challenges throughout his presidency his goals remained steadfast and his convictions firm, as is clearly
evidenced by his speeches.
Description:
● Part 1: Cooperative Learning
o Students will work in small groups to analyze one five significant speeches/addresses given by
Abraham Lincoln in relation to the Civil War era and ultimately conclude how his goals/values
evolved through the war based on the tones of the speeches.
● Part 2: Individual Assignment
o Students will write a 500-word paragraph as if they are Lincoln giving his final speech. Be prepared
to present this next class period.
The purpose of this lesson is for the students to realize that though Lincoln was faced with numerous
challenges throughout his presidency his goals remained steadfast and his convictions firm, as is clearly
evidenced by his speeches.
Kansas HGSS Standards (2020)
Standard 4: Societies experience continuity and change over time
First Inaugural Address – March 4, 1861
o https://millercenter.org/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/march-4-1861-first-inaugural-address
● Message to Congress in Special Session – July 4, 1861
o https://millercenter.org/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/july-4-1861-july-4th-message-congress
● Emancipation Proclamation – January 1, 1863
o https://millercenter.org/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/january-1-1863-emancipation-proclamation
● Gettysburg Address – November 19, 1863
o https://millercenter.org/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/november-19-1863-gettysburg-address
● Second Inaugural Address – March 4, 1865
o https://millercenter.org/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/march-4-1865-second-inaugural-address
TTW:
o Put students into small groups (3 to 4 students).
o Assign each group one of the following speeches.
▪ First Inaugural Address – March 4, 1861
▪ Message to Congress in Special Session – July 4, 1861
▪ Emancipation Proclamation – January 1, 1863
▪ Gettysburg Address – November 19, 1863
▪ Second Inaugural Address – March 4, 1865
● TSW:
o Spend approximately 10 to 15 minutes independently reading the assigned speech, highlighting key
phrases, and making notes on important information.
o Spend approximately 10 minutes debriefing the speech with group-mates.
o Discuss and determine the major theme expressed by Lincoln in that speech using one word or a
short phrase. Describe the tone (or mood) of the speech. And provide evidence (a quote) from that
speech to support your response.
o Fill in Step 1 on the worksheet.
● TTW:
o Bring the class back together for a whole class discussion.
o Facilitate Step 2 on the worksheet.
o Debrief the following questions and give the students time to complete their worksheet:
▪ Based on the themes of the speeches, was there a change in Lincoln’s goals and values
throughout his presidency and the war?
▪ Was there a change in Lincoln’s tone throughout his presidency and the war?
▪ What does this tell us about Abraham Lincoln?
● TSW:
o Use the information from Part 1 to complete Part 2:
▪ In 1865, shortly after his second inauguration, Lincoln was assassinated. Sadly, he did not
live to see how the country resolved its differences.
▪ Predict ~ If Lincoln had lived until the end of his second term, what might he have included
in his farewell address to the nation. Consider the goals he established throughout his
presidency and the values expressed by the themes of his speeches. Did Lincoln
accomplish those goals? How might Lincoln have viewed himself and his “accomplishments”
as president? What advice might Lincoln have offered to his successor?
▪ In the space below, write a 500-word paragraph as if you are Lincoln giving his final speech.
Be prepared to present this next class period.