Civil War Notes Review

These flashcards capture key vocabulary and concepts regarding the Civil War, helping students review and prepare for their exam.

Secession

The action of withdrawing formally from membership in a federation or body, particularly the withdrawal of Southern states from the Union.

Cotton Belt

A region in the Southern United States where cotton was a dominant cash crop and characterized by a high concentration of enslaved people.

Confederate States of America (CSA)

An unrecognized country formed by seven Southern states that seceded from the United States in 1861.

Supremacy Clause

A clause in the U.S. Constitution stating that the Constitution and federal laws take precedence over state laws.

Emancipation Proclamation

An executive order issued by President Lincoln on January 1, 1863, freeing all slaves in the Confederate states.

Anaconda Plan

A military strategy proposed by Union General Winfield Scott to defeat the Confederacy by blockading Southern ports and controlling the Mississippi River.

Habeas Corpus

A legal protection against unlawful imprisonment; Lincoln suspended this right during the Civil War.

Copperheads

Northern Democrats who opposed the Civil War and wanted peace with the Confederate states.

Total War

A strategy of warfare that involves attacking not just enemy troops but also the economic resources and civilian infrastructure supporting them.

Border States

Slave states that remained in the Union during the Civil War, including Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri.

Fort Sumter

The site in South Carolina where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, leading to the U.S. surrendering to the Confederacy.

Vicksburg

A key Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River; capturing it was vital for the Union to control the river.

Gettysburg Address

A speech delivered by Lincoln at the dedication of a cemetery at Gettysburg, emphasizing the principles of human equality and the need to continue fighting for democracy.

Ironclad Ships

Warships covered with iron armor, marking a significant technological advancement during the Civil War.

Minie Ball

A conical bullet that was more accurate and deadly, contributing to the high casualty rates in the Civil War.

Grant's Overland Campaign

A series of brutal battles fought in Virginia in 1864, where U.S. Grant sought to relentlessly pursue Lee's forces.

Richmond, VA

The capital of the Confederacy and a significant strategic target for the Union forces during the Civil War.

Application of Technology in Warfare

The use of new technologies, like railroads and telegraphs, which facilitated quicker troop movements and communication during the Civil War.