Antebellum America: What Would You Do?

(Decision-Making and Critical Thinking Curricula)

Students tackle fascinating historical questions that put them in the shoes of a range of people from the past, from the rich and famous to ordinary citizens. Each lesson can be done either as an in-depth activity requiring up to two full class periods, or as a “quick motivator” requiring only 20–30 minutes. Detailed teacher pages give step-by-step instructions, list key vocabulary terms, offer troubleshooting tips, present ideas for post-activity discussions, and furnish lists of related sources. Reproducible student handouts clearly lay out the decision-making scenarios, provide "outcomes," and present related primary source readings and/or images with analysis questions. Decision-Making Book available for purchase on Social Studies School Service. Critical Thinking book forthcoming on Social Studies School Service. Free samples available below!

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Free Lessons

Lesson List: Decision Making in History: Jackson / Causes of the Civil War

  • LESSON 1 – Election 1828: Who will you support in the 1828 Election?

  • LESSON 2 – Reforms in the 1830s: Which antebellum reforms will you support?

  • LESSON 3 – Election 1840: Who will you support in the 1840 Election?

  • LESSON 4 – Poverty and Workers: Will you support reforms for poverty and workers?

  • LESSON 5 – Abolition: What strategies will you take as an abolitionist?

  • LESSON 6 – Mexican War: What position will you take with Mexico? Will you declare war or negotiate with the British over Oregon?

  • LESSON 7 – Compromise of 1850: What position will you take with regard to slavery in the new territories? SAMPLE LESSON

  • LESSON 8 – Kansas-Nebraska Act: Will you support the Kansas-Nebraska Act?

Lesson list: Critical Thinking in History: Antebellum America (written and coming soon)

  • LESSON 1: Skill: IDENTIFY PERSONAL BIAS

    • Historical Topic: Antebellum America in General

  • LESSON 2: Skill: IDENTIFY AND EVALUATE CONSPIRAY THEORIES Historical Topic: Antebellum America in General

  • LESSON 3: Skill: EVALUATE HISTORICAL SOURCES Historical Topic: Slavery, Democracy

  • LESSON 4: Skill: EVALUATE ONLINE SOURCES Historical Topic: Trail of Tears

  • LESSON 5: Skill: EVIDENCE FOR AND AGAINST A CAUSE Historical Topic: Westward Expansion

  • LESSON 6: Skill: EVIDENCE FOR AND AGAINST A CAUSE Historical Topic: Early Industrialization

  • LESSON 7: Skill: CONNECTION BETWEEN CAUSE AND EFFECT Historical Topic: Immigration

  • LESSON 8: Skill: CREATE AN INTERPRETATION Historical Topic: Mexican War

  • LESSON 9: Skill: EVALUATE ARGUMENTS Historical Topic: Antebellum Reforms

  • LESSON 10: Skill: EVALUATE INTERPRETATIONS Historical Topic: Slavery

Sample Lesson: Mexican Territory: Decision Making in History

Critical Thinking in History: Antebellum America Annotated Bibliography

Published Materials

Free Critical Thinking Lesson: Misinformation

Free Lesson! Conspiracy Theories (1830-1860)