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Civil War Newspaper Article Writing: Starting Points
The Civil War is an opportunity for writing newspaper articles. Differentiate the task by choosing from alternative starting points, below.
There are three documents with supporting information for each of these articles, also in the TES iboard+ teaching pack.
An ‘election day’ report: ‘Honest Abe’ Lincoln elected in contentious victory!
It is Wednesday, November 7, 1860. Your editor has sent you to cover the results of yesterday’s Presidential Election. For the last few years, America has
become increasingly divided over the issue of slavery. The Southern states, which rely on slave labor to work large farms and plantations, believe that their
economy depends on the institution of slavery. The Northern states believe that slavery should be abolished and that America should fall in line with many
European countries that had already outlawed the practice. The Republican Party’s candidate is Abraham Lincoln who is pro-abolition. The Democrats are split:
the Southern Democrats supported the pro-slavery John Breckinridge while the Northern Democrats supported Stephen Douglas, who took a more moderate
stance, believing that each state should make their own choice. After a period of bitter campaigning, the election was held and the results are just out.
Lincoln has won 38.9% of the popular vote, and gained 180 of the Electoral College seats, giving him the presidency. Democrats are quarreling fiercely, saying
that if their party had not split into Northern and Southern factions, Lincoln would not have won. The Southern states are outraged: Lincoln has received no votes
in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee or Texas. In South Carolina, where there is no ballot and the electors
are chosen by the state, all three Electoral College votes have gone to Breckinridge. For the first time in America’s history, the president has been chosen with no
popular support in the South. Already there is talk of breaking up the Union, with southern states wanting their own government: South Carolina is particularly
vehement about wanting to leave.
A ‘breaking news’ report: Beauregard fires on Fort Sumter!
Abraham Lincoln’s election has proved to be the deal-breaker for many of the Southern states. South Carolina seceded from the Union on December 20th, 1860,
giving the reason that the Northern States were no longer keeping the agreements about sending escaping slaves back to the South. They are insulted by the use
of slaves being “denounced as sinful”. By the end of February 1861, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas, have also seceded. Both North
and South are gearing up for war.
The political situation is extremely tense, the worst it has been in the history of America since independence. Then, suddenly, on April 12th 1861, your editor hears
that General Beauregard, the Southern general, has fired on Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor. You know that Fort Sumter is held by a company of Northern
soldiers, under Major Robert Anderson. Anderson has been besieged in Sumter for three months now, unable to get supplies or ammunition. Beauregard had
called on Anderson to surrender the fort, and when Anderson refused, Beauregard took the decision to fire on the fort, before it could be re-supplied with
provisions. You have been asked to report on the reasons for Beauregard’s actions.
A reflective article about the war at the time of the Gettysburg Address: Lincoln at Gettysburg: the speech of the century!
It is Thursday, November 19, 1863. You are attending the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Four and a half months ago,
the Union army (North) defeated the Confederate army (South) at the Battle of Gettysburg. You are here to report on the speech made by the Honorable Edward
Everett as he dedicates the cemetery. You have listened for two hours, getting increasingly hungry, thirsty, and cold. Finally Everett finishes his oration, and
turning to the President, asks him to say a few words. As you hear Lincoln’s words, you realize that he is making what will possibly be the most important speech
of the Civil War so far. Without consulting your editor, you decide to make Lincoln’s speech the main part of your report!