Overview

"Warning Signs" explores national events in the pre-Civil War period (1849-1860). Resources provided include transcribed primary sources, films featuring noted experts on historical events and politics, and thematic lesson plans designed by award-winning educators to promote inquiry and historical literacy. Explore crucial evidence, historical context, and different perspectives about an extremely polarized moment in U.S. history and what it reveals about maintaining a healthy democracy today.


Digital Media

Warning Signs | Trailer

Warning Signs: Lincoln’s Response to Rising Tensions in the 1850’s is a new film series focused on stories of political polarization and violence in the decade preceding secession.

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Warning Signs | Part One: -Broken Compromise

As the nation emerges from the Mexican-American War, questions about slavery in the newly acquired territories reignites debates about freedom, justice, and democracy. Learn more about the Compromise of 1850 and its controversial Fugitive Slave Act provision.

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Warning Signs | Part Two: Deepening Divides

Factions promote opposing interpretations of the Founders’ intent and fate of slavery. Lincoln challenges rival Stephen Douglas on his proposed Kansas-Nebraska Act and ideas about Popular Sovereignty. This film touches on Bleeding Kansas, the Dred Scott decision, Lincoln’s Peoria Speech and more.

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Warning Signs | Part Three: Taking a Stand

Lincoln challenges Stephen Douglas for the Senate, making a name for himself nationally. The Lincoln-Douglas debates, Freeport doctrine, Popular Sovereignty, and the House Divided speech are referenced in this film.

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Warning Signs | Part Four: Perpetual Struggle

Even after the tumultuous 1850s and states seceding in the wake of Lincoln being elected president, his First Inaugural Address strikes a hopeful, compromising tone. Learn how Lincoln grappled with the unprecedented crisis facing the republic, his views on self-government, and how he saw progress inspired by the Declaration of Independence but bound by the Constitution.

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Warning Signs Lesson Plans

  High School Lesson Plans   

"Lincoln's Response to Rising Threats to Freedom, Justice, and Democracy" as evidenced through Lincoln's Cooper Union Address

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Middle School Lesson Plans

"Lincoln's Response to Rising Threats to Freedom, Justice, and Democracy" Unit Plan

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Grades 4-6 Lesson Plans

"Scott Free? Warning Signs: Lincoln’s Response to Dred Scott"

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Primary Sources

Report of Speech at Leavenworth, Kansas

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Report of Lincoln's Speech in Peoria

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Speech Fragment on Dred Scott Case

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Lincoln's Letter to Joshua Speed 

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Lincoln's Notes for a Debate

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Lincoln to John Palmer

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Fragment on Sectionalism July 23, 1856

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Lincoln Douglas Debates Speech

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Cooper Union Speech Feb 27, 1860

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Fragment on Slavery

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House Divided Speech Fragment

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Lincoln on Abolition in England and the United States

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Resolution Recommending Amendment of the Kansas-Nebraska Act

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A Bill to Abolish Slavery

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Explore More

Four Score Speaker Series: Dr. Jonathan W. White

November 9, 2022 - Join us on Wednesday, November 9th from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. CT for the third installment of “Warning Signs: Lincoln’s Response to Rising Threats to Freedom, Justice, and Democracy,” the Foundation’s new online resource project developed with generous support from Iron Mountain.

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Four Score Speaker Series: Dr. Silvana Siddali

November 29, 2022 - Join us on Tuesday, November 29th from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. CT for the fourth installment of “Warning Signs: Lincoln’s Response to Rising Threats to Freedom, Justice, and Democracy,” the Foundation’s new online resource project developed with generous support from Iron Mountain.

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Four Score Speaker Series: Dr. Lucas Morel

Dr. Lucas Morel, along with Foundation CEO Erin Carlson Mast and West Virginia History Teacher of the Year, Adena Barnette-Miller held an energetic and engaging discussion on September 29th about how events in the 1850’s relate to questions the ongoing struggle with self-governance we grapple with today and the vital importance of civic education.

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Four Score Speaker Series: Dr. Rachel Shelden

Dr. Rachel Sheldon, along with Foundation CEO Erin Carlson Mast engaged in an informative discussion on Lincoln’s political evolution, his response to Supreme Court decisions, and the Court's impacts on democracy and freedom prior to the Civil War following the second installment of “Warning Signs: Lincoln’s Response to Rising Threats to Freedom, Justice, and Democracy”. Warning Signs is the Foundation’s new online resource project developed with generous support from Iron Mountain.

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