Sectionalism and the Road to War
How did the North and South differ in their views on tariffs?
The North favored tariffs because they protected domestic businesses from foreign competition. The South hated them because they made foreign imports more expensive.
What were three major economic or logistical advantages held by the North at the start of the war?
The North had a larger population (22 million), 70% of the nation's railroads, and 85% of all factories.
Why was the First Battle of Bull Run significant?
It was the first major battle and a Union defeat. It showed the North that the war would not be an easy or short fight
Who became president after Lincoln was assassinated?
Vice President Andrew Johnson, a Southerner and former slave owner, became president following Lincoln's death.
Why was President Andrew Johnson impeached?
He was impeached because he repeatedly clashed with Radical Republicans in Congress over the Reconstruction process and his "easy" treatment of the former Confederate states.
What is "sectionalism," and how did it contribute to the division of the United States?
Sectionalism is defined as loyalty to one's own region rather than the nation as a whole. It caused major divisions because the North, South, and West developed extremely different economies and ways of life.
What was the "Anaconda Plan"?
This was the Union strategy to defeat the Confederacy by blockading Southern ports, capturing the capital of Richmond, and seizing control of the Mississippi River to divide the South.
Where and when did the Civil War officially end?
General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865, at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia.
What was the 54th Massachusetts Regiment?
It was the first military unit created for free African American men to fight for the Union after the Emancipation Proclamation
What was the purpose of the Military Reconstruction Act of 1867?
It divided the South into five military districts controlled by Union generals and required states to ratify the 14th Amendment and grant voting rights to all men before being readmitted to the Union.
Which event is considered the official beginning of the Civil War?
The Civil War began on April 12, 1861, when Confederate forces fired on U.S. troops at Fort Sumter in South Carolina
What were two primary advantages the South possessed?
The South had a "home-field" advantage by defending their own territory and possessed better military leaders.
Which battle is known as the "bloodiest single day of the war"?
The Battle of Antietam, which took place in Maryland in September 1862
How did Abraham Lincoln’s primary goal for the war change over time?
Initially, his goal was strictly to "preserve the Union". After two years of war, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, making the end of slavery a central objective.
What were the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments?
The 13th Amendment abolished slavery (1865). The 14th Amendment granted citizenship and equal rights (1868). The 15th Amendment protected the right to vote regardless of race (1870).
What was the primary goal of the Missouri Compromise of 1820?
The goal was to maintain a balance between slave and free states in Congress. It allowed Missouri to join as a slave state and Maine as a free state, while outlawing slavery north of the 36°30’ line
What was the Southern strategy for winning the war?
The South planned to fight a defensive war, dragging it out until the North lost interest, and hoped to convince Europe to help them break the Union blockade to buy cotton
Why is the Battle of Gettysburg considered the turning point of the war?
It was the Confederacy's final invasion of the North. The Confederate Army lost nearly 25% of its strength and never fully recovered from the defeat
To whom did the Emancipation Proclamation actually apply?
It only applied to enslaved people in states that were in rebellion against the United States (the Confederacy); it did not free those in the four pro-slavery states that stayed with the Union.
What were "Black Codes"?
Laws passed by Southern states during Reconstruction to restrict the freedom of African Americans and keep them in a condition similar to slavery.
What were the two major rulings in the Dred Scott v. Sandford Supreme Court case?
The court ruled that slaves were not U.S. citizens and therefore could not sue in court. It also ruled that the Missouri Compromise's ban on slavery was unconstitutional, opening the possibility for slavery everywhere.
What is "total war," and who was ordered to use this strategy in 1864?
Total war involves inflicting maximum damage against an enemy's war resources and infrastructure. General Grant ordered General Sherman to use this strategy during his "March to the Sea".
Why was the Union victory at Vicksburg critical to the North's strategy?
Capturing Vicksburg gave the Union complete control of the Mississippi River, which divided the Confederacy and weakened its ability to move supplies
What was the main message of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address?
Lincoln stated the war was a test of whether a democratic nation "conceived in liberty" could survive and called for a "new birth of freedom"
How did Southern states use poll taxes and literacy tests?
These were methods used to prevent African Americans from voting. Poll taxes were set high so they couldn't be afforded, and literacy tests were required to prove reading ability.