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Units October 21, 2021

Antebellum, Civil War & Reconstruction: How did slavery shape American society?

Lesson Summary: Students in North Carolina study the Antebellum, Civil War, and Reconstruction periods while considering the long lasting legacy of slavery in all the United States today. Downloads: Chccs unit materials_website ready-20211102t190146z-001.zip
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This unit was created by Middle School Social Studies Educators in Chapel-Hill Carrboro City Schools, part of the 2021 cohort of  The 1619 Project Education Network. It is designed for facilitation across approximately 4 weeks.

Essential Questions

How did slavery shape American Society?

  • How did the institution of slavery systematically oppress Black populations in the United States? 
  • What strategies prior to the Civil War did groups and individuals perform to demonstrate support or disdain for issues like slavery? 
  • Can violence ever be justified in the past or present when dealing with unjust laws? 
  • Was the Civil War inevitable? 
  • What is the legacy of slavery in the 21st Century?

Unit Overview

The Civil War remains one of the most significant events in the history of the state of North Carolina. This conflict pitted North Carolinians against their neighbors and fellow Americans. During this 4 week unit, students trace the causes of the war, including the perpetuation of slavery and the assertion of states’ rights. It is important for students to understand the varied experiences of North Carolinians during this period as well as the disagreements they held about the institution of slavery. Students will explore why some North Carolinians were reluctant to join the Confederacy and the political events that ultimately led the state to secede from the Union. 

The unit ends with a research paper focused on the legacy of slavery in the 21st century. Students will utilize resources from The 1619 Project to conduct their research, and will focus on a particular topic or theme to demonstrate the lasting impact of slavery in the United States today.

Performance Task

As a performance task for this unit, students complete a research paper focusing on the legacy of slavery in the 21st century. Students will utilize resources from The 1619 Project as a part of their research, and will focus on a particular topic or theme to demonstrate the lasting impact of slavery in the United States today. Student papers are assessed using a standardized writing rubric.

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