Week 25: Causes and Leaders of the US Civil War
Homeschooling moms must fill up their knowledge bank in order to give the best to their kids. The more mom knows, the better she can teach. Research these topics and share the general idea with younger kids. For older kids, you might invite them to pick a topic to research.
Jefferson Davis
Topics for Week 25
Jefferson Davis
Robert E Lee
Ulysses S Grant
Causes of the Civil War
Discussion Questions
Jefferson Davis
Many historians attribute some of the Confederacy's weaknesses to Jefferson Davis's poor leadership. His preoccupation with detail, reluctance to delegate responsibility, lack of popular appeal, feuds with powerful state governors and generals, favoritism toward old friends, inability to get along with people who disagreed with him, neglect of civil matters in favor of military ones, and resistance to public opinion all worked against him. Historians agree he was a much less effective war leader than his Union counterpart, President Abraham Lincoln. After Davis was captured in 1865, he was accused of treason and imprisoned at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia. He was never tried and was released after two years.
Which of Davis' qualities were strong and which ones were weak? Can attention to detail, for example, be both a positive and negative trait?
Robert E Lee
What was Robert E Lee's strategy?
Why did he think the Confederate capital was well defended?
Ulysses S Grant
What was Ulysses S Grant's strategy?
How did Ulysses S Grant implement his strategy?
Causes of the Civil War
There were many causes but all revolved around a single issue -- slavery. Why were Southern States so dependent on slavery? See video below
Resources:
Books (all links go to Goodreads)
The Golden Book of the Civil War - Note: I purchased this book but other than half decent battlefield maps, the pictures are on dull paper and the book just wasn't that nice.
Free E-Books
Videos
Activities
1. Using a blank map of the United States, color the Northern States and the Southern States
2. Cook foods from the Civil War (If any of these links break, just google the name of the recipe)
Union: Irish Stew, Johnnycakes, Navy Bean Soup, Gingerbread, Cherry Cobbler
Confederacy: Hardtack, Sally Lunn Bread, Confederate Cush, Sweet Potato Pudding, Hoppin' John
3. Worksheet comparing the traits of Robert E Lee to Ulysses S Grant
Image Credit: Mathew Brady / National Archives / Public Domain