Step One: Be sure you have read Chapter 13 in your textbook (Shi) – specifically sections discussing the debate over slavery’s westward expansion, the Compromise of 1850, the Fugitive Slave Act, the Dred Scott Decision, Bleeding Kansas, John Brown, and the causes of the Civil War.
Step Two: Take a few minutes to watch these video clips.
(NOTE: Information in these videos are to provide broad overviews of the key topic(s) related to the essay prompt. Students should use the Shi textbook as the main secondary source cited in the essay. Do not use the videos as secondary source material cited in the essay).
Dred Scott v. Sandford | Homework Help from the Bill of Rights Institute (Links to an external site.)
Dred Scott v. Sandford | Homework Help from the Bill of Rights Institute
Sound Smart: Dred Scott Case | History (Links to an external site.)
Sound Smart: Dred Scott Case | History
Step Three: Please read and analyze the primary sources concerning sectionalism, slavery, and the causes of the Civil War in the Analytical Essay #4 – Dred Scott and the Civil War.docx.pdf Download Analytical Essay #4 – Dred Scott and the Civil War.docx.pdfdocument.
Students should use these sources, along with secondary source information from the textbook (Shi), to support their major ideas, arguments, and conclusions. Primary source use is required for essay assignments.
Step Four: In a 3 page essay, address the following prompt:
Discuss how the debate concerning slavery led to the outbreak of Civil War. How did issues like the tariff, westward expansion, the legal status of slaves (Dred Scott Decision), abolitionism, violence in Kansas and Virginia, and even violence in Congress led to the Civil War? Based on your assessment of the events in the 1850s leading up to the Civil War and your analysis of the provided primary sources, do you believe the Civil War was inevitable? Why or why not? Provide and elaborate on at least three examples from the primary sources to defend your stance.
NOTE: Essay format is as follows: Full Name, Course Section – inserted into the top, left corner; Font – Times New Roman, 12 Point; Spacing – Double Spaced. Essays should be uploaded in either a .doc, .docx., or a .pdf file format.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OazGts1xC9w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0OW18pIo8c
https://learn.vccs.edu/courses/483754/files/123805404/download?wrap=1