LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Social Studies — Grade 8

Goal 3: The learner will identify key events and evaluate the impact of reform and expansion in North Carolina during the first half of the 19th century.

Objective 3.01. Describe the causes of the War of 1812 and analyze the impact of the war on North Carolina and the nation.

Additional related resources

We’re in the process of aligning our content for students to the Standard Course of Study. As we do, you’ll find it here.

The War of 1812
In North Carolina in the New Nation, page 8.3
During its wars with France in the 1790s and early 1800s, Great Britain refused to respect the rights of U.S. ships and sailors on the high seas. When diplomacy and trade restrictions failed, President James Madison declared war. The two nations fought for two years before agreeing to a treaty, and historians debate who really "won" the war.
Format: article
Dolley Madison and the White House treasures
In North Carolina in the New Nation, page 8.7
Tuesday, August 23, 1814. Dolley Madison as First Lady.The famous Gilbert Stuart portrait of...
Format: letter/primary source
Debating war with Britain: For the war
In North Carolina in the New Nation, page 8.4
Article from the Raleigh Star, published just after Congress declared war on Great Britain in 1812, arguing in support of the war. Includes historical commentary.
Format: newspaper/primary source
Debating war with Britain: Against the war
In North Carolina in the New Nation, page 8.5
Article from the Carolina Federal Republican of Raleigh, published just after Congress declared war on Great Britain in 1812, arguing against the war. Includes historical commentary.
Format: newspaper/primary source
Commentary and sidebar notes by L. Maren Wood.
Canova's statue of Washington
In North Carolina in the New Nation, page 4.8
In 1815, at a time when the state of North Carolina was unwilling to spend money on roads or schools, the General Assembly spent as much as $60,000 on a statue of George Washington for the State Capitol.
Format: book/primary source
Commentary and sidebar notes by Pauline S. Johnson.
The burning of Washington
In North Carolina in the New Nation, page 8.6
Report in the Raleigh Star, September 2, 1814, on the burning of Washington by the British during the War of 1812. Includes historical commentary.
Format: newspaper/primary source
Commentary and sidebar notes by David Walbert and L. Maren Wood.

General resources

Aligned lesson plans

Impressed with embargo
Students will learn about the causes of the War of 1812 and make connections to current world events.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)
By Andrea McGuire.