"THE BIRTH OF A NEW NATION"

Stephen Graff

The writing challenge for my students--5th and 6th grade gifted and talented students--was to research and write about a variety of topics concerning what happened in our nation from the end of the Civil War through 1870. This year, we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the end of this bloody but important American conflict. 1865 was the end of war but also the beginning of civil movements that would contribute greatly to future causes, new laws, and new rights for women and African-Americans.