Exploring the Changing Legacies of General Grant and General Lee 

A WebQuest for 11th Grade (American History)

Designed by

Adam J. Carozza

mailto:acarozza@tampabay.rr.com

 


Clipart courtesy FCIT, http://etc.usf.edu/clipart

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page


Introduction

In this lesson, you will compare and contrast the personal traits, leadership skills, life experiences and legacies of Generals Grant and Lee and examine how interpretations of the two generals have changed over time by reading about a Civil War exhibit, viewing slideshows, analyzing a painting, and completing a Venn diagram.

What influence has art had on how these two Generals have been remembered by history?


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The Task 

After viewing, gathering, discussing and processing information, you should be able to answer the question:  

Do you think an artistic work can be a persuasive tool in shaping people’s opinions about people, issues or events? Why or why not? 

You will create a persuasive argument defending your position to be shared with the class. 
You will be using the Web to gather all information needed. 


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The Process 

1.    First you will view the painting “Let Us Have Peace, 1865,” found online http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/10/17/arts/1017-HIST_4.html 

2.    Make some notes for class discussion: What do you think is happening in this painting?
How do you think the artist is depicting each of the two primary subjects?
What thoughts do you have about each man based on what you see?  Which man do you think won the war based on what you see?  Why do you think this?

3.    Continue through the slide show. Also, pay attention to the many links provided for further study (jot down key information).

4. Read the article "Two Generals, Still Maneuvering," http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/featured_articles/20081020monday.html

Be prepared to discuss the article with the class focusing on the following questions: 
What organization is hosting this exhibit and what is the function of this organization?
How have General Lee and General Grant traditionally been remembered?
What influence has art had on how these two Generals have been remembered by history?
How and why are historians’ interpretations of these Generals changing?
What connections are drawn between the Civil War and present day in the exhibit? Why do you think the curators thought that these were interesting and informative connections? 

5. After reading and discussing the article, you will work in pairs to complete a Venn diagram, found online at http://graphics8.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/studentactivity/Venn_Diagram.pdf, comparing the personal traits, leadership skills, life experiences and legacies of General Grant and General Lee. To complete this diagram, you and your partner should use the information that you gathered in the Times article as well as any available classroom materials. Additional materials are available at: http://www.nps.gov/arho/historyculture/robert-lee.htm and http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/grant/peopleevents/p_ugrant.html to supplement your knowledge of the two generals. 

 


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Evaluation 

Each category is scored on a four point scale. One category will be for group work and four categories for individual work. 

A=16-20 points. B=11-15 points. C=6-10 points. D=5 points.
 Beginning

1
 Developing

2
 Accomplished

3
 Exemplary

4
 Score
 
 

Information

Gathering 

 
 Information is gathered from non-web sources only.
 Information is gathered from limited web and non-web sources.
 Information is gathered from multiple web and non-web sources.
 Information is gathered from multiple web and non-web sources and sources are cited properly.
  
 
 

Cooperative

Group Work

 Discussions,

 Venn diagram.

 

 
 Cannot work with others in most situations. Cannot share decisions or responsibilities.
 Works with others, but has difficulty sharing decisions and responsibilities.
 Works well with others. Takes part in most decisions and contributes fair share to group.
 Works well with others. Assumes a clear role and related responsibilities. Motivates others to do their best.
  
 
 

Content Knowledge 

 

 
 Student does not have grasp of information. Student cannot answer questions about subject.
 Student is uncomfortable with information and is able to answer only rudimentary questions.
 Student is at ease with content, but fails to elaborate.
 Student demonstrates full knowledge, more than required, with explanations and elaboration.
  
 
 

Communication 

 
 Expresses and organizes ideas and information with limited effectiveness.
 Expresses and organizes ideas and information with some effectiveness. 
 Expresses and organizes ideas and information with considerable effectiveness.
 Expresses and organizes ideas and information with a high degree of effectiveness.
  
 
 

Conclusions Reached 
 A conclusion is made from the evidence offered.
 Some detailed conclusions are reached from the evidence offered. 
 Several detailed conclusions are reached from the evidence offered. 
 Numerous detailed conclusions are reached from the evidence offered. 
  
 


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Conclusion 

Additional links for further content:

Slideshow: Renovations at Gettysburg http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/09/24/arts/20080925_GETTYSBURG_SLIDESHOW_index.html

Slideshow: Civil War Museums http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/09/03/arts/design/20080903_CIVIL_SLIDESHOW_index.html

Historical N.Y. Times articles          http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/browser

Robert E. Lee http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/l/robert_e_lee/index.html

Ulysses S. Grant http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/g/ulysses_s_grant/index.html

Civil War, 1861-1865 http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/c/civil_war_us_/index.html

The Civil War, PBS                                                http://www.pbs.org/civilwar/

Civil War, Smithsonian                        http://www.civilwar.si.edu/home.html

Primary Sources                  http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/cwfrm.htm

 

 

 

After completing this lesson using multimedia technology on the Web, you will have learned to evaluate sources and materials in the interpretation of a historical event, discuss the information obtained, and also form some of your own opinions.

Homework assignment, additional questions:

Compare the generals as they were viewed during their time period to the way that we remember them today. How have interpretations changed? What has stayed the same? 

Additional links to help you think about and answer these questions:

http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/1012.html#article

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F00EED91039E533A25757C2A9619C94649FD7CF&scp=1&sq=Ulysses+S.+Grant&st=p

So, next time you open a history book and view an artistic work, how will you analyze it? 

 


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Credits & References 

http://www.nytimes.com

http://etc.usf.edu/clipart

 


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Based on a template from The WebQuest Page

 


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