Instructions/ Summary:

After reading Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers, you will become a historian and investigate primary sources from the time of Abraham Lincoln.

Students will:

  1. Read the Summary page to learn background information.
  2. Read Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers.
  3. Visit the Documents page.
  4. Examine each primary source.
  5. Complete an Analysis Worksheet for each source.
  6. Use evidence from several sources to answer the essential question.
  7. Complete the final historical response.
  8. Use the Rubric to check your work.

Summary 

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln became the 16th president of the United States in 1861. During his presidency, the United States entered the Civil War. The war divided the country and affected millions of people.

Lincoln's presidency also included major changes involving slavery. In 1863, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared enslaved people in areas rebelling against the United States to be free.

Different Perspectives

Not everyone viewed Lincoln in the same way.

  • Some people supported Lincoln and his ideas.
  • Some people disagreed with his political decisions.
  • Soldiers experienced the war differently from people at home.
  • Children experienced the time period differently from adults.
  • Newspapers and political cartoons could present different opinions about Lincoln.

Connection to the Book

In Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers, Grace Bedell writes to Abraham Lincoln and suggests that he grow a beard. This gives us a small glimpse into how one young person viewed Lincoln.

Now you will investigate other primary sources to see what they can teach us about Lincoln and the Civil War.

Time to get Started

Click below to bring you to the 12 different primary sources you will be investigating to answer out essential question:  How did different people experience and view Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War during the 1860s?