Prevent Further Effusion of Blood: The Surrender at Appomattox and Respect

In this lesson, students will read about the surrender at Appomattox between Generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee. They will learn about how the two men acted with respect despite their differences and be able to apply this lesson to their own lives.

Walk-In-The-Shoes Questions
As you read, imagine you are the protagonist.

• What challenges are you facing?
• What fears or concerns might you have?
• What may prevent you from acting in the way you ought?

Observation Questions

• What was Ulysses S. Grant’s role in the surrender at Appomattox? How did it differ from Robert E. Lee’s?
• What was Grant’s purpose?
• What did Grant do at the surrender that showed his respect?
• How did Grant’s purpose affect his role as General-in-Chief of the Union army?

Discussion Questions
Discuss the following questions with your students.

• What is the historical context of the narrative?
• What historical circumstances presented a challenge to the protagonist?
• How and why did the individual exhibit a moral and/or civic virtue in facing and overcoming the challenge?
• How did the exercise of the virtue benefit civil society?
• How might exercise of the virtue benefit the protagonist?
• What might the exercise of the virtue cost the protagonist?
• Would you react the same under similar circumstances? Why or why not?
• How can you act similarly in your own life? What obstacles must you overcome in order to do so?

• Students will analyze the relationship between Grant and Lee at the surrender at Appomattox.
• Students will understand the purpose of being respectful even when you disagree with another person.
• Students will determine ways in which they can be respectful in their own lives.