Last updated: December 22, 2022
Lesson Plan
A Town Divided
- Grade Level:
- Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
- Subject:
- Social Studies
- Lesson Duration:
- 30 Minutes
- Thinking Skills:
- Analyzing: Break down a concept or idea into parts and show the relationships among the parts. Evaluating: Make informed judgements about the value of ideas or materials. Use standards and criteria to support opinions and views.
Essential Question
How should we settle controversial issues in society? Can we allow for a difference of opinion? Or do we insist that everyone think the same way?
Objective
The student will be able to explain how the town of Fort Scott was divided during the Bleeding Kansas era, even to the point that law enforcement officers took sides.
Background
Have you ever been so concerned for your own safety that you were afraid to walk out the door? This is undoubtedly how many citizens of Fort Scott felt in spring of 1858.
The events that led up to the situation actually had begun two years previously. Proslavery men from South Carolina had arrived in Bourbon County in 1856 and using some underhanded means began driving the Free State settlers from their homes.
In 1857, some of the Free State settlers began returning to their claims. In many cases, there was now question of the ownership of the claims. Disputes arose and ownership claims were referred to the court. The only problem was that Judge Joseph Williams was sympathetic to the proslavery men and routinely took sides against the free staters. He also often indicted the Free State men and either held them on excessive bail or denied them bail.
In response, Free State settlers set up the Squatters’ Court-which ruled more regularly on the side of the Free State men.Toward the close of the year 1857, Montgomery's band, on account of their operations on the Little Osage, became known as the "Osages," and the pro-slavery element, as the "Pro-slaveries." The people of Fort Scott during this time were constantly subject to alarms, by reports that the "Osages" were coming to attack the place.
A number of violent events that spring had left the townspeople in fear. General disturbance and unrest had been present for months, but by the end of April, tensions were escalating. The 1st Cavalry, under the command of Captain George Anderson, had been stationed here since February to help quell civil disturbances. On April 21, free state forces confronted the cavalry at Paint Creek. Shooting erupted and one soldier was killed. In reaction, pro slavery radicals (border ruffians) began to conjure up false accusations against and to attack the homes of free state men in the surrounding area. Some of the leading townspeople decided to stand up to the border ruffians and trouble ensued
Preparation
Discuss with students how slavery divided Kansas Territory and the town of Fort Scott,
Make copies of the Map of Fort Scott that shows how it was divided through street names.
Make copies of the two skits that students will.perform in and assign roles.
Get props together for students to use in the skits.
Materials
Download Crawford vs Clarke Script
Download Walker vs Clarke Script
Download Fort Scott Street Map
Lesson Hook/Preview
While people in the early community of Fort Scott sought to create a viable town, they were often blocked in their efforts by those who believed so passionately in their cause that it created an atmosphere of tension and violence
Procedure
Divide up kids into pro-slavery and free state people.
Point out hotels as Free State and Pro Slavery
Distribute the map of the divided streets in Fort Scott and have students do the map activity,
'
Students will stage two scenarios. Have the students equipped with the appropriate props and scripts.
Discuss afterward the events and how they showed how divided the town of Fort Scott was.