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Causes of the Civil War: Focus on States' Rights

History
Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
7 questions
~14 mins
1 views0 downloads

About This Worksheet

This worksheet explores the role of states' rights in causing the American Civil War through reading comprehension activities. Students will analyze primary source excerpts and historian views to understand this complex cause.

Topics covered:

#History
#History
#Causes of Civil War
#Standard
#Reading Comprehension
#States' Rights
#Explain the importance of states' rights in the causes of the Civil War
#Compare different perspectives on states' rights between the North and South
#Analyse how the issue of states' rights contributed to secession

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Causes of the Civil War: Focus on States' Rights

Subject: HistoryGrade: Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
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Untitled Worksheet

Grade Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
A

Introduction to States' Rights and the Civil War

Source A: Excerpt from a Southern politician

'States have the right to govern themselves without interference from the federal government. The federal government should not dictate how states handle slavery or other local issues.' Provenance: Speech by Senator John Doe, 1858.

1.
Explain how Source A supports the idea that states believed in the importance of states' rights. (3 marks)
[3 marks]
2.
Compare the views on states' rights presented in Source A with those of Northern perspectives discussed in class. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
B

Historical Source Analysis

Source B: Excerpt from a Northern abolitionist

'The rights of states to decide on slavery threaten the unity of our nation and undermine justice.' Provenance: Speech by Jane Smith, 1860.

1.
Outline the main argument of Source B regarding states' rights. (2 marks)
[2 marks]
2.
Analyse how Source B reflects Northern fears about states' rights. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
C

Impact of States' Rights on Secession

Historian View:

'The doctrine of states' rights was central to the Southern states' decision to secede from the Union, as they believed they had the right to leave if the federal government overstepped its constitutional powers.' Provenance: Historian Dr. Emily Carter, 2005.

1.
Explain the role of states' rights in the Southern states' decision to secede. (3 marks)
[3 marks]
2.
Compare the views in the historian's quote with the perspective of the Northern Unionists. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
D

Summary and Reflection

Reflect on how the issue of states' rights contributed to the Civil War. Use evidence from the sources and your own knowledge to support your ideas.

1.
Write a paragraph explaining how states' rights influenced the outbreak of the Civil War. (5 marks)
[5 marks]

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Details

Created
1/1/2026
Updated
1/1/2026
Type
worksheet
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