Civil War Video Notes - Key Terms (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Fort Sumter

Definition: A U.S. military fort located in South Carolina.
Key event: In 1861, Confederate forces fired the first shots of the Civil War here, starting the war.
Significance: Marks the opening of the Civil War and triggers mobilization by both the Union and the Confederacy.
Context: Demonstrates the immediate escalation after tensions over federal authority and states’ rights.

Core idea: Lincoln tried to avoid war by not attacking the South and by sending only supplies (not weapons) to Fort Sumter.
Rationale: He hoped the South would refrain from firing the first shot, buying time to preserve the Union and seek a political solution.
Outcome: The South did fire on Fort Sumter, leading to full-scale war.
Implications: Highlights the difficulties of strategic choices in a divided nation and the risks of escalation.

Fact: The Confederacy (Southern states) fired the first shots at Fort Sumter, starting the Civil War.
Significance: Establishes responsibility for initiating the conflict and frames subsequent propaganda and mobilization.

Definition: A legal rule that protects against unlawful detention, requiring a justification and a trial.
Purpose: Ensures due process and limits arbitrary imprisonment.

Action: Lincoln suspended habeas corpus during the war.
Consequence: People could be arrested and held without trial, especially if seen as a threat to the Union.
Relevance: Raises important questions about civil liberties, executive power, and emergency wartime measures.

Definition: Slave states that stayed in the Union during the Civil War.
States: Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri, and West Virginia (joined in 1863).
Importance: Kept strategic locations under Union control, influenced military and political calculations, and affected the balance of power.

Core idea: Union military strategy to win the war.
Components:
- Block Southern ports to cut off trade and resources.
- Control the Mississippi River to split the Confederacy and disrupt supply lines.
- Surround and squeeze the Confederacy to limit movement and resources.
Significance: Aimed for a long, strategic campaign rather than quick, decisive battles; foundational for Union war planning.

Role: Top general of the Confederate Army.
Attributes: Highly skilled leader who commanded in many major battles.
Impact: Produced several notable Confederate campaigns and influenced Southern military strategy.

Union:
- Implement the Anaconda Plan to suffocate the Confederacy economically and militarily.
- Take control of the South through strategic offensives and blockades.
- End slavery as a war aim and broader moral/political objective.
Confederacy:
- Defend their homeland and resist Union incursions.
- Seek assistance from Europe to gain legitimacy, resources, or recognition.
- Preserve slavery as an institution and political framework.
Significance: Highlights the differing goals, geographic considerations, and international dynamics shaping the war.

Definition: Paper money issued by the Union government during the war.
Purpose: Helped pay for war costs and mobilize the economy.
Financial note: Not backed by gold, reflecting wartime monetary policy and inflation considerations.

Overview: The first major battle of the Civil War.
Implications: Demonstrated that the conflict would be longer and more brutal than many initially expected.
Alternate name: Also known as Manassas.

Identity: A Confederate general known for standing firm in battle.
Nickname: Earned the nickname 'Stonewall' at the Battle of Bull Run due to his steadfast defense.
Legacy: Became one of the most recognizable Confederate commanders and symbol of tenacity.

Role: Union general who trained the army well but was often slow to attack.
Critical view: Lincoln eventually replaced him due to perceived delays and cautious strategy.
Significance: Illustrates tensions between training, readiness, and aggressive action in wartime leadership.

Role: Nurse during the Civil War.
Legacy: Later founded the American Red Cross and contributed to improvements in battlefield medical care and nursing.
Impact: Helped establish professional nursing and humanitarian aid practices during and after the war.

Involvement: Women served as nurses, spies, factory workers, farmers, and some disguised themselves as men to fight.
Significance: Reveals broad social changes and the expanding scope of women's contributions to wartime efforts.
Real-world relevance: Early examples of women stepping into public and professional roles during national crises.