Northern Perspective
Southern Perspective
Role of Slavery
Key Events
Miscellaneous
100

What effect did Lincoln hope the Gettysburg Address would have on the Northern population and its view of the war?

He aimed to inspire the North to continue fighting, reminding them of the importance of democracy and the sacrifices made to protect it.

100

Why did Southern states feel justified in seceding from the Union?

They believed in states’ rights and felt the federal government was infringing on their rights, particularly regarding slavery.

100

After the war, which amendment officially ended slavery in the United States?

The 13th Amendment.

100

Did abolitionists primarily receive support from the North or the South, and why?

The North, because abolitionists sought to end slavery, which was more widely opposed in the Northern states than in the South, where slavery was integral to the economy.

100

Which state was the first to secede?

South Carolina

200

What was Abraham Lincoln’s primary goal as he expressed in the Gettysburg Address?

To honor the soldiers who had fought and to emphasize the importance of preserving a nation dedicated to the principles of liberty and equality.

200

What was one of the primary concerns for Southern soldiers and civilians during the war?

Protecting their land, homes, and way of life, which depended on slavery.

200

What was the impact of the Emancipation Proclamation?

It declared all slaves in Confederate states to be free, changing the purpose of the war to include the abolition of slavery.

200

What was the significance of the Dred Scott decision, and how did it impact the issue of slavery in the United States?

The Dred Scott decision declared that African Americans were not citizens and had no right to sue in federal court. It also ruled that Congress could not ban slavery in the territories, which increased tensions between the North and South.

200

What was the significance of women’s roles in the war, particularly in nursing and support efforts?

Women filled critical roles as nurses, spies, and workers, helping to sustain the war effort and challenging traditional gender roles.

300

How did many Northern industries benefit from the Civil War?

War demands increased production in factories, leading to economic growth.

300

How did the Southern economy struggle during the Civil War?

The Union blockade limited trade, causing shortages of goods and inflation.

300

What was the primary economic role of slavery in the South before the Civil War?

Slavery was essential to Southern agriculture, especially in producing cotton, which was a major export.

300

Why was the Battle of Gettysburg considered a turning point in the Civil War?

It ended General Lee’s invasion of the North and shifted momentum in favor of the Union.

300

Who was Frederick Douglass, and how did he contribute to the abolitionist movement and the Union war effort?

Frederick Douglass was a former enslaved person turned abolitionist leader who advocated for emancipation and equality. He encouraged African Americans to join the Union army and fought for civil rights.

400

Why was it significant that the North controlled most of the railroads during the Civil War?

The North’s control of railroads allowed them to quickly move troops and supplies, giving them a strategic advantage over the South.

400

What did Jefferson Davis emphasize about the South’s reasons for seceding in his inaugural address?

He argued that the South seceded to protect states’ rights and maintain their way of life, which they felt was threatened by Northern policies.

400

What were the risks and motivations for African American soldiers fighting for the Union?

They faced discrimination, lower pay, and the threat of re-enslavement if captured, yet many were motivated by the promise of freedom and the chance to fight for the Union and equality.

400

What was the main purpose of the Compromise of 1850, and how did it try to address tensions between free and slave states?

The Compromise aimed to ease tensions by admitting California as a free state, allowing new territories to decide on slavery through popular sovereignty, and implementing a stricter Fugitive Slave Act.

400

What year was the Dredd Scott Decision? 

1857

500

How did Lincoln's views on slavery evolve during his presidency, particularly as the war continued?

Lincoln initially focused on preserving the Union but came to see the abolition of slavery as essential to that goal, leading to the Emancipation Proclamation.

500

In Jefferson Davis’s view, how did the North violate Southern states' rights, as mentioned in his inaugural address?

He argued that the North had overstepped its authority by imposing laws and restrictions that affected Southern sovereignty, especially concerning slavery.

500

How did enslaved people in the South respond to the Civil War?

Many escaped to Union lines, enlisted in the Union army, or helped weaken the Confederacy from within.

500

How did the Missouri Compromise attempt to maintain balance in Congress, and what were its terms?

The Missouri Compromise maintained balance by admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, and it banned slavery north of the 36°30′ latitude line in the Louisiana Territory.

500

Who was the famous nurse who later founded the American Red Cross?

Clara Barton.