Activity Title: Abraham Lincoln’s Position on Slavery

Grade Level: 6-8th

Activity Overview:
Part of Lincoln’s legacy is the president who ended slavery and the writer of the famous document the Emancipation Proclamation This activity will engage us in the analysis of Lincoln’s writings and official documents in order to develop an opinion on Lincoln’s intention to abolish slavery throughout the nation. At activity conclusion, take a position which can be defended using Lincoln primary source documents.

Documents:
Exhibition Draft of the Emancipation Proclamation, Defends the Emancipation Proclamation, Final Version of the Emancipation Proclamation, Fragment of Lincoln Speech to Kentuckians

Goal of the Activity:
The goal is to analyze documents displayed at the Lincoln Exhibition.

Learning Objectives:
Closely read and analyze Lincoln’s writings to extract his clear intention for freeing the slaves
Establish a position on Lincoln that can be defended with his own writings.

Investigative Questions:
Where in Lincoln’s writings (including his letters) and proclamations does his express his views on slavery?
Was Abraham Lincoln an abolitionist?

Primary Sources Learning Practices:
Analyze and extract evidence from the documents in Lincoln’s hand on display at the Exhibition using Document Analysis Worksheet
Analyze other evidence of writings that would support or contradict Lincoln as a true abolitionist and freer of slaves.

Assessment:
Students engage in a Socratic discussion defending positions on Lincoln’s stance as an abolitionist