Civil War and Antebellum Era: Key Events, Figures, and Strategies

Westward Expansion

When settlers began claiming/purchasing major pieces of land in the beginning prior to the outbreak of war. They typically wanted this land due to economic opportunities.

The Compromise of 1850

A series of acts passed by the U.S congress hoped to settle the strife between opponents of slavery in the north and slave owners in the south. These laws helped delay the civil war for years.

The Fugitive Slave Act

Northern states should enforce the idea that slaves moving to the North for freedom should be taken back to their plantation/owner in the south. Judges were given incentives to find slaves guilty.

Uncle Tom's Cabin

Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote the novel which went on to be the most influential novel of the 19th century, and one of the best selling works in history. The story showed the brutality of slavery and personified slaves.

The Underground Railroad

People opened houses to runaway slaves - trying to get them to Canada.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

This act was passed by Congress in 1854. This provision stated that all questions of slavery in the new territories were to be decided by the settlers rather than by congress.

Bleeding Kansas

Between 1854-1859 the Kansas territory became a war zone as pro slavery and anti slavery forces poured into the area.

Dred Scott Decision

Dred Scott, a Missouri slave, traveled to free Illinois and Wisconsin with his master. In 1850 a circuit agreed with Scott. His master's estate filed an appeal, claiming that Scott couldn't sue given that he had no rights.

John Brown's raid of Harpers Ferry

He and his followers attempted to seize a U.S arsenal at Harpers Ferry. His plan was to arm slaves and lead revolts. Instead of leaving a revolution, he found himself surrounded by citizens and the local militia.

The election of 1860

Lincoln collected less than 40% of popular vote nationwide yet he won. The Republican Party was created in 1856, and that is the 2nd election they are in.

Regional differences between North and South

NORTH had more industries and manufacturers, while the SOUTH was thriving from farms and slave trade. City vs Rural.

Significance of 1619 and 1865

These years are the span of slavery from when they entered in 1619 to when the 13th amendment was set in 1865.

The 13th Amendment

The 13th amendment ended slavery. Slavery ideas were removed from the constitution due to this, everyone is equal.

The cotton gin

Cotton was a large cash crop in the south. Eli Whitney's cotton gin improved profitability of cotton. As the demand for cotton increased, so did demand for slave labor.

Harriet Tubman

Former slave who became a 'conductor' on the Underground Railroad. Civil war scout and spy. Later a champion of women's suffrage.

Abraham Lincoln's views on slavery

Lincoln thought slavery was wrong and as a man thought it should be abolished, but as a politician didn't want to abolish it at first.

First state to secede

South Carolina

Fort Sumter

Federal troops inside fort refused to surrender the fort to South Carolina; after 2 days, Fort Sumter surrendered to the Confederacy.

Advantages of the North

Better material, larger population, industrial system, and transportation system.

Disadvantages of the North

Small army at first, needing money for war.

Advantages of the South

Fighting a defensive war, commitment to war, and possibility of European help.

Disadvantages of the South

Small population, less materials.

Abraham Lincoln

President of U.S. in 1860 who abolished slavery and was Commander in Chief of the Union.

Jefferson Davis

President of the Confederacy who served in the Mexican-American War.

U.S. Grant

General of the Union and head of all Union armies; later became President of the U.S.

William Tecumseh Sherman

General of the Union known for his 'march to sea' and for his goal of total war.

Robert E. Lee

Confederate general who surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865.

The Emancipation Proclamation

Initiated the process of freeing enslaved people, which began in January; helped the Union by allowing freed black men to join the cause.

Women's roles during the war

Women held positions that men left vacant, especially becoming prominent in the nursing field.

Average Civil War soldier

Typically average poor men who volunteered.

The Anaconda Strategy

Presented by Winfield Scott, it aimed to control the Mississippi River and split the Confederacy in half to weaken it economically.

Strategy of Attrition

Adopted by Lee to win the war by making it inconvenient and expensive for the North, causing casualties and expenses.

First Bull Run

Union forces were doing well until Confederates counterattacked, resulting in a Confederate victory and considered the first major battle.

Shiloh

Bloodiest day in America at that point, a Union victory that gained control over the Tennessee River to the Mississippi River, with over 20,000 deaths.

Antietam

Lee invaded northern states; it was the deadliest single day of the Civil War, resulting in a Union victory and the Emancipation Proclamation.

Gettysburg

Deadliest of all Civil War battles with 51,000 casualties; it was a Union victory and marked the end of Lee's attacks on northern soil.

Chattanooga

Gateway to the Deep South; Grant attacked and achieved a Union victory.

Sherman's March to Sea

Sherman faced off against Confederates, marching through Atlanta and destroying everything in his way, aiming for total war.

Appomattox

Lee surrendered to Grant at ____ Courthouse on April 9, 1865, realizing the issues of continuing to fight.

The Election of 1864

Lincoln was reelected, continuing the Union's determination to abolish slavery and win the war.

Technological influence on the War

New technologies transformed the nature of combat, notably the introduction of repeating weapons, hot air balloons, ironclad ships, torpedoes, railroads, and telegraphs.