Civil War Events and Concepts

Who led the Union troops on Sherman's March to the Sea?

General William Tecumseh Sherman

What was the starting point of Sherman's March?

The captured city of Atlanta

Who led the Union campaign known as the March to the Sea?

General William Tecumseh Sherman.

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

It began in Atlanta and ended in the port city of Savannah.

What is the definition of 'Total War' as practiced by Sherman?

A military strategy that targets not only enemy soldiers but also the civilian infrastructure, such as farms, railroads, and factories, that supports the war effort.

What were the primary goals of Sherman's March to the Sea?

To destroy Confederate morale, cripple their war effort by cutting supply lines, and demonstrate that the Confederate government could not protect its citizens.

Why was the city of Savannah spared from destruction by Sherman?

The citizens of Savannah agreed to surrender peacefully.

What did Sherman offer to President Lincoln as a 'Christmas gift' in 1864?

The city of Savannah.

What are 'scorched-earth' tactics?

A military tactic involving the burning of buildings, crops, and the destruction of private property to deny resources to the enemy.

Where did General Robert E. Lee officially surrender to Ulysses S. Grant?

Appomattox Court House, Virginia.

What were the terms offered by Grant to the Confederate soldiers at Appomattox?

Generous terms that allowed soldiers to keep their horses for spring planting and return home without fear of imprisonment or execution.

What was the significance of the surrender at Appomattox?

It marked the end of the main Confederate fighting force, the Army of Northern Virginia.

Who assassinated Abraham Lincoln?

John Wilkes Booth.

When and where was Abraham Lincoln assassinated?

April 14, 1865, at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.

What phrase did John Wilkes Booth shout after shooting Lincoln, and what does it mean?

He shouted 'Sic Semper Tyrannis!', which is Latin for 'Thus always to tyrants.'

What happened to John Wilkes Booth after the assassination?

He was killed while resisting arrest in a tobacco barn in Virginia.

What famous remark did Edwin Stanton make upon Lincoln's death?

'Now he belongs to the ages.'

How did Lincoln's assassination affect the national policy toward the South during Reconstruction?

It caused the national mood to shift away from Lincoln's desire for 'charity for all' toward harsher policies for the South.

What did the military order 'Forage Liberally' mean during Sherman's march?

It was an order for the army to depend on local farms and stores for food without paying for them.

What was the primary purpose of the 'scorched-earth' policy?

To destroy the resources of an invading force or the enemy, thereby breaking their will to continue fighting.

What was the context of the phrase 'With malice toward none'?

It was a line from Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, expressing his desire for reconciliation and peace.

What does the term 'Appomattox' symbolize in the context of the Civil War?

It symbolizes the final surrender of the Confederacy and the end of the Civil War.

What was the mood of the Union soldiers during the surrender at Appomattox?

Primary sources describe a sense of respect and solemnity.