Chapter 16: The Civil War

Comprehensive flashcards covering key figures, battles, strategies, and facts of the American Civil War based on the Chapter 16 study guide.

Who was the president of the Confederate States of America?

Jefferson Davis

Which army was commanded by George McClellan?

Army of the Potomac

What were the two primary reasons the Union wanted control of the Mississippi River?

To split the Confederacy in two and to keep the Rebels from using the river to ship goods and troops

What was the Massachusetts 54th?

The African American regiment that showed bravery at Fort Wagner

What was the rate of inflation in the South during the war?

$$9000\%$$

What three factors contributed to Abraham Lincoln's re-election in 1864?

The Union took control of the Gulf of Mexico, General Sheridan forced the Rebels out of the Shenandoah Valley, and General William Tecumseh Sherman captured Atlanta

What was Abraham Lincoln's primary goal as president?

To preserve the Union

Which five states were considered border states during the Civil War?

Kentucky, Delaware, Maryland, Missouri, and West Virginia

Where was the first official battle of the Civil War?

Bull Run

What did Lincoln hope to accomplish by blockading Southern ports?

To prevent supplies from coming in from other countries and to prevent the exportation of cotton

What was the Emancipation Proclamation?

An announcement that all slaves living in states in rebellion were free

What three methods did both the North and South use to finance the war?

They printed more money, borrowed money, and raised taxes

Why did Lincoln feel he could count on the military leadership of Ulysses S. Grant?

He was a hard fighter

What were the advantages held by the North during the war?

Larger population, more industry, more food, the leadership of Abraham Lincoln, better banking system, a Navy, and more railroad

What was the Confederate strategy for winning the war?

To wear the North down until they tired of fighting

Why was George McClellan fired by Lincoln?

He often failed to engage the enemy

What officially banned slavery in the United States?

13th Amendment

In military terms, what is entrenchment?

To be placed in a strong defensive position

What were the positive consequences of the Civil War?

Millions of African Americans were freed from slavery, the federal government was strengthened, and the Union was saved

What were the disadvantages of the Confederate States?

Less men, less food, less industry, less railroads, no navy, and less money

What nickname did Brigadier Thomas Jackson receive for his stand at Henry Hill?

Stonewall Jackson

Where was the Confederate capital located?

Richmond, Virginia

Why did Lincoln hesitate to abolish slavery altogether at the start?

He feared that if he did, the border states would likely secede

Who was the military leader of the Army of Northern Virginia?

Robert E. Lee

What were the key details of the Battle of Gettysburg?

It was Robert E. Lee (Confederates) vs. George Meade (Union) in Pennsylvania; it lasted three days, resulted in a Union win, and was the deadliest battle of the Civil War

Who was Clara Barton?

A nurse who worked on the battlefields and later founded the American Red Cross

What caused a riot in New York City in 1863?

Poor working class citizens opposed new draft laws and the emancipation of slaves

Which two nations did Confederates hope to form an alliance with?

Britain and France

What is the definition of 'total war'?

To destroy or confiscate anything of use to the enemy, whether military or civilian

What is a 'casualty' in war?

Men who are no longer able to actively serve, including those dead, injured, or captured

What right did Lincoln suspend in the border states to prevent treason?

The right to a trial by jury (habeas corpus)

What nickname did Ulysses S. Grant receive after the Battle of Fort Donelson?

Unconditional Surrender

What were the effects of the Emancipation Proclamation?

Thousands of slaves ran to Union lines, Britain and France became unwilling to help the South, the South grew more determined, and prejudice increased among Northerners opposed to freeing slaves

Who did Lincoln defeat in the 1864 presidential election?

George McClellan

According to the 'Gettysburg Address', what occurred 'four score and seven years ago'?

The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson

Approximately how many deaths were caused by the Civil War?

$$620,000$$

What sentiment did Lincoln express in his second inaugural address?

Forgiveness towards the South and the need to heal the nation

After which event did Lee tell his men, 'All this has been my fault…It is I who has lost this fight'?

Pickett's Charge

How long did the Civil War last?

Nearly $4$ years

What did the border states have in common?

They were slave states that stayed loyal to the Union

How were rich individuals typically able to avoid the draft?

They could hire a substitute or pay the government $300$

What was the age and profession of the average Civil War soldier?

$25$ years old and a farmer

What did the Union offer to encourage new enlistments in the army?

A bounty or payment

By how much did the Union blockade reduce Southern trade?

It cut Southern trade by $\frac{2}{3}$

What was considered the turning point of the Civil War?

Battle of Gettysburg

What is an ironclad?

A warship equipped with iron plating for protection

What effect did the war have on the Northern economy?

Manufacturers and farmers made record profits by meeting wartime demands

What roles did women take on during the war?

Office workers, teachers, farm managers, factory workers, and salesclerks

What event took place at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865?

Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant

How did African Americans contribute to the war effort besides serving as soldiers?

They served as guides to Union troops and as spies

What were the advantages of the Confederates?

Better leaders and soldiers, knowledge of the land, defensive position (not having to conquer), and higher morale

By what nicknames were Northerners and Southerners referred?

Northerners were 'Yankees' and Southerners were 'Rebels'

What was the significance of the Battle of Vicksburg?

Ulysses S. Grant won and took complete control over the Mississippi River

What was the South's primary goal in fighting?

To be recognized as an independent nation

Who were the 'Peace Democrats'?

Northerners who wanted to compromise a peace with the South

What were the starting and ending points of Sherman's 'March to the Sea'?

Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia

What was the purpose of the Gettysburg Address?

To dedicate a cemetery to the men who lost their lives during the battle

What were the disadvantages for the Union in the war?

Inexperienced soldiers, a divided population, lack of familiarity with the land, and the need to invade a large territory

How did many all-black regiments respond to receiving unequal pay?

They fought without any pay at all

What were the terms of surrender at Appomattox Court House?

Confederate soldiers laid down their arms and went home; they could keep their horses and received $3$ days worth of food

Which battle marked the single bloodiest day in U.S. history?

Battle of Antietam

What activities composed a typical day for a Civil War soldier?

Camp duties (tending horses, cooking, building roads, guard duty), drills, and diversions like sports, writing letters, or gambling

What became of Robert E. Lee's plantation after the war?

It became Arlington National Cemetery

What was the name of the infamous Confederate prison camp in Georgia?

Andersonville

What was responsible for $\frac{2}{3}$ of all Civil War deaths?

Disease