The Emancipation Proclamation: Would You Do What Lincoln Did?

In 1808 Congress had abolished slave trade with other countries, yet the problem of slavery did not cease with a single law. The problem was that slavery itself had not been outlawed and was still practiced in the United States, particularly in the south. People began to not only speak out against slavery, but also to write about it. Elijah Lovejoy "hated slavery and had often spoken out against it" in his newspaper, the Alton Observer. Elijah was shot and killed by a mob, but he died for what he believed in. The Northern states, whose businesses primarily consisted of manufacturing, did not need slaves, but the South depended on them to plant and harvest crops. Indeed, some of their governors even owned slaves. By the 1840's a clash between the North and the South appeared inevitable as many of the "Northern states outlawed slavery." Abolitionists, "people who formed their own groups to stop slavery," became increasingly vocal. Southerners, angry at their stance, resorted to violence. When Abraham Lincoln was elected as president, emotions began to broil once again. States began to secede from the Union to form a "new country" called the Confederate States of America. The war was on! This book is a very clear, concise and invigorating history of the political winds that were blowing and continued to blow right up until Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This book has photographs, illustrations, a timeline, an index, "words to know" and additional recommended book and web site resources. At the end of each chapter is a "What Would You Do?" section that presents opposing viewpoints for classroom discussion and debate. This book is for grade levels 3-4. This is an excellent choice for homeschool use as well as the regular classroom. If you were Lincoln's advisor what would things be different today?

Elaine Landau's THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION: WOULD YOU DO WHAT LINCOLN DID? offers students in grades 3-4 an outstanding opportunity to not just read abut Lincoln's decisions, but involves students in the process. In a 'what would you choose' setting, kids are invited to review the politics and impact of the Emancipation Proclamation for themselves - and in the process to learn and understand more about its creation and ideas.