This document outlines an assignment for students to complete an annotated diary from the Civil War or Reconstruction period. Students are instructed to find a primary source diary or letters from the time period, write an introduction providing historical context, and annotate 3 excerpts with explanations of the historical context. The annotations and a concluding paragraph should discuss how the diary sheds light on the Civil War or Reconstruction era. Sources for finding appropriate primary documents are provided. Requirements include accuracy, illustrations, and a 3 page paper with introduction, annotations, and conclusion.

1. American History
Civil War & Reconstruction: Spring PBL Assignment
Civil War & Reconstruction
Annotated Diary ♋PBL Assignment
Throughout history, men and women have kept diaries and written letters. Diaries, which have
survived and been archived, tell us about the past. Many diarists wrote with the understanding and
the hope that their writing would help future generations to interpret events, people, and even the
atmosphere of the times they witnessed. Since the Ancients, historians have edited, annotated, and
published diaries as exemplary, authentic historical accounts. This history genre is called an
annotated diary.
Your task is:
1. Find a diary or series of letters from the Civil War or Reconstruction period.
2. After reading these primary sources, write a thorough introduction explaining the historical
significance of these particular diaries/letters.
3. Finally, you will write a series of annotations explaining the documents you have read and
then end with a conclusion remarking upon the lasting interest of this diary/letters.
Requirements:
• Historical accuracy.
• A fluid paper with introduction, annotations referencing specific historic details/facts, & a conclusion.
• At least 1 illustration of the author or relevant event.
• 3 pages double spaced, font size 12.
• Neat error-free typed text.
• You may use books, encyclopedias, atlases or the Internet for your historical research.
Guidelines for Your Annotated Diary/Letters:
• When & where was the writer born? Where was he/she living during the War?
• Tell a bit about his/her childhood & family.
• Present a minimum of 3 excerpts from the diaries/letters.
• Present annotations that explain the Civil War or Reconstruction context of the excerpts you’ve chosen.
• Present a conclusion about how this diary/series of letters sheds light on the Civil War or
Reconstruction.
• End with a brief account of the writer’s life and/or legacy.

2. American History
Civil War & Reconstruction: Spring PBL Assignment
Suggested Sources:
The Civil War
Developed by the National Park Service in celebration of the war’s 150th anniversary.
http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/index.htm
The Civil War: In the Classroom
Accompanies PBS nine-part series, The Civil War: A Film by Ken Burns.
http://www.pbs.org/civilwar/classroom/
A Civil War Soldier’s Everyday Life
Library of Congress primary sources
http://tps.nl.edu/CivilWar.htm
Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System
National Park Service: over six million Confederate and Union records housed at the National Archives.
http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/index.html
Civil War Trust
http://www.civilwar.org/education/
The Gilder-Lehrman Institute of American History: The Civil War Era
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/institute/era_civilwar.php
Shades of Gray and Blue
Shares personal stories of the Civil War in Tennessee through art and artifacts.
http://www.civilwarshades.org/
The Valley of the Shadow
Two Civil War-era communities—north and south. Maps, diaries, newspapers and photographs.
http://valley.lib.virginia.edu/
With Malice Toward None: The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition
Library of Congress exhibition on Lincoln. Learn More ‖ section highlights additional related exhibitions,
Webcasts, a brief bibliography and resources for teachers.
http://myloc.gov/exhibitions/lincoln/Pages/default.aspx