Difficult Choices: Lee's Dilemma

This handout requires users to think about the difficult decision that faced Robert E. Lee at the onset of the Civil War – take the command of the Union Army, or, fight for the Confederacy? Students then must relate a similar experience where he or she had to choose one side or the other and the associated opportunity cost.

Step 1: Introduction (10–15 minutes)

Begin with a class discussion on the idea of loyalty. Ask:

• What does it mean to be loyal to a country? A community? A family?
• What happens when those loyalties are in conflict?

Then, introduce Robert E. Lee’s dilemma in 1861: whether to fight for the Union or for his home state of Virginia after it seceded from the Union.

Step 2: Historical Background (10 minutes)

Provide a short reading or lecture summarizing Lee’s military background, the secession of Virginia, and the offer he received to lead the Union Army. Explain that although Lee was against secession, he could not bring himself to fight against his home state. You can read our biography on Robert E. Lee here.

Step 3: Student Writing Activity (20–25 minutes)

Prompt students to reflect on a time they faced a personal decision between two groups or friends. Have them respond to the following:

Prompt: At the onset of the American Civil War, Robert E. Lee faced one of the hardest decisions of his life: Accept the commission of Commander of the U.S. Army and fight against his home state of Virginia, which had seceded, or accept the commission of Commander of the Confederate Army and fight against his home country. Although Lee did not support secession, he chose to command the Confederate Army rather than wage war against his home state.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you had to make a choice to join one group or another? How did you decide? Were there any consequences of not choosing the other side? Detail your decision below:

Step 4: Sharing and Discussion (10–15 minutes)

Allow students to share their reflections in pairs or small groups. Invite volunteers to share with the whole class if comfortable. Then, guide a discussion:

• How did your decisions compare with Lee’s?
• Is it ever possible to choose both sides? Why or why not?
• How do our personal values affect the choices we make?