Chickamauga: Turning Point in the Western Theater
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Subject Area: Social Studies | Grade Level: 8
Lesson Length: 30 minutes
Keywords/Tags: Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Braxton Bragg, William Rosecrans, U.S. Grant, William T. Sherman, Nathan Bedford Forrest, James Longstreet.
Lesson Description: In this lesson, students will become familiar with events concerning the Battle of Chickamauga. Students will learn of battle and troop movements, key figures within the two-day battle, Union and Confederate causalities, as well as effects of the battle on leading to William T. Shermans Siege of Atlanta, and the "March to the Sea".

  • Other SS8H5b.: Explain Georgia’s role in the Civil War; include the Union blockade of Georgia’s coast, the Emancipation Proclamation, Chickamauga, Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign, Sherman’s March to the Sea, and Andersonville.
  • SS.8.A.1.6 Compare interpretations of key events and issues throughout American History.
  • SS.8.A.5.5 Compare Union and Confederate strengths and weaknesses.
  • SS.8.A.5.6 Compare significant Civil War battles and events and their effects on civilian populations.
  • SS.8.G.1.1 Use maps to explain physical and cultural attributes of major regions throughout American history.
  • SS.8.G.6.2 Illustrate places and events in U.S. history through the use of narratives and graphic representations.
Video : Chickamauga: Animated Battle Map
Instructions: Please watch the following video as many times as needed before starting to go through other lesson pages. Understanding the content of the video is very important since the lesson activities will be all about this video content.
Quiz : Chickamauga Battlefield Trust Questions
Instructions: Please complete this quiz by answering the questions according to the video. You can take this quiz as many times needed.
Question #1
After William H. Rosecrans leaves central Tennessee, Where was his next objective?
Question #2
How many men did William Rosecrans have at his disposal, how many men did Braxton Bragg have?
Question #3
Nathan Bedforest was the Union calvery General patroling the area of Alexander's Bridge
Question #4
Whow was Rosecrans most trusted subordinate?
Question #5
How many men had fallen during the days of battle?
Question #6
What general was Braxton Bragg waiting on to arrive from Ringgold's train station?
Question #7
What ridge was the "last stand" for the Union?
Question #8
Who recieved the name "The Rock of Chickamauga"?
Question #9
Chickamauga was a Union Victory
Question #10
In October, who took command of the Union forces while in Winter Camp in Chattanooga?
Resources : Additional links to informative and interesting YouTube videos over the Battle of Chickamauga.
Instructions: Please see additional external resources below. Feel free visit each link to learn more about this lesson.
Civil War Combat: The Bloody Battle Of Chickamauga (S1, E2) | Full Episode
In September 1863, along the Chickamauga River in northern Georgia, the Union and Confederate Armies battled to the death. In Cherokee, Chickamauga means "River of Blood". See more in Season 1, Episode 2, "The Battle Of Chickamauga."
Tour Stop 10: The Rock of Chickamauga: Snodgrass Hill & Horseshoe Ridge
After retreating from the Brotherton Farm, Union troops come across unexpected high ground, allowing them to reform their lines. Some forces get swept off the field, while others stay and fight from their new positions, allowing the Union Army to successfully retreat back to Chattanooga. Thus, George "The Rock of Chickamauga" Thomas is born. The National Park Service's Jim Ogden and Dr. Anthony Hodges of the Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association detail the close of the Battle of Chickamauga.
The Second Bloodiest Civil War Battle, Chickamauga Battlefield, Battle Map, History and Tour
Visiting the Chickamauga Battlefield Park can take more than a day. The National Park service has done a pretty good job curating the Visitor center and the park. The Chickamauga Battlefield is a historic site located in Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia, USA. It is the location of one of the bloodiest battles of the American Civil War, fought on September 18-20, 1863. The battle, fought between the Union and Confederate armies, resulted in a Confederate victory and significant casualties on both sides. The video titled "Chickamauga Battlefield History and Tour" will take viewers on a journey through the history of the Chickamauga Battlefield. There is a driving tour with 8 stops and many trails. There are a lot of monuments and information for the history buff. Now, for the Chickamauga Battle that took place, we go over a brief animated battle map and show you how it was fought during the American Civil War. We cover historical figures such as General Rosecrans, General Braxton Bragg, and General Thomas aka "The Rock of Chickamauga". Then I go over some of the history you can find at the visitor center and battlefield. This will include a visit to the Chickamauga Visitor Center, which houses a museum with artifacts from the battle, as well as a film that provides a detailed overview of the battle. Viewers will also see the battlefield itself, including the sites of some of the most intense fighting, such as Snodgrass Hill. Chickamauga was the first significant Confederate victory in the Western Theater of the war, and it helped prolong the war by keeping the Confederate Army of Tennessee in the Fight. Throughout the video, viewers will learn about the heroism and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought at Chickamauga, as well as the impact of the battle on the course of the Civil War. The video will also provide viewers with an understanding of the importance of preserving and interpreting the battlefield for future generations. In conclusion, the "Chickamauga Battlefield History and Tour" video is a great resource for anyone interested in American Civil War history. It provides a detailed look at one of the bloodiest battles of the war and offers a glimpse into the experiences of the soldiers who fought there. The video also highlights the importance of preserving the battlefield as a historic site, so that future generations can learn about this important moment in American history. I recommend allocating more than one day to view the entire battlefield. There are plenty of restaurants, hotels, and short-term scenic stays such as Airbnb's. So, if you're traveling through or dedicating time to stop by, Chickamauga is a place for the history buffs. Chapters 0:00 Intro 0:23 Battle Map and History of the Battle 3:37 Chickamauga and the Chattanooga National Military Park (Tour) 7:14 Traveling There and Outro
National Park Service Website
Basic Information about Americas oldest National Military Park. Maps and directions, and places to go within the park. Park information (address and phone number) including a Calander of activities.
Reading : Battle of Chickamauga
Instructions: Please read the following article as many times as needed (aloud and silent) before starting to go through the rest of the lesson pages. Understanding the content of this passage is very important since the following lesson activities will be all about this content. Feel free to print the article if needed.
Forum : Things to ponder about Chickamauga.
Instructions: This discussion forum will have questions for students to respond. Read the posted questions, and respond to each. Students are responsible for posting one initial and and two peer responses for each topic.
There are no forum posts.