Are you looking for some Civil War maps and worksheets?
Maps are an effective way to show students key historical concepts. That is IF your students can actually read them. Many students struggle with fully understanding both modern and historical maps.
Before you download the 5 free Civil War map worksheets, here are some tips for success.
Tips for Analyzing Civil War Maps with Students
First, use online maps.
Many maps have tiny details. Analyzing maps online allows students to zoom in. I recommend having a mini-lesson showing them exactly how to make the map take up the full screen, zoom in, zoom out, and move around.
Since your students will be using a computer or tablet to view the maps, I’ve formatted the worksheets using Google Slides.
Second, teach your students basic map skills.
The student worksheets expect students to know some map terms.
Before analyzing the maps, teach students about compass roses, legends, and scales. If you need help, these short videos are great:
Third, analyze the maps in a step-by-step way.
Students can easily get overwhelmed if you put a map in front of them and ask something like “What does this map tell you about the Civil War?”
I’ve found it’s better to have students:
- first observe the map,
- then try to make sense of it,
- and finally use it as historical evidence.
I’ve paired all 5 maps with the “Analyze a Map” worksheet from the National Archives. I like this worksheet because it breaks the analysis down into those bite-sized pieces.
Finally, please don’t ask students to analyze ALL the maps in one lesson.
In the Google Slides I’ve created, I do have all the maps in one presentation. This is just to make it easier for you to see all the maps and worksheets.
I highly recommend analyzing only one map in a lesson.
To do this, make a copy of the presentation. Then delete all the slides except for the map and worksheet for one lesson.
Now, without further ado, here are 5 Civil War maps, worksheets to analyze them, and tips for how to use them in the classroom.
1. Free States and Slave States in 1861
Description
This map shows which areas of the United States did and did not allow slavery between January 1861 to February 1861. On February 4 1861, the Confederate States of America was created. Territories and states which had not specifically banned slavery are colored red/pink. Also, the table at the bottom left shows the number of free and slave states over time. You can see how the number of free and slave states changed from 1789 to 1861 by viewing this gif.
Why I Chose This Map
This map shows students how slavery was legal in the Southern part of the United States and illegal in the North. This sectional difference was a major cause of the Civil War.
Example Lesson Focus
Where was slavery legal in 1861? Where was it illegal?
2. 1860 Presidential Election Results
Description
The numbers on this map indicate electoral votes cast by each state. Red denotes states won by Lincoln, green by Breckinridge, orange by Bell, and blue by Douglas. Candidates needed 152 electoral votes to win.
Why I Chose This Map
This election was the straw that broke the camel’s back. The map and charts help students see how people voted based on sectional lines.
Example Lesson Focus
What were the results of the 1860 Presidential Election?
3. Boundary Between the Union and the Confederacy 
Description
This National Geographic map shows the boundary between the Union and the Confederacy. South Carolina left the Union first. Other states in the Deep South (dark gray) seceded next. The debate in the Upper South (light gray) lasted longer, but by the middle of 1861, they too, seceded. Lincoln knew that the Border States (light blue), where slavery was permitted, were crucial to the Union cause. The keep them in the Union (dark blue), he initially refused to free enslaved people as part of the war effort.
Why I Chose This Map
I like this map because it clearly shows the boundary between the Union and the Confederacy. I also like that it shows students where the territories were located.
Example Lesson Focus
Which states made up the Union? Which states made up the Confederacy? Where was the boundary between the Union and the Confederacy?
4. Locations of Important Civil War Battles
Description
This map from West Point shows the location of major Civil War battles. Union troops are shown in blue while Confederate troops are shown in red. The arrows show the troops’ movements.
Why I Chose This Map
As students are learning about Civil War battles, it would be helpful to keep this map handy. This will allow them to better visualize the distances between the locations and where most battles were fought.
Example Lesson Focus
Where were major Civil War battles fought on Union territory? Where were major Civil War battles fought on Confederate territory?
5. Underground Railroad: Routes to Freedom
Description
This National Geographic map shows The Underground Railroad, a network of people working to bring enslaved people from the southern United States to freedom in the northern U.S. and Canada.
Why I Chose This Map
I like this map because it shows that enslaved people used a variety of paths to escape slavery.
Example Lesson Focus
What was the underground railroad and where was it?
Happy Teaching!
I hope your students have a lot of fun and success with analyzing these maps. And I hope they make your life a little easier, too!
Access the Free Civil War Maps and Worksheets (Google Slides)
I’ve taken the “Analyze a Map” worksheet and formatted it with text boxes in Google Slides. I’ve also included links to each online map so your students can easily access them.
Get the Free Google Slides for these Civil War Maps and worksheets.
Thanks! Very helpful materials!