Summary: Students will consider and explain why many New Jerseyans did not support President Lincoln in the 1860 and 1864 presidential elections, identify how New Jersey supported the Union in the Civil War, explain the views of “Copperheads” and the Copperhead press, and analyze the arguments made by the New Jersey press in the 1864 presidential election and take a position about their strength.
Overarching Questions:
- CIVICS: Have individuals and groups influenced public policy during this time period? If so, how and what has been the impact?
- NEW JERSEY: How have changes in New Jersey during this time period influenced U.S. history?
NJ Student Learning Standards for Social Studies:
- 6.1.12.HistoryCA.3.a: Use evidence to demonstrate how states' rights (i.e., Nullification) and sectional interests influence party politics and shape national policies (i.e., the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850).
- 6.1.12.CivicsPR.4.a: Draw from multiple sources to explain the ways in which prevailing attitudes, socioeconomic factors, and government actions (i.e., the Fugitive Slave Act and Dred Scott Decision) in the North and South (i.e., Secession) led to the Civil War.
Link to Lesson: New Jersey and the Civil War