Book excerpt: The American Civil War and the ensuing process of Reconstruction in the South were turning points in American history. The United States realized it could not endure with two separate ideas about slavery, and that it needed to reconcile how it felt about government. Readers will engage with history through primary sources, and get inspired to show mastery of this dynamic and difficult era. The project-based learning ideas in this book include map-making, letter writing, presentations, and more, all designed to help students delve into the subject at hand, and encourage creative and critical thinking.