Antebellum America: What Would You Do?
(Decision-Making and Critical Thinking Curricula)
Students tackle fascinating historical questions that put them in the shoes of a range of people from the past, from the rich and famous to ordinary citizens. Each lesson can be done either as an in-depth activity requiring up to two full class periods, or as a “quick motivator” requiring only 20–30 minutes. Detailed teacher pages give step-by-step instructions, list key vocabulary terms, offer troubleshooting tips, present ideas for post-activity discussions, and furnish lists of related sources. Reproducible student handouts clearly lay out the decision-making scenarios, provide "outcomes," and present related primary source readings and/or images with analysis questions. Decision-Making Book available for purchase on Social Studies School Service. Critical Thinking book forthcoming on Social Studies School Service. Free samples available below!
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Free Lessons
Lesson List: Decision Making in History: Jackson / Causes of the Civil War
LESSON 1 – Election 1828: Who will you support in the 1828 Election?
LESSON 2 – Reforms in the 1830s: Which antebellum reforms will you support?
LESSON 3 – Election 1840: Who will you support in the 1840 Election?
LESSON 4 – Poverty and Workers: Will you support reforms for poverty and workers?
LESSON 5 – Abolition: What strategies will you take as an abolitionist?
LESSON 6 – Mexican War: What position will you take with Mexico? Will you declare war or negotiate with the British over Oregon?
LESSON 7 – Compromise of 1850: What position will you take with regard to slavery in the new territories? SAMPLE LESSON
LESSON 8 – Kansas-Nebraska Act: Will you support the Kansas-Nebraska Act?
Sample Lesson: Mexican Territory: Decision Making in History
Critical Thinking in History: Antebellum America Annotated Bibliography
Published Materials
Free Critical Thinking Lesson: Misinformation
Free Lesson! Conspiracy Theories (1830-1860)
Free Lesson! Evaluating sources about the antebellum period according to the PROP criteria.
Free Lesson! Evaluating sources on slavery in the antebellum period according to the PROP criteria.
Free Lesson! Did the frontier shape American character? Evaluating cause-and-effect, Part 1.
Free Lesson! Did other frontiers shape the character of those people? Evaluating cause-and-effect, Part 2.