THEMATIC ESSAY
This thematic essay adheres to New York State Learning Standard 5- Civics, Citizenship, and Government, Intermediate Level, Key Idea #2. Additionally, this assignment corresponds with the National Social Studies Curriculum Standards thematic strand of power, authority, and governance.
This thematic essay is designed as an in class assignment to assess student learning when your study of the Civil War is complete. Teachers should display Civil War images for students to reference during their writing. Specifically, point out images that illustrate the increased size of the army, military technology, and military propaganda.
DIRECTIONS
Utilizing the Civil War images, their original captions as reference, and your knowledge of United States history complete the following task.
THEME
CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES- Not all Americans supported President Lincoln. Besides the secessionist Southerners, many Northerners felt that President Lincoln overstretched the rights of the Executive Branch.
TASK
Identify three Executive actions under Lincoln's authority that stretched the powers of the office. Using specific examples, discuss how Lincoln's actions redefined Federalism. Examples may include, but are not limited to; increased size of the Army without Congressional authorization, unauthorized $2,000,000 for military purposes, arrest and jail of anti-Unionists, censorship, and use of military courts for Confederates.
GUIDELINES