Civil War & reconstruction

What event marked the beginning of the Civil War?

The secession of Southern states starting in 1860.

Where was the first provisional seat of the Confederate government located?

Montgomery, Alabama.

Why was Richmond chosen as the seat of the Confederate government?

It was a better-served city with ironworks and railway access, closer to enemy lines.

Which states were considered border states during the Civil War?

Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky, and Missouri.

What was the significance of Maryland during the Civil War?

It was strategically important, surrounded by the federal capital and Northern states.

What incident occurred in Baltimore in April 1861?

A riot where pro-secessionist mobs attacked Northern troops, resulting in casualties.

What action did Lincoln take to maintain control over Maryland?

He suspended habeas corpus along key routes to imprison politicians and newspaper editors.

What was Delaware's stance during the Civil War?

It narrowly voted to stay in the Union and did not abolish slavery.

What was Kentucky's initial position in the Civil War?

Kentucky tried to declare neutrality but was pressured by Lincoln to support the Union.

What were the three main theaters of the Civil War?

East of the Appalachians, West, and at sea.

What was Lincoln's strategy regarding Confederate trade with Britain?

He aimed to stop trade by blockading Confederate ports.

What was the outcome of the blockade on Confederate trade?

90% of the Confederacy's trade with Britain was stopped.

What was the significance of the Battle of Bull Run?

It was the first major battle of the Civil War, revealing that the South would not be easily defeated.

Who was the Confederate general that reinforced troops at Bull Run?

General Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson.

What realization did Northerners come to after the Battle of Bull Run?

They realized that the South would not be defeated easily.

What was the Confederate government's attempt to gain foreign support?

Jefferson Davis sought recognition from Britain as a sovereign state.

How did Britain respond to the Confederacy during the Civil War?

Britain recognized the CSA as a belligerent but did not provide formal recognition or support.

What was the impact of the Union blockade on the Confederacy?

It severely limited the Confederacy's ability to trade and receive supplies.

What was the strategic importance of the border states?

Both the Union and Confederacy sought their support due to their geographical and political significance.

What did Lincoln mean by losing Kentucky being equivalent to losing the whole game?

Kentucky's support was crucial for the Union's success in the war.

What was the Confederate government's attempt in Kentucky despite Unionist control?

They attempted to set up a Confederate government in Kentucky.

What was the Anaconda Plan?

A strategy proposed by Winfield Scott to blockade the Southern economy and control the Mississippi River.

Who was General McClellan?

A Union general known for his cautious approach and command of the Army of the Potomac from 1861 to 1862.

What was the significance of the Battle of Antietam?

It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, resulting in over 20,000 casualties.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg?

It was a significant Union victory that marked a turning point in the Civil War, with around 50,000 casualties.

What strategy did Ulysses S. Grant employ during the war?

He used aggressive and decisive tactics, including scorched earth policies to damage Southern resources.

What was the impact of the Union's control of the Mississippi River?

It split the Confederacy in two and was crucial for Union supply lines and troop movements.

What was the significance of Sherman's March to the Sea?

It aimed to demoralize the South by destroying infrastructure and resources, contributing to the Confederacy's decline.

How did the population differences affect the Civil War?

The North had a population of 18.3 million compared to the South's 12.2 million, providing a larger pool for military recruitment.

What was the economic advantage of the North during the Civil War?

The North had a more industrialized economy, producing the majority of the nation's firearms and railroads.

What role did railroads play in the Civil War?

Railroads facilitated rapid troop movements and supply transport, giving the North a strategic advantage.

What was the Confederate strategy in 1862 and 1863?

The Confederacy concentrated its forces on the Eastern front and attempted to invade Northern territory.

What was the significance of the 1860 Census for the Civil War?

It highlighted the demographic and economic disparities between the North and South, influencing military and political strategies.

What was the impact of anti-war sentiments in the North?

High casualties led to tensions and opposition against the war, complicating Northern military efforts.

How did Lincoln's military leadership evolve during the war?

He appointed Grant as commander of federal forces, shifting to a more aggressive military strategy.

What was the financial situation of the North compared to the South during the war?

The North spent approximately $3,366 million while the South spent about $3,286 million, despite having a smaller economy.

What was the role of the United States Military Railroad?

It coordinated the use of railroads for troop movements and supply logistics in favor of Northern campaigns.

What were the limitations of the Confederate economy during the war?

The South struggled with resource shortages and relied heavily on agriculture, which was less dynamic than the Northern industrial economy.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Chancellorsville?

The South won, but lost General Stonewall Jackson, a significant blow to their leadership.

What was the significance of the surrender at Appomattox?

It marked the end of the Civil War, with Lee surrendering to Grant after the fall of Richmond.

What was the impact of inflation on the Southern economy during the war?

The South faced severe inflation due to the circulation of unbacked paper money, undermining its economic stability.

How did the North's military strategy change over time?

The North shifted from limited engagements to a total war strategy aimed at destroying Southern resources and morale.

What was the role of Southern farmers during the war?

They provided food for the Confederate army but also faced challenges due to the war's impact on agriculture.

What was the significance of the 1862 revenue act?

It introduced an income tax in the North to help finance the war effort.

What was the impact of the Union's naval blockade on the South?

It severely restricted the South's ability to trade and resupply, contributing to economic hardship.

What was the effect of the Civil War on Southern morale?

The destruction caused by the war, especially during Sherman's campaign, significantly demoralized the Southern population.

What was the purpose of the federal Bureau of Internal Revenue created during the Civil War?

