Causes of the Civil War

Lesson 2: Nat Turner

Time Estimated: 2 days, 50 minute periods days

Objectives:

Students will:

1. Review the causes of the Civil War.
2. Define primary and secondary sources and give several examples.
3. Explain who Nat Turner was and why he is famous.
4. Explain the effect Turner’s rebellion had on people living in the South.
5. Explain how Nat Turner’s rebellion was an event that increased tensions between the North and South.

Materials:

• Woodcut print of Turner Rebellion (Samuel Warner’s Authentic and Impartial Narrative of the Tragical Scene Which Was Witnessed in Southhampton County, Virginia ) http://www.eldreds.com/sales/detail.php?itemID=83644
• Questions to guide analysis of Warner’s print (handout)
• Excerpt from the Nat Turner biographical sketch (from Extraordinary Black Americans )
• Selection from Nat Turner’s diary http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/D/1826-1850/slavery/confes02.htm
• Nat Turner's confession and questions to guide its analysis

Strategies:

1. Review the causes of the Civil War.
2. Tell students they will be learning about a slave rebellion in Virginia, that increased southern anxiety and resentment toward the North.
3. Begin exploration of primary and secondary sources by asking students what they already know about each. Have them give examples of each.
4. Give students working definition of primary and secondary sources and give examples of each.
5. Distribute copies of Warner’s print along with the list of questions to guide students’ analysis of the print. Working in groups of two or three, students will analyze the print and respond orally and in writing to the questions provided. Teacher will lead the follow-up discussion.
6. Distribute biographical sketch of Nat Turner and read it to the whole class. Discuss
   • the effect his rebellion had on people living in the South, and
   • how his rebellion moved the North and the South closer to war.

Differentiation:

Since one of the primary sources being used in this lesson is a woodcut print, students who are reading below grade level should be on an equal footing with the more accomplished readers in our classroom. More advanced students will be given a selection from Nat Turner’s diary and asked to provide written answers to prepared questions relating to the diary entry.