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8.28 Election of 1860, Secession, and War Worksheet

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Worksheet Overview & Skills Covered

Core academic competencies and curriculum alignment

This Grade 8 Social Studies worksheet provides structured practice on 8.28 Election of 1860, Secession, and War. Students are guided through targeted exercises that build foundational understanding, computational accuracy, and critical thinking skills.

Election of 1860, Secession, and War - Explain events leading to secession and the outbreak of the Civil War. (C3 D2.His.14–15.6–8)

Whether you are an educator preparing classroom handouts, a tutor reinforcing weekly topics, or a parent supporting homeschool learning, this printable resource gives students the deliberate practice required to achieve subject fluency and master state standards.

Grade

Grade 8

Subject

Social Studies

Domain

Social Studies Curriculum

Formats

PDF & DOCX

Sample Practice Problems

Preview the types of problems and questions covered in this worksheet

Below are sample questions representative of the exercises included on this worksheet and related 8.28 Election of 1860, Secession, and War skill assessments:

Problem 1Difficulty: Mastery

Source: pamphlet sold on a street corner (Richmond, Virginia, December 1860). Exhibit: (1) Election results split among four tickets; (2) several states vote to leave the Union; (3) a federal fort becomes the focus of an armed standoff. However, actual fighting began only after Confederate forces fired on a U.S. fort in April 1861. Task: Use the evidence in the passage/exhibit to choose the best answer.

Which choice is the strongest, evidence-based answer using the passage and exhibit?

AThe Missouri Compromise caused secession in 1860 and triggered war in 1861

BLincoln’s election led to secession, but the attack on Fort Sumter triggered open war

CThe Battle of Antietam caused secession and triggered war

DThe Gold Rush caused secession and triggered war

Solution & Explanation:Secession followed Lincoln’s election, but the first battle (Fort Sumter) triggered open warfare. For mastery questions, link the exhibit (timeline/claims) to the passage’s evidence, then choose the option that best explains both secession pressures and the move toward armed conflict.

Problem 2Difficulty: Mastery

Source: newspaper editorial (Albany, New York, March 1861). This timing shaped the crisis because Buchanan’s weak response and Lincoln’s limited power as president-elect left uncertainty and growing tension. Task: Use the evidence in the passage/exhibit to choose the best answer.

Which conclusion is most defensible given the evidence in the passage/exhibit?

ASecession began before the election of 1860

BSecession began after the election but before Lincoln’s inauguration

CSecession began after Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation

DSecession began only after the war ended

Solution & Explanation:Secession started in the interregnum between Lincoln’s election and his inauguration. For mastery questions, link the exhibit (timeline/claims) to the passage’s evidence, then choose the option that best explains both secession pressures and the move toward armed conflict.

Problem 3Difficulty: Mastery

Source: interview reported in a local paper (Boston, Massachusetts, December 1860). Exhibit: A timeline lists Nov. 1860 election → Dec.–Feb. secession votes → April 1861 firing on a U.S. fort. Only later, after additional states joined, did the Confederate capital move to Richmond. Task: Use the evidence in the passage/exhibit to choose the best answer.

Which answer requires the fewest assumptions and best fits the evidence provided?

ARichmond, Virginia

BCharleston, South Carolina

CNashville, Tennessee

DMontgomery, Alabama

Solution & Explanation:The Confederacy first formed its government in Montgomery, Alabama. For mastery questions, link the exhibit (timeline/claims) to the passage’s evidence, then choose the option that best explains both secession pressures and the move toward armed conflict.

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QWhat grade level and standards does this worksheet align with?

This worksheet is designed specifically for Grade 8 Social Studies students. It aligns with educational standard USH.8.28 (Develop understanding of Election of 1860, Secession, and War through grade 8 social studies practice.).