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.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline detailing the events that preceded Lincoln's presidency.
Encourage critical thinking and student engagement by organizing a debate focused on key political decisions made by Abraham Lincoln. Students take sides, research arguments, and discuss the consequences of these choices.
Have students work in small groups to analyze Lincoln’s election campaign tactics, including speeches, alliances, and use of media. This helps them understand historical context and teamwork skills.
Ask students to find and present primary sources like letters, newspaper articles, or speeches from Lincoln’s era. This promotes authentic learning and research skills.
Invite students to write a journal entry or letter as if they were a citizen during Lincoln’s election. This enhances empathy and historical understanding.
Key events in Abraham Lincoln’s rise to the presidency include his debates with Stephen Douglas, service in the Illinois legislature, opposition to the expansion of slavery, and nomination as the Republican candidate in 1860. These milestones shaped his political identity and led to his election as president.
Students can create a timeline by organizing important events in Lincoln’s career—such as elections, speeches, and party involvement—into chronological order. Use visual aids like timeline posters or digital templates, and include short descriptions and images to illustrate each event.
Lincoln’s election in 1860 alarmed many Southern states because of his anti-slavery expansion stance. His victory signaled a shift in federal policy, prompting South Carolina and others to secede, which ultimately triggered the Civil War.
Besides traditional timelines, teachers can assign timeline posters, interactive presentations, or gallery walks. Students can also use spider maps to explore key events in depth, fostering deeper understanding of Lincoln’s path to the presidency.
Engaging template options include digital timeline tools, printable templates with customizable cells, and visual poster layouts. Using a variety of templates encourages creativity and helps students organize information effectively.