The Civil War

Flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to the American Civil War.

Abraham Lincoln

The President of the United States sworn in on March 4, 1861, during a pivotal moment in American history.

Confederacy

A coalition of Southern states that seceded from the Union.

Fort Sumter

The site where Confederate forces fired the first shots of the Civil War on April 12, 1861.

Total War

A military strategy in which an army seeks to destroy not just the enemy's army but also its resources and will to fight.

Vicksburg

A strategic Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River, its capture in 1863 granted Union control of the river.

13th Amendment

The amendment ratified in 1865 that formally abolished slavery in the United States.

General William T. Sherman

A Union general known for his march through Georgia, employing a strategy of total war.

Robert E. Lee

The commander of the Confederate Army whose leadership spanned much of the Civil War.

Reconciliation

The process of restoring friendly relations, especially following a conflict; displayed by Union General after the war.

Manpower

The supply of people who can work; crucial resource for both the Union and Confederacy during the Civil War.