US 1815-1860
Antebellum America 1815-1860
The assessments below focus upon people and events during Antebellum America, 1815-1860. These sources often stress the expansion and growth of the United States during the first half of the nineteenth century, along with growing political and social regional divides. Many of these sources especially address slavery within the U.S. Other topics include the Jacksonian era, the Texas Revolution, Indian Removal, the Gold Rush, and the coming of the Civil War.
Standard 1 Assessments (Cite Evidence)
Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
A Letter from a Gold Miner, 1850
President Jackson’s Speech to Congress, 1830
Standard 2 Assessments (Determine Central Idea)
Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
Standard 3 Assessments (Analyze Steps or Series of Details)
Identify key steps in a text's description of a process related to history/social studies (e.g., how a bill becomes law, how interest rates are raised or lowered).
Standard 4 Assessments (Determine Word or Phrase Meaning)
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary specific to domains related to history/social studies.
Standard 5 Assessments (Analyze Structure)
Describe how a text presents information (e.g., sequentially, comparatively, causally).
Standard 6 Assessments (Analyze Point of View)
Identify aspects of a text that reveal an author's point of view or purpose (e.g., loaded language, inclusion or avoidance of particular facts).
Old John Brown- "A Song for Every Southern Man" (Song), 1859
Fugitive Slaves and North Star (Poems), 1843
Standard 7 Assessments (Integrate Information from Diverse Formats)
Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.
Coming soon
Standard 8 Assessments (Evaluate or Compare Claims)
Distinguish among fact, opinion, and reasoned judgment in a text.
Standard 9 Assessments (Compare and Contrast Sources)
Analyze the relationship between a primary and secondary source on the same topic.
Coming soon
Disclaimer:
Southern Illinois University has been a proud member of the Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) program. Content created and featured in partnership with the TPS program and other collaborators listed here does not indicate an endorsement of the Library of Congress, the National Science Foundation, or any other agency.