Question

Before You Begin

Choose one of the Civil War topics listed below. Using the library and the Internet, find one research source about the topic. Your source should be at least five hundred words in length, or, if you select a print source, at least four to five pages.

Choose one topic:

a major Civil War battle
Civil War munitions and uniforms
the Emancipation Proclamation
the Gettysburg Address
After you find your source, you should meet with your teacher to get it approved before moving on to the next step.

Good readers rely on a set of skills to help them understand a text. You can use these strategies as you read the research source about the Civil War.

If possible, print a version of the text that you can write on. It is helpful to highlight key points and make notes in the margins. This strategy is called annotating.
When you find words or phrases that you do not know, do not skip over them. There is a series of steps you can take to understand the meaning of these words and phrases, so that you do not miss out on key ideas.
Context clues: Look at the words before and after the unknown word or phrase. Using the surrounding text, or context, can you find any clues to the meaning of the unknown word?
Using a dictionary: To find the specific meaning of a word, including helpful information like part of speech, word origin, and multiple meanings, you can use a dictionary. There are both print and online dictionaries available.
Using an encyclopedia: Some words or phrases may have an important historical or contextual meaning behind them, especially in a social studies or history text. In this case, an encyclopedia is an excellent resource. For example, you would not want to simply use a dictionary to look up George Washington; in fact, an encyclopedia would provide you with a clearer meaning.
After annotating the text, go back and read the text one more time. You might notice new details that you missed the first time.
After you have finished reading the text a second time and have defined any unknown words, jot down some notes about the key points or ideas. It can be helpful to write a quick summary of the source in order to prepare you for your next step: writing a report.
Directions
Choose one Civil War topic from the list below. Research your topic using the library and the Internet. Then, write a report of at least four hundred words.

a major Civil War battle
Civil War munitions and uniforms
the Emancipation Proclamation
the Gettysburg Address
Make sure you correctly cite your research source or sources in your writing.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Topic: The Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation was one of the most significant documents in American history. Issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, during the American Civil War, the proclamation declared that "all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free." It is a document that symbolizes the end of slavery in the United States and is considered one of the most important achievements of President Lincoln.

The Emancipation Proclamation was a turning point in the Civil War, and its effects were felt beyond the battlefield. It was a document that provided hope to the enslaved and encouragement to the Union troops fighting in the war. The proclamation also played a significant role in the Union's ability to win the war by providing a moral justification for the fight against the Confederacy.

The Emancipation Proclamation was not an easy decision for President Lincoln. He understood the potential political risks associated with issuing such a document, including losing support from Northern Democrats who opposed the abolition of slavery. However, Lincoln believed that it was necessary to issue the proclamation to end the institution of slavery and preserve the Union.

The Emancipation Proclamation did not end slavery immediately. It only applied to the states that had seceded from the Union, which did not include the border states of Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, and Missouri, where slavery was still legal. It was also not until the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified on December 6, 1865, that slavery was officially abolished throughout the United States.

Despite its limitations, the Emancipation Proclamation was a significant step towards ending slavery in the United States. It paved the way for the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution, which granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to all people born or naturalized in the United States, regardless of race, and prohibited discrimination based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

In conclusion, the Emancipation Proclamation was a historic document that helped end slavery in the United States. It was a symbol of hope for enslaved people and provided moral justification for the Union's fight against the Confederacy during the Civil War. Although it did not end slavery immediately and had its limitations, the Emancipation Proclamation was an important step towards achieving equality and justice for all Americans.