Civil War

1. Which states were considered “border states”? What was the first state to secede? How many states ultimately seceded from the Union?  

Border states were pro-slavery states that stayed in the union. These states did NOT secede with the other Southern states. The states that were considered border states include Missouri, Kentucky, West 

Virginia, Delaware, and Maryland. The first state that seceded from the union was South Carolina. In the end, ultimately, eleven states seceded from the Union and joined the confederacy.

2. How did the 1850s presidents contribute to the sectional tensions that ultimately sparked the war?

The 1850s presidents contributed to the sectional tensions that ultimately sparked the war by doing many different things. For example, Millard Fillmore backed away from the compromise of 1850, that delayed the southern secession by allowing slavery to spread. Franklin Pierce was bad as well as he effectively dealt  with a dominant congress where the executive branch was weak and congress was powerful. He was an attorney but also served as a volunteer general for the Mexican-American war, where he passed out from a knee injury and burned the name “Fainting frank”, making a mockery of him. The secession was also pushed by James Cuchanan who defended slavery a constitutional right, and was known for opposing the Dred Scottt case.

3. What were the major technological innovations used during the Civil War? Give specific examples of how each one impacted the war

Some of the major technological inventions include Ironclads, the telegraph, a railway system, and the spencer rifle and minie ball. Ironclads were ships that had a sort of armour that was made of metal. This would protect the ship from getting destroyed too easily. The telegraph was important as it would let individuals communicate across long distances almost instantaneously through morse code, letting information travel faster than ever. Railroads and a railway system was important as it let individuals and supplies travel faster than carts or other wagon-type vehicles. The rifle and minie ball was an interesting invention as the guns were easier to reload, were more accurate, and they were used mainly by the union; it aided them in defeating the confederacy.

4. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do and what were the immediate AND long-term results?

After the battle of Antietam, Lincoln issued the emancipation on September 22, 1862. This proclamation stated that all enslaved people that seceded from the union would be free as of January  1, 1863. This reshaped the Unions foals for the role overall as it clearly stated that the war was something related to slavery. By the end of the war, 200,000 black soldiers and sailors had fought for the Union and freedom. This helped to prevent the involvement of foreign nations and it acted as a precursor to the 13th amendment.

5. Identify and describe TWO of America’s founding principles reiterated by Lincoln in the Gettysburg Address.

During the Gettysburg address, Lincoln mentioned two fundamental principles that would stick throughout the ages. These two principles are “all men are created equal” and “of the people, by the people, for the people”. This remained as a principle for America even to this day as it states that everyone is the same and should be treated that way, as well as, saying that the country is for the people and that it has the peoples’ best at heart.

6. Why is Juneteenth celebrated and what does it commemorate?

Juneteenth marks the day were federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and make sure that all enslaved people were free. The troops' arrival came 2 ½ years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Junteeenth honors the end of slavery in the US and is considered the holder of the African American Holiday.

7. Describe 6 of the most significant battles of the war – where they took place, outcomes, and key people involved

First Battle of Bull run (1861) - First battle of the war; confederates won; William T Sherman

Battle of Shiloh (1862) - Union Victory gave TN to the North; Union Won; Ulysses S Grant

Battle of Antietam (1862) - Bloodiest single-day battle in american history; Union won; Robert E Lee

Battle of Gettysburg (1863) - Turning point of the war(prevented southern invasion in north); Union victory; Robert E Lee

Battle of Vicksburg (1863) - Divided the South into two parts; Union win; Ulysses S Grant

Battle of Appommattox court house (1865) - South surrenders; Union won; Robert E Lee and Ulysses S Grant

8. Describe the leadership (political and military) of both the Union and the Confederacy.

Lincoln was a president that would convince many to listen to him and he was against slavery, which gained him support.. In the Union, Grant was a great general as he had good tactics relating to siege, He had foresight and strong leadership, and he had effective resource management. William T Sherman was good as he would be smart about resources and would just march through without much supplies as he would just pillage the villages around him. Robert E Lee was important as he would take calculated risks, inspire troops, and was decisive.

9. Describe the impact of the following people on the war: Frederick Douglass, Clara Barton, Robert Smalls, William T. Sherman

Fredrick Douglass - he became an abolitionist leader where he gained fame for his oratory and incisive antislavery writings.

Clara Barton - She acted as a woman nurse which was new at this time and she similarly founded the red cross

Robert Smalls - Became the first Black man to become a pilot in the US Navy during the civil war. He was later elected to the House of Representatives. He escaped slavery by stealing one of the confederates important import ships and gave the resources to the 

union.

William T. Sherman - smart tactics and leadership as he led Sherman's march which started in Atlanta and ended 6 days later in Savannah and he won the land immediately and fast.

10. Summarize the Civil War’s immediate AND lasting impact on politics, the economy, women, African Americans, Native Americans, and common soldiers.

Politics - Strengthened the US foreign power and influence, led to freedom, established a more powerful and centralized government, and laid the foundation for America's emergence as a world power. Lincoln stopped habeas corpus which required that one under arrest must be brought to a judge or into court to prove their detention was unlawful. He self lincoln's denial and suspended until andrew john son revoked it

Economy - business and industry became even more dominant. The south was financially destroyed and cities and plantations were demolished. Confederate money worthless

Women - Gave them the choice of being both a stay at home mother and wife as well as a patriot and worker for their country

African Americans - nearly 4 million slaves were freed and were then granted citizenship and the right to vote.

Native Americans - ⅓ of all cherokees and seminoles died from violence, starvation, and war related illness.

Common Soldiers - many lost lives, limbs, and became disabled and traumatized. Around ⅓ southern households lost at least one household. Disease killed more men than battlefield casualties.

11. Understand where and how the war came to a close, including Lincoln’s assassination

The civil war ended at the Appomattox courthouse where Lee surrendered to Grant. 5 days after the treaty was signed, however, Lincoln was killed in Ford's Theatre by John Wilkes booth. Although he was shot in the back of the head, he died the next day in the morning. The manhunt for Booth was the largest manhunt in American history. The Cherokee population declined and hoped to gain favor to stop relocation by joining both the Union and Confederate side. The 13th amendment banned slavery. The 14th amendment set citizenship guidelines and equal protection under the law. The 15th amendment gave the right to vote to men regardless of race, color, or condition of servitude. Shortly after the civil war, the transcontinental railroad finished and intensified westward movement of settlers.