Debate Divide

This worksheet supports students in Grades 6 and 7 as they strengthen close reading, comparative analysis, historical reasoning, and evidence-based thinking through an examination of opposing Reconstruction perspectives. Students read two short excerpts-one representing the views of the Radical Republicans and the other reflecting President Andrew Johnson’s approach-and analyze how these conflicting beliefs shaped the course of Reconstruction and affected progress toward equality.

Learning Goals

• Comparing Historical Perspectives (Grades 6-7) – Students identify key differences in goals, priorities, and beliefs about rebuilding the nation.
• Primary Source Interpretation – Learners closely read historical excerpts to understand author perspective and intent.
• Evaluating Rights and Protections – The activity asks students to determine which viewpoint better supported the rights of freedmen.
• Cause and Effect in History – Students examine how political disagreements slowed Reconstruction progress.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed by educators to align with middle school social studies and ELA standards.
• Strong Compare-and-Contrast Practice – Structured questions guide students in analyzing similarities and differences.
• Promotes Evidence-Based Reasoning – Students must support conclusions with details from both excerpts.
• Encourages Critical Evaluation – Learners assess the impact of political conflict on national decision-making.
• Flexible Classroom Use – Ideal for document-based lessons, assessments, small-group discussion, or enrichment.
• Low-Prep Printable – Ready for classroom or homeschool use with minimal preparation.

This Debate Divide worksheet helps students understand Reconstruction as a period shaped by intense political conflict and competing visions for the nation’s future. By comparing opposing viewpoints and evaluating their impact on civil rights and progress, learners strengthen analytical reading, critical thinking, and historical comprehension while gaining deeper insight into how disagreements influence major national outcomes.