Curated OER
Civil War
Young scholars consider what it was like for black regiments during the Civil War. In this American Civil War lesson, students view segments of "Glory," and "The Descendants of the 29th Regiment." Young scholars discuss the conditions of...
Curated OER
Prairie Voices: Iowa and the Civil War
Students study how the Civil War affected Iowa natives. In this Iowa history lesson, students read the provided article on Iowa and its Civil War experiences. Students analyze the article to determine how the war affected civilians and...
Curated OER
You Ain't Whistling Dixie
Seventh graders complete a unit of lessons on the Civil War. They identify the factors that led to the Civil War, develop and perform a skit, research and write a report, or create a replica of art from Civil War period.
Library of Congress
Loc: Prints and Photographs: Glimpses of Soldiers' Lives
A collection of nineteen original photographs of soldiers who served during the Civil War. Each photograph is accompanied by a short essay that includes biographical information about their Civil War experiences and, where possible,...
The History Cat
The History Cat: The Civil War
Discover an abundance of facts about the Civil War from topics such as Fort Sumter, the secession crisis, how the war was won, Bull Run, and Civil War soldiers.
Other
Library of Congress: Civil War Faces
A collection of well over 1,000 photographs of Union and Confederate soldiers from the Civil War, as well as some family members. Each photo is accompanied by a caption. Click on the 'Show more' link at the top of the page for additional...
Library of Congress
Loc: Learning Page: Civil War Soldiers' Stories
Included here are primary source documents that tell the story of Civil War soldiers in their own words. These historic documents tell why men and boys joined so enthusiastically, and what trials and suffering were endured.
Digital History
Digital History: Water Color Sketchbook by Private Henry Berckhoff
What did the Civil War look like to the soldiers who fought in it? The pictures in this exhibition were drawn by a young Union soldier, Henry Berckhoff, during the war. His drawings allow us to see the Civil War through a soldier's eyes.
Library of Congress
Loc: Prints and Photographs: Liljenquist Civil War Photographs
View an entire collection of ambrotype and tintype photographs of Union and Confederate soldiers.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Homer's Civil War Veteran: Battlefield to Wheat Field
In this lesson plan, middle schoolers will consider "Homer's Civil War Veteran: Battlefield to Wheat Field." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Other
Pennsylvania Heritage Society: Pennsylvania Civil War 150: Interactive Soldier
Videos and models of Civil War reenactors illustrate the uniform and drills of Union soldiers. Also includes a cannon-firing demonstration.
Other
A Soldier's Diary: The Memoirs, Diary and Life of Private Jefferson Moses
A treasure trove of primary source material from an ordinary Union soldier. Read his memoirs, diary, and see artifacts from his life.
University of Virginia
E Text Center: American Civil War Collection
Collection of primary documents--letters, diaries, photographs, and newspaper articles of both the Union and Confederate.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: A War to End Slavery: Gettysburg, Vicksburg and Children at War [Pdf]
A lesson plan from the producers of the 16-episode PBS series "Freedom: A History of US" that takes students through an investigation of two key battles of the Civil War--Vicksburg and Gettysburg. Students determine why these battles...
University of North Carolina
Documenting the South: Robert Stiles, 1836 1905: Four Years Under Marse Robert
This site from the University of North Carolina contains the actual text of "Four Years Under Marse Robert" from the memoirs of a Confederate soldier.
University of North Carolina
Documenting the South: The War: "Stonewall" Jackson as I Saw Them
A first-hand chronology of James H. Wood's experiences in the Civil War. Included are campaigns of Stonewall Jackson in which Wood participated.
University of North Carolina
Documenting the South: John H. Worsham
At this site from the University of North Carolina there is a firsthand account from a foot soldier who fought under the command of "Stonewall," Jackson during the Civil War. Download the full text of John H. Worsham's text, which was...
Success Link
Success Link: Civil War 1861 1865
An eight-lesson unit on the Civil War using Patricia Beatty's young adult novel, Charley Skedaddle, as the unifying text. Geared mainly for middle school, but certainly has good information for high school students as well.
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: Civil War at the Smithsonian
This site is produced by the National Portrait Gallery and is dedicated to examining the Civil War through the Smithsonian extensive collections. Contains many primary source exhibits such as diaries and portraits, focusing mostly on the...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: The Massachusetts 54th Regiment: Honoring the Heroes
In this lesson plan, students will consider "The Massachusetts 54th Regiment: Honoring the Heroes." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Curated OER
Library of Congress: Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Portraits
View this entire collection of beautiful ambrotype and tintype photographs of Union and Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War. Many have personal notes found in the case. It is very touching to see the young faces of these...