Introduction

"Whatever might be the result of the contest, I forsee that the country will have to pass through a terrible ordeal." Robert E. Lee, Confederate General

You are an historical figure during the Civil War. The year is 1863 and the Civil War is in full swing. This war has divided your nation. Hundreds of thousands are being killed. It is especially difficult, because soldiers may be fighting their cousins, friends, or even their brothers, fathers or sisters! A debate has been scheduled where you will need to defend your views on critical matters affecting the North and South. You are so passionate, that you are even willing to die for your cause. Why is your cause worth dying for?

The Task

You will participate in a structured debate, as your character in 1863, in which you will have to successfully defend your beliefs regarding the issues that caused, and continue to cause, friction between the North and South.

At the debate, you will need to be able to do the following in character:

• State who you are, where you are from, how old you are, and if you are on the Union or Confederate side
• Explain what you have done to aid your country to this point
• Intelligently discuss major issues that divided the United States, as seen from your character's perspective
• Defend the idea that our country will be a better place if your side wins

The Process

To accomplish this task:

1. Use the links below to find research about your historical figure and Civil War issues
2. Use Inspiration to record the following information:
   

3. Meet with your debate team to discuss and assign tasks (see Debate Rules).
4. Use your Inspiration work to practice your debating skills. You should be able to support the conclusion that your cause is worth dying for.
5. Be prepared to dress as your character and debate the issues of the Civil War (see Debate Suggestions).
6. Meet with your debate team for final preparation
7 Debate!

Historical Figures

Cause Links

Encarta Civil War Causes

Civil War Causes

United States Civil War Site

North Georgia Views

Confederate Views

Civil War Causes

History Place

Other Interesting Sites

Slave Quarters

Civil War in Miniature

Civil War Clothing

Inspiration Rubric

Inspiration Rubric Printable Version

	Excellent 4	Good 3	Satisfactory 2	Needs Improvement 1	Score
Characters Personal Data	Includes date and place of birth, North or South, and authentic looking clothing of 1863 in logical order	Characters Personal Data includes three of the required data	Characters Personal Data includes two of the required data	Characters Personal Data includes one or none of the required data
What your character did to aid Confederate or Union Side	Clearly states four historically accurate facts regarding how your character aided the Union or Confederate side	Clearly states three historically accurate facts regarding how your character aided the Union or Confederate side	Clearly states two historically accurate facts regarding how your character aided the Union or Confederate side	Clearly states one historically accurate facts regarding how your character aided the Union or Confederate side
Why someone in your characters position would feel his or her side was right	Clearly states four reasons someone in your characters position would feel his or her side was right	Clearly states three reasons someone in your characters position would feel his or her side was right	Clearly states two reasons someone in your characters position would feel his or her side was right	Clearly states two reasons someone in your characters position would feel his or her side was right
Spelling and Grammar	No spelling errors, grammatically correct	One or two misspelled words or grammatical errors	Three or four grammatical errors	Five or more grammatical errors
Organization	Inspiration work is well organized with three main ideas and four well chosen details for each	Inspiration work has three main ideas and three details for each	Inspiration work has less than three main ideas or three details for each	Inspiration work is lacking organization

Debate Rubric

Debate Rubric Printable Version

Debate
Debate Rules
Debate Suggestions

Conclusion

Thank you for participating in this debate. As a result of your efforts, you have a more thorough understanding of your position, as well as your opponents. Think about how both sides thought their cause was just.

"We can laugh now at the absurd notion of there being no north and south....We are one and undivided." Sam Watkins, Confederate soldier.

Credits & References

Flags from: www.d128.k12.il.us/teacherlink/ UserGfx/2flags.jpg

Rubrics created at Rubistar