Key Terms from the Civil War Era

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to the Civil War era, including definitions and explanations of significant concepts.

Abolitionist

A person who wanted to eliminate or 'abolish' slavery.

Antebellum

A term meaning 'before war', often used to describe the United States before the Civil War.

Amendment

A formal change made in a document or law by editing, deleting, and/or adding to the existing document.

Anaconda Plan

Union attempt to capture the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, blockade all Southern ports, and control the Mississippi River.

Blockade

Ships, troops, or aircraft may be used to prevent people, supplies, or other materials from leaving or entering an enemy city or country.

Border States

During the U.S. Civil War, the states of Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri remained in the Union when Southern states seceded.

Civil War

War between two different groups of citizens of the same country.

Confederate States of America

A group of 11 Southern states that seceded from the United States in 1860–61 and fought against the Union.

Conscription

Also called the draft, this is the act of requiring people to serve in a nation’s military service.

Cotton Diplomacy

The phrase describing Southerners’ belief that British and French demand for their cotton would cause those countries to support the Confederacy.

Disenfranchise

Taking away someone’s right to vote.

Emancipation

The act of freeing someone from another person’s control, as in freeing someone from slavery.

Habeas Corpus

This guarantees that citizens cannot be jailed unless correct legal procedures are followed.

Popular Sovereignty

The belief that the political power of a nation or state comes from the consent of the people.

Union

The term used to describe the Northern and Western states that fought against the Confederacy during the U.S. Civil War.

Total War

The idea of demoralizing an enemy by crippling their ability to fight by destroying anything useful to them.

Secede

To leave a group, or withdraw.

Contraband

During the U.S. Civil War, a black slave who escaped or was transported across Union lines.

Western Theater

The area of the American Civil War encompassing major military operations in several Southern states.

Eastern Theater

The area of the Civil War consisting of major military and naval operations in several key states.

Sectionalism

Concerns for regional needs or interests.

Hardtack

A saltless hard biscuit, bread, or cracker.

Infantry

Soldiers that fight and travel by foot.

Ironclad

A warship that is fully covered and protected by iron cladding.

Rebel

A nickname given to people in the South supporting the Confederate States.

Yankee

A nickname given to people in the North supporting the Union states.

Tariff

A tax on imported goods.

Reconstruction

The rebuilding period from 1865–77 following the Civil War, during which the Confederate states were controlled by the federal government.

Proclamation

A formal public statement.

Amnesty

An official pardon for people who have been convicted of political offenses.