National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Before Brother Fought Brother
A lesson plan that addresses the "complex series of events" leading to the Civil War. Through this lesson, students will "gain an appreciation of everyday life in the North and South, changes occurring, and some of the major social and...
Henry J. Sage
Sage American History: Sectional Issues, 1815 to 1860
Article describes the sectional issues present in America between 1815 and 1860, including tariffs, banking, and the divisive issue of slavery.
US Capitol Visitor Center
U.s. Capitol Visitor Center: 1820 1861: Holding the Union Together
American history from 1820-1861 is interwoven with the history of the Capitol as it was expanded to accommodate a growing government body. A timeline of significant events in the debates over slavery, the addition of free and slave...
University of Richmond
University of Richmond: Forced Migration Map
Interactive map and graph that shows forced migration of enslaved persons between 1810 and 1860. Can be viewed state by state and chronologically.
OpenStax
Open Stax: The Filibuster and the Quest for New Slave States
This section of a chapter on "The Antebellum South" explains the expansionist goals of advocates of slavery and describes the filibuster expeditions undertaken during the antebellum era.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Wealth and Culture in the South
Read this section of a chapter on "The Antebellum South" to assess the distribution of wealth and learn about the southern culture of honor.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of Us: Wake Up, America!
This resource covers the changing of America due to the Industrial Revolution which brought in not only new technology but also opened the door to reform movements. From the series by Joy Hakim, "A History of Us." Includes a teacher's...
iCivics
I Civics: A Growing Nation
In this unit, students learn how the United States began to grow as soon as it became a nation, and they examine the effect of this growth on societies already established in North America. Register for a free account to download teacher...
Department of Defense
Do Dea: Ap Us History: Unit 4: A House Divided
This extensive learning module examines how the United States became more connected with the world as it pursued an expansionist foreign policy, became the destination for many new immigrants, and encouraged migration to the Pacific...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Triumph of Nationalism: Culture of the Common Man
A collection of twelve primary resources, primarily from American literature, that addresses questions about how the United States could function as a democracy, and differences between the concepts of the North and the South concerning...
Digital History
Digital History: The Sections [Pdf]
Soon after the end of the Revolutionary War, the characteristics of the various parts of the new United States established themselves. Find out about the sectionalism, economy, and needs in the country in the early 1800s--the...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Lands of Promise
Outline about the promising economic times of an expanding America during the 1800s, including changes taking place in New England, the South, the Midwest and West.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Slavery and Sectionalism
Article outlines the conflict between the North and South over the institution of slavery.
Digital History
Digital History: The Disruption of the Artisan System of Labor
A look at how goods were produced in the early 1800s in home-based businesses, only to be supplanted by factories with unskilled workers by mid-century.
History Tools
History Tools: Wm. Ellery Channing, Excerpts From Unitarian Christianity [Pdf]
Historical writing by William Ellery Channing critiquing Calvinism and espousing the Unitarian Christianity Movement. Paragraph numbers have been added and some spelling has been modernized.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: New Roles for White Women
A look at the changes in the role of white, middle-class women as a result of the Second Great Awakening, among other social forces.
Digital History
Digital History: The Growth of the American Economy
A brief look at why the American economy boomed across the country after the War of 1812. Read about the industrialization, expansion of transportation, and improved farming techniques.
Digital History
Digital History: Early Industrialization
Advances in technology affected manufacturing in the North and farming in the South. Read about how America turned from a country where most products were made in the home to an economic power that used factory production.
Digital History
Digital History: The Transformation of the Rural Countryside
Read about the household industries that provided work and hard currency for farm families in the early 1800s. Find out why these industries declined within 30 years.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: American Inventors
Students will learn about 8 American inventors from the 1800's. They will use the internet of encyclopedia disc to research and print pictures and information about these people.
Columbia University
Columbia University: Columbia University & Slavery 5. King's, the Revolution
This website was created by faculty, students, and staff to publicly present information about Columbia's historical connections to the institution of slavery. This article focuses on King's College, soon to be Columbia College, in the...
Digital History
Digital History: Transforming American Law
Changes in American law promoted economic growth. See how private companies were protected from penalties and liabilities, and were given special privileges because they contributed to the public good.
Digital History
Digital History: The Eve of the Industrial Revolution
A brief review of how the nation changed from 1790 to the 1820s. See how the production of goods moved from the home to factories and read about the change in the way workers were compensated.
History Teacher
Historyteacher.net: American Society: 1800 1860: Quiz (1)
This 12-question multiple choice quiz is immediately scored and covers developments in American society between 1800-1860.