Read this excerpt from a letter by civil war soldier sullivan ballou:

i have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which i am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. i know how strongly american civilization now leans on the triumph of the government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and sufferings of the revolution. and i am willing—perfectly willing—to lay down all my joys in this life, to maintain this government, and to pay that debt.

why is this letter an important primary source document?
it explains the cause of the american revolution.
it explains what he means by american civilization.
it gives insight into what the soldiers believed.
it shows where the key battles occurred.

It gives insight into what the soldiers believed.

This document gives the perspective of the Civil War soldier showing their reason for fighting.

Primary sources that highlight a citizen's perspective provide the common American's experience. The reasons for the Civil War are often portrayed from the perspective of the government and/or the wealthy. Soldiers typically have a different reason for fighting. The Civil War was about states' rights or keeping the Union together, but for this soldier it was about the legacy of the country and an attempt to protect that legacy.

here are some major conflicts i found. maybe pick one and do more research on it. (cause i ain't writing 6 paragraphs)

in 1877, the nez perce war took place.

1881 - president james garfield was assassinated.

1882 - the chinese exclusion act was passed.

1883 - a decision in the civil rights cases legalized racial segregation in the united states.

1887 - the dawes act was passed.

1893 - the panic of 1893 took place. (what a creative name)

and there are probably other topics you can find if you just search up "united states timeline," or "conflicts in the 19th century for america."

then once you find a topic you like find out how it affected the people of america and what not. (sorry if this feels a bit short changed, history was and never will be one of my strong topics)

6 pounds is equivalent to 92 ounces.

hope this !