Virginia: Old Dominion Virginia was culturally similar to the lower South. However, it was economically closer to the North. Differences existed in agricultural production, manufacturing, and population of slaves. All of this influenced the debates over whether or not to secede from the Union.

Virginia: Old Dominion Virginia had a hard time deciding if it would secede or stay in the Union. It took all the way until the first shots of the war were fired at Ft. Sumter for Virginia to decide to join the Confederacy. Even then, half of the state split off and formed West Virginia in order to stay in the Union

Should Old Dominion Leave the Union? Unit 1 Final Project Should Old Dominion Leave the Union?

Final Project This final project will count as the “test” for the unit “Road to War” You will be working in your groups and with your classmates to complete this project

TAKE A DEEP BREATH! There’s no need to sweat it! We will do this in 3 parts. We will only do 1 part at a time. Let’s take a look at the WHOLE project.

Final Project The Virginia Legislature as a whole must make a recommendation to the public. Your class will take on the role of the Virginia legislature as it decides whether or not to stay in the Union.

Legislative Agenda Part 1: The class will break into working committees. Each committee will be tasked with investigating strengths and weaknesses of the North and South.

Legislative Agenda Part 1 (continued): Each committee will submit a report of its findings along with a recommendation on whether or not to leave the Union to Mr. Kelly. Then, each Committee prepare for the class to consider its recommendations

Topics of Research Economic Balance Military Balance Balances between the North and South Economic Balance Military Balance Diplomatic Balance Constitutional Balance

Legislative Agenda Part 1 (continued): Each committee will submit a report of its findings along with a recommendation on whether or not to leave the Union to Mr. Kelly. Then, each Committee prepare for the class to consider its recommendations

Due: Next Tues Name: Mr. Kelly Committee: Silly Sasquatches Dear Mr. Kelly, Introduction Name of your committee Topic of you are studying Paragraph 1 Strengths of the North in this area Weaknesses of the North in this area Together, what do these things tell you about the North? Paragraph 2 Strengths of the South in this area Weaknesses of the South in this area Together, what do these things tell you about the South? Conclusion/Recommendation What your committee recommends: Leave/Stay in? What I recommend: Leave/Stay in? Sincerely, Mr. Kelly

Due: Next Tues Name: Mr. Kelly Committee: Silly Sasquatches Dear Mr. Kelly, My name is Mr. Kelly. I am a part of the Silly Sasquatches Committee. We had the responsibility of studying the topic of the military balance between the North and the South during the war. Our committee found several advantages for the North. First, they have bigger guns. They also have more horses and more troops to commit to the fight. However, their horses are smaller and their troops have no training or experience. Even though the North has bigger guns, they have less guns than the South. Together, all of these things tell me that the deciding factor is that the North has more horses and more troops. It can train these troops and horses and beat the South. Our committee also found several advantages for the South. The South has way more guns than the North and bigger horses, too. It’s troops are also more experienced and better trained. However, there are also some disadvantages. The South’s guns are smaller, there are fewer horses, and less troops. Taking this all together, what’s the point in having more guns, when you have less troops, and less horses? The North can always catch up in training both of these. In conclusion, my committee recommends that Virginia stay in the Union, and not fight a losing battle. However, I disagree. I think Virginia should defend its honor, even if it has an uphill battle. Sincerely, Mr. Kelly

Mr. Kelly will give you more detail instructions about written report later…

Legislative Agenda Part 2: Each committee will make a display which briefly summarizes the Strengths & Weaknesses of the North and South for their topic of research. It will also make a recommendation whether or not Virginia should leave the Union

North vs. South Topic: Military Balance Committee: Silly Sasquatches North vs. South Topic: Military Balance North South Strength Weakness Bigger Guns Less Guns More Horses Smaller Horses More troops Not trained Strength Weakness More Guns Smaller Guns Bigger Horses Less Horses Very well-trained Less troops Due: Fri Analysis: Even though the North has bigger guns, it has fewer. The deciding factor is that it has more horses and more troops. It can train these troops and horses and beat the South. Analysis: What’s the point in having more guns, when you have less troops, and less horses? The North can always catch up in training. Recommendation: Stay in the Union. We are out-manned and out-horsed!

Legislative Agenda Part 3: Each committee will have a chance to view the posters from the other committees in the class (We’ll put them on the wall). Your committee must come up with one question for at least 3 other groups.

Questions for Other Groups Committee: Silly Sasquatches Questions for Other Groups Group/Question Group/Question Economic Balance #1 Why does more money matter? Economic Balance #2 Military Balance #1 Did you consider that better trained troops can shoot untrained troops before they get experience? Military Balance #2 Diplomatic Balance #1 Diplomatic Balance #2 If the South had more people in Congress then why should they even leave? Constitutional Balance #1

Legislative Agenda Part 3 (continued): Each committee present it’s poster to the class and make its recommendation. If your group came up with a question for the group presenting, you will have a chance to ask it after the group presents.

Legislative Agenda Part 3: After every committee has presented and all questions are asked… Mr. Kelly will ask a few questions over the topic of leaving the Union. The floor will be open for class discussion.

Legislative Agenda Part 3: Then it will be put to a class-wide vote. Based on the evidence and recommendations presented, do you think Virginia should stay in the Union or leave it?

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