Slavery & Sectionalism
What was the main economic difference between the North and South before the Civil War?
The North was based on industry and free labor, while the South depended on agriculture and enslaved labor.
What does "states' rights" mean in the context of the Civil War?
The belief that states, not the federal government, should make their own laws, including about slavery.
Who was the President of the United States during the Civil War?
Abraham Lincoln
What were the main differences in how the North and South viewed slavery?
The North saw it as wrong and wanted to stop its expansion, while the South saw it as essential for their economy
What was "Uncle Tom’s Cabin," and why was it important?
A novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe that exposed the horrors of slavery and increased anti-slavery sentiment.
What was the Missouri Compromise, and how did it attempt to address sectional tensions?
It allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state, Maine as a free state, and set a line dividing future free and slave territories.
Why did Southern states believe they had the right to secede?
They argued that since they had voluntarily joined the Union, they could voluntarily leave it
What leadership qualities made Abraham Lincoln a strong president during the war?
Honesty, perseverance, communication skills, and commitment to preserving the Union
What was the abolitionist movement?
A movement to end slavery in the United States.
What kind of songs did enslaved people create to express their experiences?
Spirituals—songs that often had hidden messages about escape and hope
What was the Compromise of 1850, and why did it fail to keep the peace?
It allowed California to enter as a free state, included a stronger Fugitive Slave Act, and left new territories to decide on slavery, increasing tensions.
What was the Fugitive Slave Act, and why did it anger Northerners?
It required people to return escaped enslaved individuals to the South, even if they were in free states.
Who was the President of the Confederate States of America?
Jefferson Davis
How did enslaved people resist slavery?
By escaping, rebelling, working slowly, or secretly learning to read and write.
How did newspapers like "The Liberator" influence opinions on slavery?
They spread abolitionist ideas and called for the end of slavery.
How did the Kansas-Nebraska Act contribute to sectionalism?
It allowed settlers to decide on slavery, leading to violent conflicts known as “Bleeding Kansas.”
How did the election of Abraham Lincoln lead to secession?
Southern states feared he would abolish slavery and decided to leave the Union.
What was the Emancipation Proclamation, and who issued it?
Abraham Lincoln issued it, declaring enslaved people in Confederate states free
What was the Underground Railroad?
A secret network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom
Why did Civil War soldiers write letters and keep diaries?
To share their experiences, thoughts, and emotions about the war.
Why was the Dred Scott decision controversial?
It ruled that enslaved people were not citizens and that Congress could not ban slavery in the territories.
What was the significance of the attack on Fort Sumter?
It was the first battle of the Civil War when Confederate forces attacked a Union fort in South Carolina.
Why is the Gettysburg Address considered an important speech?
It emphasized democracy, unity, and honoring those who fought for freedom
Who was apart of the secret network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom?
Frederick Douglass—former enslaved person who spoke against slavery; Harriet Tubman—helped people escape through the Underground Railroad
What impact did Civil War photography have on the public?
It showed the harsh realities of war, making it more real for people at home.