This album is designed for high school and middle school students and their teachers, providing resources to explore the authenticity of Civil War photography. As one of the first wars captured on camera, photography in the Civil War introduced a new way of relaying information to the public about the war. However, the time-consuming process of taking and producing photographs led photographers like Alexander Gardner and Matthew Brady to rearrange bodies and recreate battle scenes.

In this album, students will critically examine these photographs and discuss whether such tactics influence our perception of history. Additionally, the album offers an opportunity to explore early examples of photo manipulation, illustrating that the practice of altering images has historical roots dating back to the early days of photography.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Investigate the authenticity of Civil War photographs.
• Evaluate the historical implications of Civil War photographic manipulation.

Recommended Inquiry Strategy: 

When studying the accompanying photographs, it is recommended that teachers follow the Teacher's Guide for Analyzing Photographs & Prints: Observe, Reflect, Question, Further Investigation. When observing, have students identify and note details. When reflecting, encourage students to generate and test hypotheses about the image. When questioning, have students ask questions to lead to more observations and reflections. Encourage students to go back and forth between these tasks as there is no correct order. Finally, help students identify questions appropriate for further investigation and to develop a research strategy for finding answers. Additional links are provided that include information and resources to help students further investigate the selected photographs.

Connections to Today: 

This lesson helps students contextualize photo manipulation, understanding it as both a historical and contemporary phenomenon. In an era where digital images and social media dominate our daily lives, understanding how photographs can be manipulated is more relevant than ever. Just as Civil War photographers made choices that influenced how events were perceived during the Civil War, today’s media creators often navigate similar ethical dilemmas regarding authenticity and representation.