Justice Curtis's Dred Scott Dissent in Context
Written by Adi Ackerman, Head Teacher
"Justice Curtis's Dred Scott Dissent in Context" is written for 8th Grade (Ages 13-14), and it covers C3 Framework D2.His.4.6-8. A 7th grader who is already steady on Causes of the Civil War can use it too, and an older student can use it as a short review.
2 pages in this set
8th grade social studies worksheet: analyze Justice Curtis's 1857 Dred Scott dissent on Black citizenship in five founding era states. Answer key included. Part of our events leading to war collection. Aligned to C3 Framework standards.
How do I use this worksheet?
Teach the sheets in time order, from the sections in 1850 to the secession winter. Use the newspaper and Dred Scott sheets for source discussion.
What students will practice
- Students will read the context of the 1857 Dred Scott ruling and Justice Curtis's dissent.
- Students will rewrite Curtis's sentence in their own words.
- Students will explain how the Fourteenth Amendment settled the question Curtis raised.
Curriculum Links
C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards
Social Studies · 8th Grade
Find this in the curriculum
Browse the grade, subject, and topic this belongs to.
FAQ
How do I use this events leading to war worksheet?
⌄
Teach the sheets in time order, from the sections in 1850 to the secession winter. Use the newspaper and Dred Scott sheets for source discussion.
What does this worksheet teach?
⌄
Analyze Justice Curtis's 1857 Dred Scott dissent on Black citizenship in five founding era states. The directions on the page read: Read the context, quotation and word help. Then answer the questions on page 2. An answer key is included.
Can I use this events leading to war worksheet for homeschool or classroom?
⌄
Yes, both. We made it for 8th grade Causes of the Civil War, and it works the same at home or at school. At home, a student can work through it alone and then go over it with you, which shows quickly what is solid and what needs another look. In class it works as independent practice, homework or a warm-up, and you can print one copy or a full set.
How did the economies of the sections differ in 1850?
⌄
The Northeast held most factories, the South rested on cotton grown mainly by enslaved people, and the Old Northwest had family farms growing corn and wheat. Students chart products, labor and transport for each.
How did the caning of Charles Sumner deepen division?
⌄
Two newspaper sources framed the 1856 attack differently, and each left out facts. Students find loaded words and explain how such papers deepened anger between North and South.
Did states with a higher percent enslaved secede first?
⌄
Students find the percent enslaved in eight states from 1860 census counts, graph it and test the pattern against the dates each state seceded.
Ratings & Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share what you think.
Reviews are for ClassWeekly members.
Make a Request
Spotted something to fix, or want a worksheet we don't have yet? Tell us and we'll make it.
Worksheet Details
| Grade | 8th Grade |
| Subject | Social Studies |
| Topic | Causes of the Civil War |
| Standard | D2.His.4.6-8 |
| Pages | 2 pages |
| Difficulty | Medium |
What is ClassWeekly?
ClassWeekly offers free worksheets and printable learning resources for kids, from preschool up. All worksheets are aligned to Common Core, NGSS, and C3 Framework standards and designed by educators. Become a member to access the full library and download unlimited PDFs.