In summary, the goal of my unit is two-fold. I want my students to know the timeline of the Civil War as described in the National Standards for United States History. This timeline is the backbone of the study as it provides each student with an overview of the war and provides the means by which he or she can make personal and content connections. Secondly, I want them to select and read quality works of literature set during the Civil War, the “his stories and her stories.” I want my students to hold these stories in their hearts, to pass them on, and to keep the memories of those who lived during this very difficult chapter in our history alive. On November 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln spoke at Gettysburg to “dedicate a portion of the field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that this nation might live.” He emphasized that, “It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.” Some of this unfinished work is the peaceful resolution of conflicts. The conflicts of people that lead to war are not diminishing, even today. It is for us, the teachers, to ensure our students with the means of learning how to resolve their conflicts and work toward peace. Toward that end, Lincoln’s meaning will be more clear and genuine for our students when they learn of the diverse people who have lived before us, who worked hard to guarantee that government of the people, by the people, for the people does not perish from this earth.