We began a new unit covering the Civil War and Reconstruction from the 1850's-1870's. We read that slavery remained a contentious issue even as the US approached its 70th year of independence and that the debate over abolition continued into the mid 19th century. This resulted in civil War because the North and South were unable to reconcile their differences. We began to read about the platform of the Free Soil Party who believed that new states and territories ought to be free of slavery. Ben's attention and engagement was sporadic and remained primarily dependent upon prompts and supports.