To collect domestic taxes.

How many federal taxmen were assessing incomes during the Civil War?

Approximately 4,000.

What tax did the Confederate States of America (CSA) introduce in 1863?

A tax-in-kind on farm produce.

What challenges did the CSA face in collecting taxes?

Resentful producers and complex storage and distribution issues.

Who was the banker employed by the North to sell bonds during the Civil War?

Jay Cooke.

What was the significance of Jay Cooke's bond sales strategy?

He appealed to patriotic support for the war, leading to significant bond sales.

What was the difference in credit between the North and the South during the Civil War?

The North had better credit due to a stronger tax base and resources.

What currency did the South print first during the Civil War?

Southern 'greybacks'.

What was the legal tender in the North during the Civil War?

Greenbacks.

What was 'cotton diplomacy'?

The South's strategy to use cotton exports to gain British support.

What was Britain's initial stance on the Civil War?

They viewed it as a conflict over tariffs.

What was the Morrill Tariff Act of March 1862?

It increased tariffs on imports from 14% to 26%.

What was the outcome of the South's cotton embargo in May 1861?

Britain looked elsewhere for cotton and did not support the CSA.

What was the significance of the Trent Affair?

It caused tensions between the US and Britain when the North detained Confederate diplomats.

What military strategy did the CSA employ regarding shipbuilding during the war?

They commissioned British shipbuilders to create ironclad ships.

What was the outcome of Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Courthouse?

It marked the end of the Civil War.

What was the first conscription act passed by the Confederate Congress?

The act passed in April 1862 to maximize recruitment.

What exemptions were allowed under the Confederate conscription act?

Exemptions for teachers and plantation owners with more than 20 slaves.

What was the Union's response to conscription?

They passed the Enrollment Act in March 1863.

What was the public reaction to the Union's conscription law?

It provoked intense opposition, including riots in New York.

What did President Lincoln do regarding habeas corpus during the war?

He suspended it in strategically important areas.

What was the Merryman Case?

A legal challenge to Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpus.

What type of courts were created due to the suspension of habeas corpus?

Military commissions that tried both soldiers and civilians.

Who was Clement Vallandigham?

A leader of the Peace Democrats (or 'Copperheads').

What was the impact of the Civil War on British cotton workers?

The war created significant economic strain on them.

What was the significance of the Russian Baltic Sea fleet's visit to the US in 1863?

It served as a threat to intervene in the Civil War.

What was the outcome of the CSA's expectation of British support?

Britain remained neutral and did not recognize the CSA as a state.

What led to the arrest of the individual in May 1863?

He was arrested for 'disloyal sentiments' after urging a crowd to 'hurl King Lincoln from his throne'.

What was the outcome of the military commission trial faced by the arrested individual?

He was convicted and exiled to the Confederacy by Lincoln.

What was the purpose of the martial law passed in February 1862?

To limit civil liberties during the war.

What role did Habeas corpus commissioners play in the Confederacy?

They decided whether civilian prisoners should be freed, sent for civilian trial, or detained indefinitely.

How did the North and South differ in their views of citizenship during the Civil War?

The North saw southerners as US citizens, while the South viewed the North as a separate state.

What was the Alien Enemies Act of 1861?

It required all southerners to declare themselves as Confederacy citizens or face arrest.

What did the Sequestration Act of 1861 allow?

It allowed the seizure of property from absentee unionists.

What was the purpose of the Impressment Act of 1863?

It gave Confederate armies the power to seize supplies at lower than market prices.

What did the Tax-in-Kind Act of 1863 require?

It required state officials to collect 10% of certain crops to support the war effort.

What was the Richmond Bread Riot of April 1863?

A protest organized primarily by women against food shortages and economic hardship.

What were the primary reasons for the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863?

To undermine the Confederate economy, recruit black soldiers, and shift the war aims towards abolition.

How did the Emancipation Proclamation aim to attack the Southern economy?

By offering freedom to slaves in states still in rebellion, encouraging them to flee to the North.

What was Lincoln's justification for the Emancipation Proclamation?

He described it as a 'fit and necessary war measure' to suppress the rebellion.

How many black soldiers and sailors were recruited as a result of the Emancipation Proclamation?

Approximately 180,000 black soldiers and 10,000 black sailors.

What shift did the Emancipation Proclamation create in the North's war objectives?

It transformed the conflict into a crusade for the abolition of slavery.

Why was the Emancipation Proclamation significant in preventing foreign intervention?

It made it less likely for Britain and France to support the Confederacy as the Union committed to ending slavery.

Which states were intentionally excluded from the Emancipation Proclamation?

The border states of Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky, Missouri, and parts of occupied Louisiana and Tennessee.

What was the primary concern regarding the total ban on slavery?

It might be overturned by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional.

What was the estimated number of slaves heading for northern camps after the Emancipation Proclamation?

500,000 to 700,000.

What significant legal change occurred in March 1864?

The repeal of the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act.

What did the 13th Amendment accomplish?

It abolished slavery in all states.

When did the 13th Amendment become law?

In December 1865.

What social division existed in the Confederate states regarding slavery?

3.5 million people in the South, with one in three being slaves.

How many free blacks were recorded in the Confederacy according to the 1860 census?

130,000 free blacks.

What was the primary economic base of the Southern economy in 1861?

Agriculture, particularly sugar, tobacco, and cotton.

What percentage of the world's cotton was produced by the South?

Two-thirds of the world's cotton.

What was a major consequence of the North's naval blockade during the Civil War?

The South could not export cotton or import manufactured goods.