Historical Context: In 1800s, the North and South were divided on social, political, and economic issues. By 1861, a civil war broke out. There were many factors that resulted in the Civil War. This war had both short and long term effects. Historians debate whether or not the Civil War was justified. TASK: Discuss 3 causes of the Civil War. Explain 1 short term and 1 long term effect of the war. Evaluate whether or not the war was justified (necessary).

What is good about this paragraph? How can we improve it? Three causes of the Civil War were abolitionist movements, Kansas-Nebraska Act, and the Election of 1860. According to Document #1, abolitionists wanted to show the true character and effects of slavery. According to Document #2, the Kansas-Nebraska caused tensions between the North and South because people were able to vote on if they wanted slavery or not. According to Document #3, Abraham Lincoln won the election of 1860.

Improved paragraph: Three causes of the Civil War were abolitionist movements, Kansas-Nebraska Act, and the Election of 1860. According to Document #1, abolitionists wanted to show the true character and effects of slavery. One way this was shown was through the novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. This novel wrote about the evils of slavery and how slavery was cruel and unjust. This upset many slave-owning southerners. According to Document #2, the Kansas-Nebraska caused tensions between the North and South because people were able to vote on if they wanted slavery or not. This is called popular sovereignty. This upset northerners because they believed in the Missouri Compromise, which stated any territory above the 36 parallel line could not have slaves. Southerners supported this Act because people could choose to have slavery in these territories. As a result, fighting erupted. This was known as Bleeding Kansas. According to Document #3, Abraham Lincoln won the election of 1860. Southerners were not happy that Lincoln became president. He started the Republican Party and wanted to limit slavery in the West. Southerners felt that he would get rid of slavery and did not trust him. The Battle at Fort Sumter officially began to Civil War. Southern states seceded from the Union.

What is good about this paragraph? How can we improve it? There were both short and long term effects of the Civil War. One short term effect was segregation. After the war, blacks and whites were separated. According to Document #5, “separate is equal”. A long term effect were the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.

Improved Paragraph: There were both short and long term effects of the Civil War. One short term effect was segregation. After the war, blacks and whites were separated. Jim Crow Laws discriminated against African Americans. Blacks had to ride in separate cars, different schools, even drink at different water fountains. According to Document #5, Plessy, a black man sat in a white rail car. He was arrested for breaking the law and Supreme Court ruled that “separate is equal”. This longer exists in the United States today. A long term effect were the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. These Amendments still exist. Slavery is not allowed, blacks have full citizenship, and are allowed to vote. No longer do we have poll taxes or literacy tests that limit blacks the right to vote.

You break up with your boyfriend/girlfriend You break up with your boyfriend/girlfriend. They ask you why you don’t want to be with them anymore and want reasons. What reasons do you have to JUSTIFY breaking up with them?