Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: The Civil War, 1861 1865
[Free Registration/Login Required] A collection of letters and documents focusing on the Civil War and the secession crisis. Learn about the historical events through personal letters, diaries, newspapers, and photographs.
American Battlefield Trust
American Battlefield Trust: Civil War Lesson Plans: High School
Several lesson plans for high school aged students that are standards-based to help them learn about the Civil War.
Books in the Classroom
Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site: Civil War in Children's Literature
This page from Carol Hurst's Children's Literature offers book reviews and planning help for an upper elementary unit on the Civil War. Includes information on books for teachers, books for students, easy-purchase links, and links to...
Tom Richey
Tom Richey: The Civil War 1861 1865
An extensive collection of slides enhance study of the Civil War in North America. Find illustrated details of the key parts of the war: secession, limited war, turning point, and total war. Consider the probing essay questions also...
NOAA
Noaa: Office of Coast Survey: Historical Map and Chart Collection
A collection of maps and charts related to the Civil War. Maps and charts can be downloaded and saved.
Lin and Don Donn
Lin and Don Donn: u.s. History Lessons: Civil War
This personal site provides a wealth of ideas regarding the Civil War Era. Look for lesson ideas about the events leading up to the war, the Civil War, the Underground Railroad, and the Reconstruction Era.
CommonLit
Common Lit: "A Nation Divided: North vs. South" by Us history.org
The American Civil War was fought within the United States from 1861 to 1865. The election of President Abraham Lincoln in 1860 increased tension between the North and South. Lincoln's political party was interested in stopping the...
The History Cat
The History Cat: Winning the Civil War
Looks at the resources available to the Union and Confederate military forces, the Anaconda Plan undertaken by the North to squeeze the economy of the South, and the delaying tactics of General George McClellan who hesitated to attack...
CommonLit
Common Lit: Text Sets: The Civil War
This is a collection of 29 Grade-Leveled texts (6-12)on the topic The Civil War. The American Civil War lasted for only 5 years but divided the country along bitter lines as the North fought to keep southern states from seceding from the...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Civil War
Understand how events of the Civil War helps tell America's story.
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.
Scholastic
Scholastic: New York Times Upfront: The Civil War: Ten Things You Should Know
Article written on the 150th anniversary of Fort Sumter, the beginning of the American Civil War, in which the author presents little known Civil War facts about topics such as, Americans during that time, slavery, new technologies,...
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...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Expository Writing and the Civil War
This lesson is designed to help young scholars strengthen their research and writing skills, while learning more about the Civil War, as they produce an expository paragraph. Students will glean information from an article about the...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1844 1877: Unit Test
Take this ten-question unit test over the period of 1844-1877 in US history.
A&E Television
History.com: Elizabeth Blackwell Fought Sexism to Save Civil War Soldiers
Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman in America to earn a medical degree, and used her talents to support Union troops on the front lines of the Civil War. But she was never given the credit she deserved.(Video 1:00)
A&E Television
History.com: How Photos From the Battle of Antietam Revealed the American Civil War's Horrors
In October 1862, a shocking and unique photo exhibition opened at Mathew B. Brady's Broadway gallery in New York City. A small placard at the door advertised "The Dead of Antietam," and, as The New York Times reported on October 20,...
A&E Television
History.com: California's Little Known Role in the American Civil War
Though far from the main fighting, California made an outsized contribution to the Union victory, mostly in the form of gold and troops. California proved pivotal to the Union war effort, propping up the economy with its vast gold...
History Teacher
Historyteacher.net: The Civil War: Quiz (1)
This 10-question multiple choice quiz is immediately scored and tests your comprehension of slavery in the South leading up to the Civil War.
History Teacher
Historyteacher.net: The Civil War: Quiz (2)
Multiple choice quiz consists of 10 questions that test your knowledge of the Civil War. Quiz is immediately scored throughout.
Tom Richey
Tom Richey: The Civil War and Reconstruction (1861 1877)
The election of 1860 sparked the secession of the southern states. This group of states formed the Confederacy while the northern states to be named the Union. This unit will examine in detail the events which then led to the Civil War...
Other
Kid Info: History of the Civil War and the Reconstruction Era
Looking to become an expert on the Civil War and the Reconstruction Era? If so, then this is the perfect site for you! It is packed with links to learn about the battles of the Civil War, artillery used, Generals of the Civil War, and...
Other
Pocantico Hills Central School: The Civil War for Kids
Written and published by an elementary school class in New York, this site offers lots of information on the Civil War. You'll find pictures, maps, a timeline, and graphs. Learn about battles, leaders, uniforms, flags, and much more....
Other
Pa Roots: Pennsylvania in the Civil War
Background information about Pennsylvania's involvement in the Civil War. This website describes briefly the impact Pennsylvania provided to the union forces during the war.