This particular lesson is the first of a six-lesson unit from BetterLessons.com. The unit explores the causes, events, and consequences of the American Civil War. The unit begins with the lesson “a Nation Divided” that lays the groundwork for a discussion about the outbreak of the war by looking at the economic, geographic, and cultural differences between the North and South during the 1800s. Based on this particular 7th grade, a majority of the students are beginning English Language Learners and Special Education. The reading material has been simplified to a 5th grade level to challenge but not confuse them. *Students with disabilities in this class will need various modifications such as simplified text, visuals with vocabulary, and guided prompting. This particular lesson is comprised of skeletal guided notes, graphic organizers and visuals to differentiate instruction to meet the diverse needs of all learners.