Sectional Conflict
One theme central to any discussion about the Civil War is sectional
conflict. In this session participants explored how experiences such as
John Brown’s Raid and the Dred Scott Decision affected the lives of
Americans and intensified the sectional divide between the North and the
South.
Participants utilized a range of primary sources from legal documents and
court decisions to editorials and opinion pieces. Participants were
encouraged to view several different web pages and use the documents to
design class projects and ideas for future lessons that would enhance
students' critical thinking skills and their understanding of sectional
conflict.
Dred
Scott Decision
[PBS.org, "Africans in America Resource Bank"]
From this description of the case you can also link to excerpts from the
1857 Supreme Court Decision.
John
Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry
[PBS.org, "Africans in America Resource Bank"]
From this description of the raid on Harpers Ferry you can link to a
variety of related documents including Brown's Address to the Court.
It is often useful to have students read contemporary reactions to
important historical events. The Secession Era Editorials Project at
Furman University permits students to view newspaper editorials--North and
South--that responded to the Dred Scott
Decision and John Brown's
Raid.
Finally, you may find occasions when a play reading with students will
prove an effective way to bring alive historical events. There is a
website developed by the National Park Service that offers a dramatization
of the Dred Scott Trial.
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