Basics
What were the two sides fighting in the Civil War?
Union and the Confederacy
What communication device allowed leaders to send messages quickly?
telegraph.
What type of terrain did the Union use to their advantage at Gettysburg?
High ground/hills.
What was one challenge everyday soldiers faced during the Civil War?
harsh weather, lack of supplies, disease, long marches, poor living conditions.
What was the overall result of the Civil War?
The Union won. Reconstruction begins
What issue was the main cause of the Civil War?
Slavery/Debate over the expansion of slavery
What transportation system helped armies move supplies faster?
Railroads
Which battle is known as the bloodiest single day in American history?
The Battle of Antietam.
Who wrote the Emancipation Proclamation?
Abraham Lincoln
What happened to many Southern cities and railroads during the war?
They were destroyed or severely damaged.
Who was President of the United States during the Civil War?
Abraham Lincoln
How did the Union navy help weaken the Confederacy during the Civil War?
By creating naval blockades that cut off Southern trade and supplies.
What key feature at Antietam acted like a trench?
The Sunken Road.
Name one way civilians were affected by the Civil War.
shortages of goods, destroyed towns, loss of family members, farms damaged, fear of nearby battles.
Why did the Confederacy ultimately lose the war?
Fewer resources, less industry, weaker transportation systems, smaller population, and being outmatched over time.
Name one of the two most well-known battles from the Civil War.
Gettysburg or Antietam.
How did improved rifles change the way battles were fought?
They were more accurate and deadly over long distances.
Why was Gettysburg a turning point in the war?
The Union victory stopped the Confederate invasion of the North.
How did the roles of women change during the Civil War?
Many took on new responsibilities such as running farms, working in factories, serving as nurses, or helping supply armies.
How did new technologies (like railroads or the telegraph) help shape the outcome of the war?
They helped the Union move troops, communicate faster, and coordinate strategies effectively.
What was the Confederacy’s main goal in the war?
To become an independent nation. & protect the institution of slavery
Why did technology give the Union an advantage over the Confederacy?
The Union had more factories and resources to produce weapons, railroad lines, and supplies.
Choose one battle (Gettysburg or Antietam) and name one geographic feature that influenced strategy.
– Gettysburg: Little Round Top, Cemetery Ridge, rocky terrain
– Antietam: Cornfield, bridges, farms, Sunken Road
How did enslaved people contribute to weakening the Confederacy during the Civil War?
Many escaped to Union lines, shared important information, refused to work for Confederate war efforts, or joined the Union war effort when allowed.
How did major Union victories such as Gettysburg or Antietam influence the overall outcome of the war?
They weakened the Confederacy, boosted Northern morale, and stopped Confederate invasions of the North.