Social Studies — Grade 8

The Stanly-Spaight Duel

In North Carolina in the New Nation, page 8.1

In early nineteenth-century North Carolina, arguments often ended in duels. The 1802 duel between Richard Dobbs Spaight and John Stanly, in which Spaight was killed, led to legislation outlawing the practice, but the law had little immediate effect.

Format: article

Social divisions in antebellum North Carolina

In Antebellum North Carolina, page 1.2

An overview of the social divisions of antebellum North Carolina: large planters and smaller-scale slaveholders, small farmers and skilled laborers, tenant farmers and unskilled laborers, free blacks, and slaves.

Format: article

Seasons on a farm

In Antebellum North Carolina, page 2.2

An excerpt from the diary of James Evans, a farmer in Cumberland County, North Carolina. The diary spans the years 1851–1859.

Format: diary/primary source

Commentary and sidebar notes by L. Maren Wood.

Searching for greener pastures: Out-migration in the 1800s

In North Carolina in the New Nation, page 4.1

In the first half of the nineteenth century, a steady stream of emigration flowed from North Carolina to western states and territories. North Carolinians were pushed by a lack of economic opportunity at home and pulled by open land in the West. Only after the 1830s, when a progressive political leadership supported schools and internal improvements, did out-migration slow.

Format: article

By Donald R. Lennon and Fred D. Ragan.

"A poor, ignorant, squalid population"

In North Carolina in the New Nation, page 4.5

Letter from Archibald Murphey to Thomas Ruffin, 1819, in which Murphey bemoans the character of the people around Fayetteville and blames the lack of trade, transportation, and economic opportunity. Includes historical commentary.

Format: letter/primary source

North Carolina's leaders speak out on emigration

In North Carolina in the New Nation, page 4.3

Excerpts from a speech by Governor William Miller, 1816, and from an 1833 legislative committee report, both bemoaning the lack of economic opportunities for North Carolina's citizens. Includes historical commentary.

Format: speech/primary source

Migration into and out of North Carolina: Exploring census data

In North Carolina in the New Nation, page 4.2

Just how many people left North Carolina in the first half of the nineteenth century -- and where did they go? To answer questions like this, the best place to turn is census records. The census can't tell us why people moved, but a look at the numbers can give us a sense of the scale of the migration.

Format: activity

By David Walbert.

The Louisiana Purchase

In North Carolina in the New Nation, page 8.2

Since 1762, Spain had owned Louisiana, the vast territory between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains. When France acquired the territory in 1802, President Thomas Jefferson offered to buy New Orleans to ensure U.S. access to trade on the Mississippi. When Napoleon offered the entire territory for $15 million, Jefferson accepted.

Format: article

Education and literacy in Edgecombe County, 1810

In North Carolina in the New Nation, page 5.4

In this 1810 letter, Jeremiah Battle of Edgecombe County describes the lack of education in eastern North Carolina and the consequences for society and politics. Includes historical commentary.

Format: letter/primary source

Commentary and sidebar notes by L. Maren Wood.

Diary of a planter

In Antebellum North Carolina, page 2.3

Excerpt from the diary of Henry W. Harrington, Jr., a plantation owner in Richmond County, North Carolina. Includes historical commentary.

Format: diary/primary source

Commentary and sidebar notes by L. Maren Wood and David Walbert.

Diary of a farm wife

In Antebellum North Carolina, page 2.4

In North Carolina History: A Sampler, page 3.3

April 1854 Page from Penelope Alderman diary. Mond. 3. Wove some. Mr. A. ploughing and...

Format: diary/primary source

Commentary and sidebar notes by L. Maren Wood.

Crops and livestock

In Antebellum North Carolina, page 2.1

A series of maps based on U.S. Census of Agriculture data show changes in North Carolina's agriculture over time.

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.

Archibald Murphey proposes a system of public education

In North Carolina in the New Nation, page 4.6

Report of a joint legislative committee, 1817, laying out a complete plan for statewide public education, including primary schools, academies, and the University of North Carolina. Includes historical commentary.

Format: report/primary source

Commentary and sidebar notes by L. Maren Wood.

Archibald Murphey calls for better inland navigation

In North Carolina in the New Nation, page 4.7

Excerpt from Archibald Murphey’s Report to the Committee on Inland Navigation in which he calls for the government to invest in the state’s internal transportation system as a way to break their dependency on neighboring states and to increase land values, population and state revenue.

Format: report/primary source

Commentary and sidebar notes by David Walbert and L. Maren Wood.

Archibald Murphey

In North Carolina in the New Nation, page 4.4

Archibald Debow Murphey (1777–1832) was a North Carolina state senator and later a Superior Court judge who fought for a comprehensive system of public education, construction of canals and roads, and other progressive reforms.

Format: biography

The Alamance Cotton Mill

In Antebellum North Carolina, page 4.7

In 1837, Edwin Holt founded the Alamance Cotton Mill, which began the industrial development of Alamance County. The mill produced the first colored fabrics in the South, including the popular "Alamance Plaid."

Format: article

Understanding out-migration from North Carolina in the 1800s

In this lesson plan, students read an article about the factors leading North Carolinians to leave for other states in the 1800s. Students participate in a debate about which factors were more important — "push" factors or "pull" factors.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

By Jamie Lathan.

N.C.- The Rip Van Winkle State

This lesson introduces students to Washington Irving's short story "Rip Van Winkle" and correlates it with the history of North Carolina. In the 1800s North Carolina was nicknamed "The Rip Van Winkle State."

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

By Kay D. Lopossay.

Exploring the 1835 NC Constitutional Convention

This Internet Scavenger Hunt allows students to read the actual proceedings of the 1835 Constitutional Convention while they discover for themselves some of the significant amendments that were made. The activity also sets the foundation for class discussions about why the state Constitution was amended in 1835 and what impact the amendments had on religious groups, free blacks, and American Indians.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

By Barbara Jean.

Resources on the web

Population growth and movement in 19th century North Carolina

In this eighth grade social studies lesson, students compare historical maps of North Carolina from 1823 and 1892 and propose reasons for the population change evidenced by the maps. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

Provided by: UNC Libraries