CAUSES OF THE CIVIL WAR
What was the main cause of the Civil War?
The institution of slavery.
Who led a raid on Harpers Ferry hoping to start a slave rebellion?
John Brown.
What does “secede” mean?
To withdraw from the Union.
: What was the first major battle of the Civil War?
The First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas).
Which Virginian Confederate general earned the nickname “Stonewall”?
Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.
What did enslaved individuals do when they reached Fort Monroe?
Sought freedom as “contrabands of war.”
What is the term for officially ending slavery?
Abolition.
What was the goal of John Brown’s raid?
Seize weapons and spark an uprising against slavery.
Which state did the southern states form after secession?
The Confederate States of America.
What battle featured the clash of the ironclads Monitor and Merrimack?
The Battle of Hampton Roads.
Who became the commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia?
Robert E. Lee.
How did Indigenous people contribute to the Civil War?
Served as scouts, trackers, fighters, nurses, and messengers.
What secondary issues also divided the North and South besides slavery?
Economic differences, cultural differences, and disagreements over states’ rights.
What was the Underground Railroad?
A secret network of routes and people helping enslaved people escape to freedom.
Why were many people in western Virginia against secession?
They had fewer enslaved people and different economic interests.
Why was Virginia a major battleground during the Civil War?
Richmond and Washington, D.C. were close together.
Who created the Union’s “Anaconda Plan”?
Winfield Scott.
How did free Blacks support the war effort?
Many served in the United States Colored Troops.
What major event in 1860 pushed southern states toward secession?
The election of Abraham Lincoln.
What is Harriet Tubman best known for?
Leading many enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad.
What did the western counties of Virginia create in 1863?
The new state of West Virginia.
Where did General Robert E. Lee surrender in 1865?
Appomattox Court House, Virginia.
Who was the first African American to earn the Medal of Honor and was from Norfolk?
William Harvey Carney.
Why were actions of Elizabeth Van Lew important?
She ran a spy ring supporting the Union.
Why did some Virginians support secession while others opposed it?
Different beliefs about slavery, economics, and loyalty to the Union vs. the Confederacy.
How did abolitionists like Tubman and Brown influence attitudes toward secession?
Their actions increased tensions and pushed southern states to defend slavery.
What was the Virginia Ordinance of Secession?
The document stating Virginia would leave the United States.
Why did the Battle of Bull Run surprise people?
It showed the war would be longer and harder than expected.
Who was the African American spy who worked inside the Confederate White House?
Mary Bowser (supported by Elizabeth Van Lew).
What contribution did Powhatan Beaty make?
He served bravely in the U.S. Colored Troops and earned the Medal of Honor.