Lesson Plan: Media Literacy and the Lost Cause Narrative
Grades 7-12
What happens when history is written not by the victors, but the losers? After the Civil War, the United States began the difficult process of reuniting and healing after four years of brutal conflict and centuries of Black enslavement. During this process of Reconstruction, the question arose for former Confederates of how to remember the Civil War and its causes. In an attempt to justify their actions, white Southerners created a historical narrative of the Civil War known as the Lost Cause. This romanticized version of historical events has since been largely discredited by historians. Nonetheless, the impact of this collective regional memory remains. In this activity, students will apply a fact-checking process to the six key tenets of the Lost Cause narrative.
Sign up to instantly access
free resources for teachers
With 300+ short-form documentaries and dozens of educator-approved lesson plans, Retro Report brings history to life in your classroom.
Register for free to access classroom materials and student activities.
Already have an account? Sign In.
Thank you for registering!
An account was already registered with this email. Please check your inbox for an authentication link.
