American Rhetoric
American Rhetoric: Abraham Lincoln: "A House Divided"
This is the text of Abraham Lincoln's famous speech, "A House Divided" concerning the issue of slavery it was delivered on June 16, 1858, in Springfield, Illinois. It includes his famous quote: "A house divided against itself cannot...
Other
Encyclopedia of American Foreign Policy: Civil War Diplomacy
An article by noted historian, Kinley Brauer, discusses the role of foreign policy for both the North and the South in the Civil War. An interesting, and often forgotten, aspect of the war.
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Zachary Taylor
Here is the beginning point of all information about Zachary Taylor's presidency. From University of Virginia.
OpenStax
Open Stax: The Constitutional Convention and Federal Constitution
After reading this section of the chapter on "Creating Republican Governments", students will be able to identify the central issues of the 1787 Constitutional Convention and their solutions and also describe the conflicts over the...
University of Richmond
Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet: 1894 1909
This curation, transcription, and interpretation of the Richmond Planet opens a window into fundamental issues of race, equity, justice, violence, and power that still stir the nation today. Thirteen formerly enslaved men formed the...
Chicago History Museum
Encyclopedia of Chicago: Certificates of Freedom 1844
View authentic certificates of freedom for John and Mary Jones issued in 1844.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1844 1877: The Civil War: Emancipation Proclamation
Discusses the background to the Emancipation Proclamation and how Abraham Lincoln came to support the abolition of slavery and the difficulties that were encountered around this issue. Explains that it did not apply to all slaves as...
Curated OER
National Park Service: Dr. Stephen Oates on John Brown
This site presents audio and video clips of an interview with Dr. Stephen B. Oates conducted at Harpers Ferry National Historic Park on June 30, 1994. Dr. Oates comments on John Brown's impact upon the nation with regard to the slavery...
Curated OER
Etc: Maps Etc: United States and the Slavery Prohibition Issue, 1850
A map of the United States and territories at the time of the slavery prohibition issue in 1850, after the Missouri Compromise of 1820. The map is color-coded to show the areas where slavery was prohibited by State Law, slavery was...
Curated OER
Etc: Maps Etc: The Slavery Prohibition Compromise of 1850, 1850
A map of California, the Utah Territory, and the New Mexico Territory in 1850 showing the effect of the Compromise of 1850, a series of bills intending to settle the issue of slavery and abolition raised in the territories after the...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Popular Sovereignty
Read about the concept of popular sovereignty in relation to issue of expansion of slavery in the territories. It was not as simple as it seemed. Find out about how the issue of slavery was addressed in the election of 1848. Included is...
Digital History
Digital History: The Crisis of 1850 [Pdf]
Read excerpts of the contentious debate about slavery in the territories as the U.S. Congress tried to hammer out legislation that could be passed by both houses and signed into law by the president. Find the provisions of the Compromise...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Three Senatorial Giants: Clay, Calhoun and Webster
Read about these three titans of the Senate from 1812 until their deaths in the 1850s. Their last struggle against each other was the issue of slavery. See how Henry Clay, the great compromiser, offered one last compromise to try to keep...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Compromise of 1850
Find the various parts of the Compromise of 1850, proposed by Henry Clay, that extended slavery in some cases, prohibited in others, and added California as a free state. A clear chart shows what parts of the law were beneficial to the...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Peculiar Institution
A very brief look at the "Peculiar Institution" of slavery in the South before the Civil War. Read about how slavery became so entrenced and why it drove a wedge between the North and South.
Digital History
Digital History: The Civil War Begins [Pdf]
The election of 1860 showed the deep divisions that split the country. With four candidates representing four very different approaches to the issue of slavery, the outcome resulted in the secession of South Carolina, followed eventually...
Digital History
Digital History: Abraham Lincoln: Great or Reluctant Emancipator [Pdf]
By examinining Abraham Lincoln's speeches as a candidate for the Senate and as a President in the context of the social and political climate of the time, one can see what he believes about slavery, and how the problem of slavery can be...
National Constitution Center
National Constitution Center: Thirteenth Amendment [Pdf]
Primary source document, informational text and questions for discussion included for students studying issues surrounding the abolition of slavery and the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
Digital History
Digital History: The Political Crisis of the 1840s
Read about the attempt to keep slavery out of the newly acquired Mexican Cession, and so how this attempt revealed an increased split between North and South.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Making of African American Identity: The Black Press
Selections from a black newspaper, "The Colored American, "from 1837-1838 that detail the numerous issues and agendas confronting enslaved and free blacks.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: Politics and Sectionalism: The Bleeding of Kansas
Discusses the tension in Kansas over the issue of slavery after Nebraska voted to be a free state.
Digital History
Digital History: The Texas Question in American Politics
A very interesting explanation of how Texas was annexed to the United States despite much opposition. Read about the false conspiracy put forth by pro-slavery Southerners concerning Great Britain's plan for Texas.
Digital History
Digital History: The Lincoln Douglas Debates
Historic debates, both in substance and form, were held between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in the Illinois Senate race in 1858. Read about the debates, where tht two men stood on the issue of slavery, and its place in the...
Digital History
Digital History: Nullification
As with most other debates leading up to the Civil War, the debate about states' rights in reference to nullifying federal laws, ostensibly about tariffs, was really about the future of slavery in the South. Read about the issues of...