Chains of Change Bell Ringer
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.3
CHAINS OF CAUSALITY
Analyzing Causation vs. Chronological Precedence in the History of Juneteenth
15-MIN BELL RINGER
Name: __________________________________________
Date: ____________
Period: _____
I. Archival Dispatch: Freedom Delayed
On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory free. However, in Texas—the westernmost Confederate state—this executive decree had no immediate effect. Isolated from Union battlefields, Texas became a safe haven for slaveholders fleeing advancing federal troops, bringing thousands of enslaved people with them. For over two years, life continued unchanged.
It was not until the Union won decisive campaigns—namely the Fall of Vicksburg (July 1863), which secured the Mississippi River, and finally General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox (April 1865)—that the military had the resources to push west. On June 19, 1865, General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston with 2,000 Union soldiers, issuing General Order No. 3 and finally enforcing the Proclamation by military force.
II. Causal Mapping: Catalyst or Precedent?
Event A Emancipation Decree Jan 1, 1863
Timeline
Event B Union Victories 1863 – 1865
Timeline
Event C Enforcement in Texas Jun 19, 1865
Connection 1: Did Event A directly cause Event C, or did it merely precede it?
DIRECT CAUSE MERE PRECEDENCE
Why?
Connection 2: Did Event B directly cause Event C, or did it merely precede it?
DIRECT CAUSE MERE PRECEDENCE
Why?
III. Evidence-Based Analysis
Analysis Challenge: Does a legal decree possess the inherent power to make historical events occur, or does real-world causation require physical enforcement? Argue whether the Emancipation Proclamation was the direct catalyst for Juneteenth, or whether it was merely an antecedent (preceding) event. Cite specific text evidence.
HISTORICAL ANALYSIS UNIT: CAUSAL CONNECTIONS
SHEET NO. 1865-B
Chains of Change Teacher Guide
TEACHER SUPPORT RESOURCE
CHAINS OF CAUSALITY
Answer Key & Instructional Facilitation Guide • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.3
ANSWER KEY
I. Pedagogical Context & Core Standard
This lesson focuses on CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.3 by challenging students to distinguish between Mere Precedence (an event that simply occurred earlier in time) and Direct Causation (an event that actively triggered or made a subsequent event possible). Students often mistake chronological sequencing for historical causality (the post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy).
II. Flowchart Mapping Solutions
Connection 1: Event A (Decree) to Event C (Enforcement) MERE PRECEDENCE
Exemplar Justification: The Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, but it was unable to enforce itself. Because Texas was physically isolated from Union control, the proclamation existed in law but did not cause the actual liberation of Texas slaves for over two years until military presence arrived.
Connection 2: Event B (Victories) to Event C (Enforcement) DIRECT CAUSE
Exemplar Justification: The Fall of Vicksburg and the surrender at Appomattox were direct causes because they physically broke the Confederate line and freed up the military resources (2,000 troops under General Granger) necessary to travel to and occupy Texas, directly forcing compliance.
III. Exemplar Essay Analysis Response
"While the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 established the legal precedent for freedom, it was merely an antecedent event rather than the direct catalyst for Juneteenth in Texas. The text explicitly states that 'isolated from Union battlefields, Texas became a safe haven for slaveholders... [and] life continued unchanged for over two years.' Real-world causation required physical enforcement. Therefore, military campaigns like the Fall of Vicksburg and Appomattox were the direct causes. They provided the Union military with the 'resources to push west.' General Granger’s subsequent arrival with 2,000 troops on June 19, 1865, directly caused the enforcement of freedom by physical, military force, illustrating that law without power is precedence, whereas enforcement is cause."
IV. Quick-Fire Discussion Guide
Debrief Prompt A
"If the Emancipation Proclamation had never been written, would Juneteenth have happened? Does an event have to be a direct cause to still be historically essential?"
Debrief Prompt B
"How does identifying direct causes versus precedence change the way we commemorate historical milestones like Juneteenth?"
HISTORICAL ANALYSIS UNIT: CAUSAL CONNECTIONS
TEACHER GUIDE NO. 1865-T
