To Secede, or Not to Secede? That’s a Tricky Question!
Posted by Ariel WarshawEighth grade Humanities students have been learning about the Antebellum Period in American history, focusing on the rising tension between abolitionists and supporters of slavery. They’ve explored the causes and effects of the end of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, Missouri Compromise, Compromise of 1850, Kansas-Nebraska Act, Dred Scott v. Sanford Supreme Court decision, and John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry.
All of this polarization led to the powder-keg known as the Election of 1860. Why did southerners believe that they could secede from the Union? Why did Lincoln believe they could not? After analyzing the words of Stephen Douglas, Abraham Lincoln, Chief Justice Roger Taney, and others, eighth graders engaged in numerous discussions around whether the Constitution, and the nation itself, were perpetual agreements – or simply contracts that signees could break or secede from when they saw fit.
In order to get them thinking about when it might be justified to break an agreement, the students participated in a “barometer” activity. Initially, eighth graders discussed 4 different scenarios with a partner and considered different circumstances that might make them back out of an agreement. Then, the whole class got up and moving! Against one wall were 5 signs: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neutral, Disagree, and Strongly Disagree. As we thought about each scenario, and various changes that could impact the original circumstances, the students moved along the “barometer” to stand under the sign that most closely represented their beliefs. Volunteers passionately argued their perspectives and rationales for why it was or wasn’t okay for them to leave, or secede from, an agreement.
For example: “You voluntarily joined your school’s track team and have been training to be part of the relay team. The state championship is a week away. Would you be justified in quitting if: You got bored by training? What about if you develop a mild injury that your doctor says might become major if you continue to train? What if you found out that two members of your team have been using performance enhancing drugs?”
These scenarios helped us think about when and if people (or states!) can ever be justified in breaking a compact. These impassioned conversations will set us up for the literally explosive history of the US Civil War in the weeks to come!
← Peace Corp Presentation Chinese Brush Painting →