Process
Let's Begin the Journey!
This WebQuest will ask you to write diary entries with three purposes. However, to begin we must understand John Wilkes Booth.
Process 1
Although Booth actually had a diary during his escape, eighty-six pages are missing according to the FBI. This is where you come in. Please take a look at one of Booth's diary entries down below, to get a feeling about who he was. Also consider the websites provided to get a deeper understanding of his family background. This will help you grasp who he was and perhaps why he made the decision to kill the President.
Getting Into the Mad Mind of an Assassin
Be sure to interact with your classmates. You may want to discuss your different findings!
Process 2
Now that you have a better understanding of who Booth was, it is time to find out where he went and who he met after leaving the theater. You will need a diary entry for at least each day Booth was alive after he attacked Lincoln. Diary entries do not need to be much more than a half a page long, but they will need to encompass accurate descriptions of each of the landmarks. Also include a hand drawn picture for each of your diary entries. You may want to draw the locations that Booth stopped at. Have Fun and Be Creative!
Please begin by reading this Escape Route Article. Not only is it fascinating but it covers everywhere he went with clear directions.
Next take a look at these websites to find more about where he visited. Remember not much information is presented for all landmarks, because many places are not privately owned. However, do not be afraid to use your imagination to paint a picture of what happened.
Remember to discuss your findings with your classmates!
Process 3
Your stay as John Wilkes Booth is not finished yet!
Before you begin writing your diary entries that describe your character, and the locations on your escape, remember that the year is 1865 and the country just recently exited a catastrophic Civil War. There are still tensions between the North and South and it is up to you to write about the Southern point of view through Booth's diary.
Look at the Causes of the Civil War to decipher what you think made the gray and the blue have opposite points of view.
Civil War Causes The Southern View More Causes
Now that you have done enough research it is time to go back in time and write as John Wilkes Booth. You have done the work to properly prepare you for this task. Make sure to incorporate all of the knowledge that you have gained on:
1. John Wilkes Booth
2. His Escape
3. Southern Feelings
Good Luck and Happy Writing! Sic Semper Tyrannis! look it up