SS.8.A.5.1

Explain the causes, course, and consequence of the Civil War (sectionalism, slavery, states' rights, balance of power in the Senate).
General Information
Subject Area: Social Studies
Grade: 8
Strand: American History
Status: State Board Approved

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
2100010: M/J United States History (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2100015: M/J United States History & Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2100020: M/J United States History Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2100025: M/J United States History Advanced & Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2100030: M/J Florida History (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
7821026: Access M/J United States History and Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2019, 2019 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2100035: M/J United States History Digital Technologies (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018 (course terminated))
7821025: Access M/J United States History (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2100045: M/J United States History & Civics (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
7821027: Access M/J Florida History (Specifically in versions: 2023 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
SS.8.A.5.AP.1: Identify the causes, events, and consequences of the Civil War.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Lesson Plans

Reconstruction Amendments after the Civil War: Lesson 3:

In this lesson, students dive further into the political and civic participation of the reconstruction era. The main focus of this mini-unit is to talk about Reconstruction and civic participation. This is Day 3 of 3 (or Lesson 3 of 3) in a mini-unit focusing on Reconstruction.

Type: Lesson Plan

Reconstruction After the Civil War: Lesson 2:

In this lesson, students dive into the political and civic participation of the reconstruction era. This explains the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments and the time period after the Civil War. The main focus of this mini-unit is to talk about Reconstruction and civic participation. This is Day 2 of 3 (or Lesson 2 of 3) in a mini-unit focusing on Reconstruction.

Type: Lesson Plan

End of the Civil War - Reconstruction Introduction: Lesson 1:

In this lesson, students will examine a condensed reading of the Civil War and build their background knowledge. The main focus of this mini-unit is to talk about Reconstruction and civic participation. This is Day 1 of 3 (or Lesson 1 of 3) in a mini-unit focusing on Reconstruction.

Type: Lesson Plan

Thank You, Mr. Lincoln!:

This web resource from the Civil War Trust will engage students through an analysis of primary source documents as they work to discuss the meaning and significance of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Type: Lesson Plan

1860-1861: The Country Goes To War:

This web resource, from the Civil War Trust, helps students examine the state of the nation and the sequence of events leading to the Civil War. A thorough PowerPoint and graphic organizer are included to ensure students are fully engaged while learning. Supporting activities include questions putting students in the shoes of the citizens of the time, giving them a unique perspective and an exit ticket to help reinforce what they just learned.

Type: Lesson Plan

The Effects of the Civil War:

This lesson is intended to help students identify and discuss the effects of the American Civil War, with an emphasis on helping students summarize the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, examine John Wilkes Booth's assassination of President Lincoln, and understand the terms reconstruction and reunification.

Type: Lesson Plan

Frederick Douglass’s Speech “The Meaning of the Fourth of July for the Negro” Social Studies LP:

The purpose of this lesson is to give students studying the causes of the Civil War an opportunity to consider the difficult subject of abolition from multiple viewpoints. They will do this by analyzing a primary source document. This document will be analyzed using two strategies, the "SOAPStone" and a "Chalk Talk". The former is designed to generate a basic understanding of the text and the latter to consider the document in greater depth. This lesson should be implemented at a point where the students have already learned the history of slavery both in the North and the South.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorial

Comparing Florida's Constitutions:

Learn about the 1838 Florida Constitution and the 1868 Florida Constitution with this interactive tutorial. 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Presentation/Slideshow

The 1868 Florida Constitution:

This PowerPoint slideshow is designed to support teachers in delivering direct instruction on the origins and content of Florida's 1868 state constitution. The accompanying guided notes can be completed by students during instruction.

Type: Presentation/Slideshow

Integrated Social Studies with Civics Original tutorials - Grades 6-12

Comparing Florida's Constitutions:

Learn about the 1838 Florida Constitution and the 1868 Florida Constitution with this interactive tutorial. 

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Original Student Tutorial

Comparing Florida's Constitutions:

Learn about the 1838 Florida Constitution and the 1868 Florida Constitution with this interactive tutorial. 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.