The American Civil War was fought to resolve the issues of states’ rights versus a federal union, and whether or not the nation would continue to embrace slavery.
Read South Carolina's (the first state to secede from the Union) Declaration of Causes of Secession
Work in groups and answer the following:
What historical precedents did the Declaration of Secession cite as evidence for secession?
Name and explain at least two "Causes of the Civil War" that were cited in the document to justify secession.
Read \ the Battle at Fort Sumter here
Answer the following questions:
1. What was the argument between the Union and the Confederacy concerning Fort Sumter?
2. What did Lincoln think about the South's secession movement?
3. What did Lincoln decide to do at Fort Sumter?
4. Due to Lincoln's decision in question #3 - the issue of Fort Sumter was forced to Jefferson Davis. What did he decide to do?
5. Do you think Lincoln took the best course of action forcing Jefferson Davis to make a decision?
6. If you were Lincoln would you have taken a different course of action? Explain your answer,.