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Hampton Roads Peace Conference

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About the inquiry

In this inquiry, students examine the question of whether the Civil War had to end the way it did. On February 3, 1865, leaders from the Union and the Confederacy met in Hampton Roads, Virginia, to discuss a negotiated end to the Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln and Secretary of State William H. Seward represented the United States. Representing the Confederacy were Vice President Alexander H. Stephens, Senator Robert M. T. Hunter, and Assistant Secretary of War John A. Campbell. They discussed terms for an end to the war, including a compromise over slavery and compensation for emancipated slaves as well as a possible alliance against France. While the conference did not produce any tangible results, it does offer an opportunity to learn more about Lincoln’s leadership style, priorities, and hopes for the post-war period.

Compelling Question

Did the Civil War have to last as long as it did?

Staging Question

Working in small groups, brainstorm ideas about how to end a conflict.

1
Supporting Question

What was the Hampton Roads Peace Conference?

Formative Tasks

Write a brief description of the Hampton Roads conference.

Sources

Source A: The Abortive Peace Conference at Hampton Roads, part 1

2
Supporting Question

What do telegrams sent from January 31 to February 3, 1865, tell us about the peace conference?

Formative Tasks

Create an annotated timeline of events, activities, and actions from January 31 to February 3, 1865, as Union and Confederate officials talked about the future of the Civil War.

Sources

Source A: 11 telegram messages on the Hampton Roads Conference between January 31 to February 3, 1865

3
Supporting Question

What happened at the Hampton Roads Peace Conference?

Formative Tasks

Create a four-panel storyboard describing the Hampton Roads Peace Conference.

Sources

Source A: The Abortive Peace Conference at Hampton Roads, part 2

Summative Performance Task

Argument: Did the Civil War have to take as long as it did? Construct a brief argument with 3 claims supported by evidence from the sources addressing the end of the Civil War.

Extension: Draft a peace proposal for the Civil War.

Taking Informed Action

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