The Civil War

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to the Civil War.

Civil War

A conflict fought in the United States from 1861 to 1865 between the North (Union) and the South (Confederacy) primarily over issues of slavery and states' rights.

Confederate States of America

A confederation formed by eleven Southern states that seceded from the Union in 1861.

Emancipation Proclamation

An executive order issued by President Lincoln on January 1, 1863, declaring all slaves in Confederate-held territory to be free.

Total War

A military strategy that involves using any means necessary to achieve victory, including targeting civilian infrastructure and morale.

Abolitionists

Individuals who sought to end slavery in the United States, advocating for the rights and freedom of enslaved people.

Fort Sumter

A federal fort located in Charleston, South Carolina, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired.

Battle of Gettysburg

A significant battle in July 1863 marked as a turning point in the Civil War, where Union forces defeated the Confederate army.

Draft

A system for requiring citizens to join their country's armed forces, implemented during the Civil War for both the Union and Confederacy.

Gettysburg Address

A famous speech delivered by President Lincoln in November 1863 at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery, emphasizing the principles of human equality.

Anaconda Plan

Union strategy during the Civil War that aimed to blockade southern ports and capture the Mississippi River to isolate and defeat the Confederacy.