make?

   Use the picture in question 1.

   • Change declarations to speeches
   • Say that Lincoln's speech is the one that mentions it
   • Keep it; the note is right
   • Both name slavery in their own words
9. 7.

   A note says, 'Mississippi seceded before South Carolina.' What fix does Noah make?

   Use the picture in question 1.

   • South Carolina seceded first, in December 1860
   • Keep it; the note is right
   • Say that both states seceded together back in 1854
   • Change Mississippi to Kansas
10. 8.

    Which claim about card C is careful, Pia asks?

    Use the picture in question 1.

    • Lincoln said slavery must end at once everywhere
    • Lincoln left slavery out of the speech
    • Lincoln's speech ended the crisis
    • Lincoln named slavery's spread as the dispute
11. 9.

    Could Lincoln's election alone explain secession, Ren asks?

    Use the picture in question 1.

    • Yes; nothing came before 1860
    • Yes; the declarations ignore slavery
    • No; decades of quarrels over slavery came first
    • No; secession came in 1820
12. 10.

    Which claim uses all three cards carefully, Zee asks?

    Use the picture in question 1.

    • The cards show that each Southerner agreed
    • The cards were written after 1877
    • The cards show the war was about tariffs
    • Leaders on both sides named slavery as the dispute