This lesson is designed for the traditional, non-computer classroom, although
teachers may choose to have students use the newspaper transcription browser
on the sectional crisis to find their own articles to read and interpret.
Students should be familiar with the information contained in the Historical
Background section.
Print and copy the following in advance (if you are conducting this class
in a traditional, non-computer classroom.)
Student Worksheet One:
This worksheet contains two articles from the Staunton Spectator. One,
from January 22, 1861, is a long poem titled "God Save Our Noble Union,"
and the other, from March 19, 1861, prints a report from Georgia discussing
the problems that secession has caused.
Student Worksheet Two:
This worksheet contains an article from the Staunton Spectator, April
2, 1861, offering two main arguments against secession.
Student Worksheet Three:
This worksheet contains an article from the Republican Vindicator, January
4,1861, that blames the North for the secession crisis. It does not address
the Virginia secession issue directly, but it is a good indicator of Democratic
Party sentiment in the county. Students should know the basic facts regarding
the presidential election of 1860, the secession of the Lower South states,
and situation of the Upper South states in the months preceding the firing
on Sumter.
Center
for Technology and Teacher Education,
University of Virginia,
This module
created by Alice Carter of the
University of Virginia..