Download MISSOURI COMPROMISE SIMULATION With the Louisiana

MISSOURI COMPROMISE SIMULATION
With the Louisiana Purchase the United States doubled in size and obtained a
vast expanse of land from which many valuable natural resources could be exploited.
But as the US set out to expand its “Empire of Liberty” and spread American civilization,
it encountered a divisive issue that would eventually erupt into the Civil War. The issue,
of course, was the expansion of slavery and the ramifications it had upon political power
in Congress. As settlers from both the North and South poured into the American West,
congressmen grappled with the issue of how many “slave” and “free” states should be in
the Union. If a compromise effecting a balance of slave and free states was not reached,
the Union would certainly have perished under the demise of sectionalism.
Your assignment will culminate in a simulation of the Missouri statehood crisis
in Congress during 1820. As participants in the Missouri Compromise simulation, each
student will:
1) Research the historical period of 1815-1833 with respect to the westward expansion of
the U.S.
2) Research the role to which he/she is assigned.
3) As an exercise in historical imagination, each student will write an essay of
approximately two pages discussing the historical significance of the “Missouri
Controversy” from the point of view of your assigned character. In other words, you will
employ the writing technique used by Stephen B. Oates in The Approaching Fury.
4) Actively involve himself/herself in the simulation.
By so doing, students will gain experience with exercising their historical imaginations in
addition to studying the critical events that eventually resulted in the bloodiest conflict in
American history, the Civil War (1861-1865).
Once again, this assignment is an exercise in historical imagination, which
requires your diligent effort, critical thinking skills, and serious participation. The
simulation will count as a project grade. So, rise to the occasion. However, do not go
into cardiac arrest over it. It is my experience that this type of assignment makes learning
fun and gives students a better understanding of the era they are studying. Besides,
everyone can act! In other words, do not stress out too much. Have fun with it.
Remember, this is a supportive learning community. You have absolutely nothing to fear
as long as you put forth your best effort. Simply remember that the focus is on learning
history and enjoying it in the process. Capture the historical moment!