APUSH: an enduring vision terms

Conscription

The practice of forcibly enlisting individuals into military service. During the Civil War, conscription was implemented by both the Union and Confederate governments to bolster their armies.

Legal Tender Act

A law passed in 1862 that authorized the issuance of paper currency, known as "greenbacks," as legal tender. This helped finance the war effort and stabilize the economy during the Civil War.

National Bank Act

Enacted in 1863, this law established a national banking system in the United States. It created a uniform currency and provided a stable banking system to support the Union's war financing.

Jefferson Davis

The President of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War. He played a significant role in leading the Confederacy and advocating for states' rights and secession from the Union.

Radical Republicans

A faction within the Republican Party that emerged during the Civil War. They advocated for the abolition of slavery and pushed for more aggressive policies towards the Confederacy during Reconstruction.

Anaconda Plan

A Union military strategy devised by General Winfield Scott. It aimed to blockade Southern ports and control the Mississippi River to suffocate the Confederacy economically and militarily.

First Battle of Bull Run

The first major battle of the Civil War, fought in July 1861. It ended in a Confederate victory and shattered the Union's hopes for a quick and easy war.

Robert E

A prominent Confederate general who commanded the Army of Northern Virginia. He is widely regarded as one of the most skilled military leaders of the Civil War.

Battle of Antietam

Fought in September 1862, it was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history. The Union victory provided a turning point in the war and led to the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Ulysses S

A Union general who played a crucial role in the Union's victory. He later became the 18th President of the United States and implemented Reconstruction policies.

William T

A Union general known for his "March to the Sea" campaign, which devastated the Confederate heartland. His tactics aimed to break the will of the Southern population and hasten the end of the war.

Battle of Shiloh

Fought in April 1862, it was a significant early battle that resulted in a Union victory. It demonstrated the high cost of the war and the determination of both sides.

"Cotton diplomacy"

The Confederate strategy of using cotton exports as leverage to gain foreign support during the Civil War. However, it ultimately failed to secure significant aid from European powers.

Emancipation Proclamation

Issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862, it declared that all slaves in Confederate territory were to be set free. While it did not immediately free any slaves, it shifted the Union's war aims towards ending slavery.

Freedmen's Bureau

Established in 1865, it was a federal agency that provided assistance to newly freed slaves and impoverished whites in the South. It played a crucial role in education, healthcare, and land redistribution.

Battle of Gettysburg

Fought in July 1863, it was a turning point in the war and the bloodiest battle of the conflict. The Union victory halted Confederate advances into the North and boosted Union morale.

Battle of Vicksburg

Fought in 1863, it was a Union victory that gave the Union control of the Mississippi River. This split the Confederacy in two and cut off vital supply lines.

Homestead Act

Passed in 1862, it provided free land to settlers willing to develop and improve it. This encouraged westward expansion and helped shape the development of the American West.

Morrill Land Grant Act

Enacted in 1862, it granted federal land to states for the establishment of agricultural and mechanical colleges. This expanded educational opportunities and promoted scientific and agricultural research.

New York City Draft Riots

A violent uprising in 1863 against the Union draft during the Civil War. It was fueled by racial tensions and opposition to conscription, resulting in numerous deaths and destruction.

United States Sanitary Commission

A volunteer organization established in 1861 to provide medical and sanitary assistance to Union soldiers. It played a crucial role in improving medical care and reducing mortality rates.

Women's National Loyal League

Founded in 1863 by suffragists Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, it advocated for the abolition of slavery and supported the Union cause during the Civil War.

Thirteenth Amendment

Ratified in 1865, it abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States. It was a significant step towards achieving equality and freedom for African Americans.

Appomattox Court House

A village in Virginia where General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant in April 1865, effectively ending the American Civil War. The Confederates were treated with respect after their surrender