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The Civil War era (1844-1877) | US history | Khan Academy

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A house divided against itself cannot stand. The United States could no longer remain half-slave and half-free, and the ensuing war over the fate of slavery ripped apart the nation.

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What was life like during the Civil War?

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What was life like during the Civil War?

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These books, fiction and non-fiction, have been suggested by educators and others as appropriate for children K-12 who want to learn about the Civil War era. Please let us know of any other titles that should be added to this list.

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During the Civil War, food shortages were common and soldiers needed to be able to carry food for days. Consequently, the food they ate was meant to keep people alive, with a rare delight mixed in here and there.

It was a time when food was scarce and the recipes were simply about feeding people enough to keep them going. Your typical soldier was given a daily ration of meat, bread, and coffee. There was no possibility of refrigeration, so food needed to be transportable and couldn't spoil easily. If supply lines were cut, soldiers would scavenge or steal what they needed to survive. The recipes they used were simple and solely based on what they would have on hand. Here are a few examples of recipes used during the Civil War, along with instructions to recreate these pieces of culinary history on your own.
(Note: some of the recipes have been altered to include modern ingredients.)

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During the Civil War, food shortages were common and soldiers needed to be able to carry food for days. Consequently, the food they ate was meant to keep people alive, with a rare delight mixed in here and there. It was a time when food was scarce and the recipes were simply about feeding people enough to keep them going.

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Slave Life during the Civil War, Emancipation of Enslaved African Americans, African American Identity: Vol. I, 1500-1865, Primary Resources in U.S. History and Literature, Toolbox Library, National Humanities Center

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Primary resources--historical documents, literary texts, and works of art--thematically organized with notes and discussion questions.

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Diary of Catherine Ann Devereux Edmondston, February 18th, 1861 · Civil War Era NC

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Catherine Ann Devereux Edmondston (pictured) recorded in her diary her various emotional, social, and personal experiences, throughout the Civil War, that ultimately exposed the dominant attitude and perspective of a southern woman. Her diction, rhetoric, and elocution, throughout her diary, implies the fundamental values and expectations of the ideal Southern woman during the course of the Civil War.

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Lesson Plan

Using a student created vodcast in your classroom

Vodcast Titles: "Life on the Home Front, 1861"

"Antietam Home Front"

"Those Who Came to the Fields"

"Civil War in Williamsport"

Introduction

The Civil War affected life on the home front as well as the battlefield. Families throughout the North and South faced shortages of supplies, had their farms and homes destroyed, or in some cases confiscated to be used for the war effort. Roles of women and children were significantly changed. For the first time many women took control of plantations or homesteads, acted as nurses on and off the battlefield, and even fought in combat. Families were torn apart as loved ones were sent off to fight.

Vodcast Description

Students from various middle schools interpret the history of life on the home front in various locations during the Civil War ©2009-2012 Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership.

Guiding Questions

What hardships were experienced during the Civil War?

How did the Civil War change the lives of soldiers, women, and families?

Learning Objectives

This video is compatible with

Virginia SOL USI.9f - describing the effects of war from the perspectives of Union and Confederate soldiers (including African American soldiers), women, and enslaved African Americans.

At the end of this lesson plan students will be able to

Understand various perspectives

Describe what life was like for those affected by the Civil War

Analyze primary sources

Preparation Instructions

Teachers will need (Documents available to DOWNLOAD HERE)

Lesson Activities

Activity 1

Pretest/Warm up

Students will be formatively assessed on their knowledge of who is affected by war

Teacher will show Primary Source: The Drummer Boy of Our Regiment. Ask students to respond to the following questions to prompt discussion:

What do you see?

What do you know?

What do you want to know?

What does this show us about who is affected by war?

How are they affected?

Activity 2

Vodcast Viewing: Tour of the Home Front

"Life on the Home Front, 1861"

"Antietam Home Front"

"Those Who Came to the Fields"

"Civil War in Williamsport"

Students will watch four vodcasts about life on the home front during the Civil War. These vodcasts are an interpretation by students of primary source documents. Students will gather information from the videos on the Tour of the Home Front Worksheet to complete the summative assessment at the end of the lesson.

Step 1: Create four viewing stations around the classroom, one for each of the vodcasts

Step 2: Break students into four groups

Step 3: Have students visit each station to complete the worksheet

Step 4: When students have seen all four vodcasts, discuss their findings

Activity 3

Summative Assessment: Letter writing

Students will be assessed on their understanding of how people were affected on the home front by writing a letter from the perspective of someone who lived it. Using the evidence they gathered in the vodcast viewing, ask students to choose an example that they identified with or were particularly affected by. Then instruct students to write a letter in character to an acquaintance or other distant family member explaining what life was like. They will need to include answers to the Guiding Questions:

What hardships were experienced during the Civil War?

How did the Civil War change the lives of soldiers, women, and families?

Extending the Lesson

The Journey Through Hallowed Ground program, "Of the Student, By the Student, For the Student" offers more student created content on the Civil War through YouTube at "Take the Journey."
http://www.youtube.com/user/TakeTheJourney/videos?view=1
Extended content includes student created vodcasts for:

Battle of First Manassas

2nd Manassas

Balls Bluff

Harpers Ferry

Antietam

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

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Using a student created vodcast in your classroom Vodcast Titles: "Life on the Home Front, 1861" "Antietam Home Front" "Those Who Came to the Fields" "Civil War in Williamsport" Introduction The Civil War affected life on the home front as well as the battlefield.

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Causes of the Civil War: List and Summary ***

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Facts about the Causes of the Civil War for kids. List and summary of the Causes of the Civil War. Information about the Causes of the Civil War for kids, children, homework and schools.

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Select Audiovisual Records at the National Archives Engineers of the 8th New York State Militia in front of a tent, 1861. Ill-B-499. National Archives Identifier: 524918

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Journal Entry: What do you think life would have been like for a North Carolina farmer's family while he was away at war?

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Journal Entry: What do you think life would have been like for a North Carolina farmer's family while he was away at war?