Pre-Civil War 1
What role did Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad play in helping enslaved people escape?
Harriet Tubman helped hundreds escape slavery through the Underground Railroad, guiding them to free states or Canada.
Why did many Southerners believe that secession was their only option to protect their way of life?
Even though all the southern states voted against Lincoln, he still won the elections because of Northern population advantages. They saw Lincoln’s election as a threat to slavery and their economy.
What were the initial military strategies of both the Union and the Confederacy?
The Union used the Anaconda Plan to blockade Southern ports and split the Confederacy. The South aimed to defend its territory and seek European support.
Why did Grant offer generous terms of surrender to Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House?
To encourage reconciliation and healing after the war.
How did the Thirteenth Amendment change American society?
It abolished slavery in the U.S., freeing millions and transforming the legal and social structure.
What were the main arguments for and against popular sovereignty as a method for deciding the issue of slavery in new territories?
Supporters argued it was democratic, allowing settlers to choose. Opponents feared it would expand slavery and lead to violent conflicts.
How did the Fugitive Slave Act impact attitudes toward slavery in the North?
It angered many Northerners, as they were forced to return escaped slaves, leading to stronger abolitionist movements and increased defiance through personal liberty laws.
How did the First Battle of Bull Run influence the North’s perception of the war?
It shocked the North, revealing the war would be longer and bloodier than expected.
How did African Americans contribute to the Union war effort after the Emancipation Proclamation?
They enlisted in large numbers, serving in combat and support roles, notably in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment.
How did Lincoln’s vision for post-war reconstruction differ from that of Radical Republicans?
Lincoln wanted leniency and quick reunification; Radicals wanted strict punishment and protection for freedmen.
How did the decline of the Whig Party contribute to the rise of the Republican Party?
•The Whigs split over slavery, with many Northern Whigs joining the Republican Party, which opposed the expansion of slavery.
How did the Dred Scott decision affect the political landscape and tensions between the North and South?
The Supreme Court ruled that African Americans were not citizens and that Congress could not ban slavery in territories, outraging Northerners and empowering pro-slavery forces.
How did President Lincoln justify suspending habeas corpus during the early years of the war?
He argued it was necessary to maintain national security and prevent dissent in border states.
Why was the Battle of Gettysburg considered the turning point of the war?
It ended Lee’s invasion of the North and shifted momentum to the Union.
How did war-time inflation and shortages affect civilians on the South?
Shortages led to suffering, especially in the South where basic goods became scarce and expensive.
What were the key provisions of the Compromise of 1850, and which side benefited more from it?
California was admitted as a free state, a stricter Fugitive Slave Act was enacted, popular sovereignty was applied to new territories, and the slave trade (but not slavery) was abolished in Washington, D.C. The North benefited more in the long run as California was free, but the South gained temporary advantages.
Why did Free-Soilers oppose slavery, even though they were not necessarily abolitionists?
They feared slavery would take jobs from free white workers and spread the influence of the slaveholding elite.
What was the purpose of the Emancipation Proclamation, and how did it change the focus of the war?
It freed slaves in Confederate-held territories and reframed the war as a fight against slavery, gaining moral support.
What was the purpose of Sherman’s March to the Sea, and what were its effects?
To break Southern resistance by targeting civilian resources; it devastated Georgia and accelerated the Confederacy’s collapse.
Why was President Lincoln’s assassination a turning point in American history?
It removed a unifying figure and allowed for a harsher Reconstruction under Andrew Johnson and Congress.
What was the Freeport Doctrine, and why did it hurt Stephen A. Douglas’s chances for national leadership?
Douglas argued territories could exclude slavery by passing local laws against it, angering Southern Democrats.
What were the political consequences of the 1856 presidential election for the Republican Party?
Although they lost, the Republican Party proved it was a national force, winning a significant number of votes.
Why was the Battle of Antietam considered a turning point in the Civil War?
It was the bloodiest single-day battle and led Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.
What was the significance of the Battle of Vicksburg for the Union?
It gave the Union full control of the Mississippi River and split the Confederacy.
What was the long-term significance of the National Bank Act?
It standardized banking and created a national currency, laying the foundation for modern finance.