Causes of the Civil War
What was the core issue that led to the Civil War?
Slavery.
Why did the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 frighten the South?
Lincoln opposed the expansion of slavery, and the South feared he would abolish it.
What was the Battle of Gettysburg?
A major turning point in the Civil War, resulting in a significant Union victory.
What was the period after the Civil War called?
Reconstruction.
What is one key lesson about the struggle for equality that we can learn from the Civil War?
The fight for equality and freedom is an ongoing process.
How did the North and South feel about slavery?
The North was largely against slavery, while the South depended on it for its economy.
What happened after Southern states feared Lincoln's election?
They seceded from the United States and formed the Confederacy.
Name two other MAJOR battles of the Civil War besides Gettysburg.
Antietam, Vicksburg, and the Battle of Atlanta are common examples.
What were some of the challenges faced during Reconstruction?
Rebuilding the South, reintegrating former Confederate states, and granting rights to newly freed slaves.
How did the Civil War impact American society?
It had a profound and lasting impact, leaving a legacy of both progress and pain.
Which pre-Civil War compromise admitted Missouri as a slave state while also prohibiting slavery in much of the Louisiana Territory?"
The Missouri Compromise.
Who was the president of the Confederacy during the Civil War?
Jefferson Davis.
Name two technological advancements that impacted the Civil War?
The use of railroads, telegraph, and more advanced weaponry like repeating rifles and rifled cannons.
What were some of the rights that were granted to former slaves after the Civil War?
The 13th Amendment abolished slavery, the 14th Amendment granted citizenship to all people born in the United States, and the 15th Amendment gave African American men the right to vote.
What were the main economic differences between the North and the South before the Civil War?
The North had a more diverse economy, while the South relied heavily on agriculture, particularly cotton production, which depended on slave labor.
Despite initial efforts to maintain peace and balance, why did attempts to address the issue of slavery ultimately fail?
Growing tensions and disagreements over slavery continued to increase.
Explain the significance of the Emancipation Proclamation.
It declared slaves in Confederate territory free, shifting the war's focus from preserving the Union to ending slavery.
What were some of the social and economic consequences of the Civil War for the South?
Widespread destruction of infrastructure, economic devastation, and the displacement of many people.
What were some of the obstacles faced by African Americans during Reconstruction?
Discrimination and violence.
What is the significance of the Civil War in American history?
It was a turning point in the nation's history, addressing fundamental questions about slavery, freedom, and the nature of the Union.
Explain the concept of "States' Rights" and its connection to the Civil War.
States' Rights was the belief that states had the right to decide their own laws, including those related to slavery. This doctrine was used by Southern states to justify secession.
How did the Civil War change the relationship between the states and the federal government?
It established the principle of federal supremacy and limited the power of individual states.
Explain how the Civil War impacted the lives of ordinary people, both in the North and the South.
The war brought hardship to both sides. Soldiers faced the horrors of battle, while civilians experienced shortages, displacement, and the loss of loved ones.
How did the Reconstruction era shape the course of American history?
Reconstruction laid the groundwork for future struggles for civil rights and equality. While it faced setbacks, it established important legal and constitutional principles that continue to influence American society today.
How does the Civil War continue to influence American society today?
Issues of racial equality, social justice, and the balance of power between the states and the federal government remain relevant today.