Civil War: Texas Secedes from the United States

Students begin by defining civil war. Then they examine the issues causing conflict between the North and the South. Next they learn about the secession of Texas and other southern states, and they analyze a map of the Union and the Confederate states. Finally students choose one of three people—Sam Houston, a plantation owner, or someone who didn’t enslave people—and explain that person’s point of view about secession.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

Overview

In this experience, students begin by defining civil war. Then they examine the issues causing conflict between the North and the South. Next they learn about the secession of Texas and other southern states, and they analyze a map of the Union and the Confederate states. Finally students choose one of three people—Sam Houston, a plantation owner, someone who didn’t enslave people—and explain that person’s point of view about secession.

Estimated duration: 35-45 minutes

Discovery Reading

A printable Discovery Reading is included in the student pack as a support for understanding the experience’s core content and concepts. This Discovery Reading is not necessary to complete the experience and serves as an optional support resource.

Vocabulary Words:

These vocabulary words are used in the experience or connect closely to the standards and content students examine. Students should understand these terms as they work through the experience.

civil war: a war fought between groups or citizens of the same country
secede: to officially leave a country or union
Confederacy: the Confederate States of America, the new country formed by southern states that seceded from the United States
Union: the United States and the states that did not secede during the Civil War
tariff: a tax on goods brought in from other countries
loyalty oath: a formal promise to be faithful to a government

Objectives

Identify issues leading up to the Civil War.
Describe how Texas made the decision to secede from the United States.

Engage

The conflict between the North and the South over slavery was growing to the point that no solution looked possible. In this lesson, you will learn about the coming Civil War.

Objectives

Identify issues leading up to the Civil War.
Describe how Texas made the decision to secede from the United States.

In the period leading up to the Civil War, the United States was almost like two different countries in the beliefs and way of life in the North and the South. The map shows which states were on each side.

Map showing the free states and the slave states in 1861

Map of United States, 1861: Slave and Free States

What is a civil war? Use a dictionary if necessary. Then try to answer the question with a definition or an example.

Post your answer

Sample answers: A war between citizens of the same country; a violent conflict between a government and some of its citizens.

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