US National Archives
Our Documents: The Kansas Nebraska Act
An outstanding, interactive copy of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the legislation that repealed the Missouri Compromise. Historical context included, as well as links to larger images, a typed transcript, and a downloadable PDF file.
Yale University
Avalon Project: Declaration of the Secession of South Carolina
Full text of the declaration adopted by South Carolina as justification for its secession from the Union.
CPALMS
Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: What Caused the Civil War?
A tutorial that looks at the main causes of the American Civil War. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.
C3 Teachers
C3 Teachers: Inquiries: Uncle Tom's Cabin
A comprehensive learning module based on the novel Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It includes three supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and primary source materials, followed by a summative performance task....
PBS
Pbs: Cet: Africans in America: The Raid on Harper's Ferry
PBS' four-part series, "Africans in America," highlights the antislavery movement, including a focus on John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry. Content includes a description of the event, as well as the after-effects including the news of...
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
Teaching History: Beyond the Textbook: Causing the Civil War
An essay that looks at other, more complex reasons for the outbreak of the Civil War, beyond the traditionally accepted ones related to the Northern industrial economy versus the Southern agricultural one.
University of Groningen
American History: Documents: Excerpts From "The Fugitive Slave Act"
This site titled, "From Revolution to Reconstruction," provides excerpts from the text of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, part of the Compromise of 1850.
![Digital History: Why Do People Fight? The Causes of the Civil War [Pdf] Website](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Digital History: Why Do People Fight? The Causes of the Civil War [Pdf] Website")
Digital History
Digital History: Why Do People Fight? The Causes of the Civil War [Pdf]
Throughout the years since the end of the Civil War, historians have been weighing in on the causes of that terrible time in the history of the United States. Interpretations have changed over the generations. Read the questions that...
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: Impact of Dred Scott: Beginning Scott v Sandford
Explains the background for the Dred Scott case and its journey through the court system, finally reaching the US Supreme Court.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: Impact of Dred Scott: The Road to Civil War
After the Dred Scott decision by the US Supreme Court, the friction between the North and South over slavery escalated, and the North began to fear that they might not be able to prevent slavery from spreading into their states. The Dred...
History of American Wars
History of American Wars: What Caused the Civil War?
A timeline from the 17th to the 19th century showing the evolution of the slavery issue in the United States, leading eventually to the Civil War.
PBS
Africans in America: John Brown's Black Raiders
This page provides information on the black men who took part in John Brown's Raid. Includes quotes of associates referring to the men.
Kidport
Kidport Reference Library: The Civil War
Here is a summary of the factors that led to the Civil War. You can also link to pages with photos on battles, forts, communication, hospitals, and more.
Library of Virginia
Death or Liberty: John Brown's Raid
The Library of Virginia details John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry as a prelude to the U.S. Civil War. Content also lists various records and resources regarding John Brown's Raid held in the library.
Tom Richey
Tom richey.net: The Crisis of the Union (1850 1860) [Ppt]
Presents key ideas for examining the events and issues that led to the American Civil War.
Other
Radford University: The Civil War for Fifth Graders
Covers many aspects of the Civil War, without too much text for Grade 5 students. Includes links to additional information and a few learning activities. (Note: Some links may no longer be working.)
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Causes of the Civil War
Through a comprehensive powerpoint presentation, students will learn details of the five main causes of the Civil War in the United States.
American Battlefield Trust
American Battlefield Trust: Civil War: Trigger Events of the Civil War
A list with descriptions of the major events that led up to the outbreak of the Civil War.
Curated OER
National Park Service: The Significance of the Dred Scott Trial
In this article from "The Old Courthouse" by Donald Dosch the facts of the Dred Scott decision are laid out. Read why the outcome of the case fanned the embers of the coming Civil War.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Going to War!
In this 21st Century roleplay lesson plan, students use what they know about causes of the Civil War to have an educated discussion with another class. By utilizing Skype, students and teachers collaborate with one another in an engaging...
Other
Causes of the Civil War: A North Georgia Perspective
Read about the causes of the Civil War from a southern perspective.
ArtsNow
Arts Now Learning: The Civil War [Pdf]
In this lesson, 5th graders explore the concept of cause and effect in the context of the Civil War and work in groups to write and deliver speeches articulating a point of view for one of the War's causes: tariffs, state's rights, or...