LIVING HISTORY: The Lincoln Assassination Theory

Throughout history major events have produced giants as well as villains. Average men and women rose to become heroes or scoundrels. The American Civil War was one such episode. It was a tumultuous time. The country was divided. Brother fought against brother and the south fought the north. Between 618,000 and 700,000 Americans died in the Civil War. President Lincoln (the Civil War president) was beloved by many. Lincoln became known as the great emancipator and the man who saved the Union. However, he was not admired by all. In fact, Lincoln was assassinated because of his political stance in the Civil War. John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer, shot Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865. Questions arose after the shooting. Was Booth solely responsible for the assassination or was he a pawn in a much larger conspiracy? Just who may or may not have been involved with Booth has been the subject of speculation among historians and others for over 140 years. Your quest is to find out what really happened.

This WebQuest has two components. First, the class will be divided into two groups. Each group will use their best skills to research and report on the life and times of Abraham Lincoln or John Wilkes Booth. Each group will write a research page and do a class presentation on their subject.

In addition, you will assume the role of as a historian, a news crew, or a person from the Civil War era. The students will be divided into small groups and each team will take on one of the above roles. Each team will select one conspiracy theory about the Lincoln assassination. Your team will research the selected theory and do an oral class presentation. Your goal is to effectively state your case and to convince the audience that your theory is the one correct theory!

Good Luck On Your Quest!!