Grade 8 Lesson at a Glance: Chapter 12, Lesson 1

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
A More Perfect Union

Lesson at a Glance
Chapter 12, Lesson 1: North Versus South (pp. 342-346)

The Big Idea
Framework Concept: Conflict As the Civil War began, the North and the South had different strengths and weaknesses, but both felt confident about winning.

Use the map on page 343 to show the 11 states that made up the Confederacy, then outline the Southern army buildup. Discuss both the challenges and advantages the South faced. Be sure students understand that black slaves made up one-third of the Southern population, but could not fight.

Refer students again to the map on page 343 to see the states which made up the Union. Describe the advantages the North had over the South. Point out the importance of the Northern navy. Be sure students understand that both sides felt confident that they would win.

Lesson Outline
Use the Lesson Outline to preview the content of the lesson. You may wish to print it for your students as a guide during reading.

Check for Understanding

Ask each student to write a letter, as an English trader, to his partners in England, comparing the strengths and weaknesses of the North and South in the coming conflict. Encourage students to discuss how the Northern blockade of Southern ports would affect Southern trade.
Divide the class into two halves, and assign one to represent the North, and the other, the South. Have each student create a poster or advertisement designed to show all the reasons why his or her side will easily win the war.

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