United States History Student Edition

10

INQUIRY ACTIVITY

FLORIDA BENCHMARKS

Analyzing Sources: Lincoln, Slavery, and Winning the War ? COMPELLING QUESTION How did Lincoln struggle with political and ethical issues?

• SS.8.A.1.7 • SS.8.A.5.2 • SS.8.A.5.3

• SS.8.A.1.1 • SS.8.A.1.3 • SS.8.A.1.5 • SS.8.A.1.6

Plan Your Inquiry DEVELOPING QUESTIONS

Background Information Abraham Lincoln is known as the president who freed enslaved people during the Civil War. However, Lincoln’s personal and political views about slavery conflicted with each other. What were Lincoln’s beliefs about slavery? Why did Lincoln make the abolishment of slavery a goal of the war? This lesson includes speeches and letters written by Abraham Lincoln. As you read each speech or letter, think about the year Lincoln wrote it, his audience, and his purpose in writing it. Identify patterns in Lincoln’s views about slavery, including his own personal feelings and his political views as president.

Think about President Abraham Lincoln’s changing views on slavery. Then read the Compelling Question for this lesson. What questions can you ask to help you answer this Compelling Question? Create a graphic organizer like the one below. Write your Supporting Questions in your graphic organizer.

What this source tells me about Lincoln’s changing views on slavery

Questions the source leaves unanswered

Supporting Questions

Primary Source

A B C D E

ANALYZING SOURCES Next, examine the primary sources in this lesson. Analyze each source by answering the questions that follow it. How does each source help you answer each Supporting Question you created? What questions do you still have? Write these in your graphic organizer.

After you analyze the sources, you will: • use the evidence from the sources • communicate your conclusions • take informed action

» Freed African Americans in Richmond, 1865

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