Abraham Lincoln Timeline

Lincoln's rise to the presidency wasn't without its hiccups. Students should create a timeline that outlines and defines the major events that led to Lincoln’s election as president in 1860. This will provide students with a historical context for Lincoln’s rise to power from a political perspective. Students should concentrate on the political actions in Lincoln's career and how he defined his ideas and ideologies (as well as that of the Republican Party). In addition, students will be able to understand why his election in 1860 led to the secession of South Carolina and beginning of the American Civil War.

For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options, and update the instructions accordingly.

Extended Activity

Have students choose one timeline topic to expand on for deeper understanding of its significance and its relation to Lincoln’s rise to the presidency. Students can select Abraham Lincoln facts, or the teacher can pre-select 1-3 topics to choose from. Have students utilize a spider map to expand on the 5 Ws, or major components, of that topic.

Student Instructions

Create a timeline detailing the events that preceded Lincoln's presidency.

1. Click "Start Assignment".
2. Add cells as needed.
3. Identify important events type them into the titles of each cell.
4. Describe the events in the description box.
5. Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
6. Save and exit when you're done.