Causes of the Civil War
What was the main goal of early abolitionist movements in the United States?
To end slavery and promote equal rights for African Americans.
What was one major early Civil War battle, and why was it significant?
The First Battle of Bull Run (1861) showed both sides that the war would be long and difficult, not a quick victory.
How did life change for women in the North and South during the Civil War?
Women took on new roles, like working in factories, nursing soldiers, or managing farms, due to men being away at war.
Why did some Southerners oppose Abraham Lincoln’s election in 1860?
They believed Lincoln, as a Republican, would work to limit or end slavery, threatening their economy and way of life.
What was the Fugitive Slave Act, and how did it affect enslaved people and Northerners?
Part of the Compromise of 1850, it required Northerners to return escaped enslaved people to the South, angering abolitionists and making escape harder for enslaved people.
How did the Compromise of 1850 try to balance the interests of free states and slave states?
It admitted California as a free state, allowed popular sovereignty in Utah and New Mexico territories, and included a stronger Fugitive Slave Act.
Why was the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 considered a turning point in the Civil War?
The Union victory stopped Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s invasion of the North and weakened the Confederate army.
What challenges did soldiers face during the Civil War, beyond fighting in battles?
Soldiers faced disease, poor food, harsh weather, and lack of medical care in camps.
What was the main message of the Gettysburg Address delivered by Lincoln in 1863?
It honored the soldiers who died at Gettysburg and emphasized preserving the Union and promoting equality.
How did New York’s industries support the Union during the Civil War?
New York’s factories produced weapons, uniforms, and other supplies, and its railroads transported troops and goods.
What was Bleeding Kansas, and why did it increase tensions between the North and South?
Bleeding Kansas was a series of violent conflicts in Kansas Territory over whether it would be a free or slave state, showing how divided the nation was over slavery.
What was the purpose of the Emancipation Proclamation issued by Abraham Lincoln in 1863?
It declared that enslaved people in Confederate states were free, making the war about ending slavery and discouraging foreign support for the Confederacy.
How did the strain of war affect families in the North and South?
Families faced shortages of food and supplies, loss of loved ones, and economic hardship due to the war’s destruction.
How did Abraham Lincoln’s death in 1865 impact the nation?
His assassination by John Wilkes Booth shocked the nation and complicated Reconstruction efforts under his successor, Andrew Johnson.
What was slavery like in the South before the Civil War, and how did it shape the Southern economy?
Slavery involved forced labor of African Americans on plantations, growing crops like cotton and tobacco, which made the South’s economy dependent on slave labor.
How did Abraham Lincoln’s election in 1860 lead to Southern states seceding from the Union?
Southern states feared Lincoln would restrict slavery, so they seceded to protect their way of life, starting with South Carolina in December 1860.
What happened during the final stages of the Civil War that led to the Confederacy’s surrender?
General Sherman’s March to the Sea destroyed Southern resources, and Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House in April 1865.
What was one way African Americans contributed to the war effort in the Union?
African Americans served as soldiers in units like the 54th Massachusetts Regiment and worked as laborers or spies
What was one key action Lincoln took to preserve the Union during the Civil War?
He issued the Emancipation Proclamation to weaken the Confederacy and rally support for the Union cause.
Who was a key figure in the Underground Railroad, and what did they do to help?
Harriet Tubman was a conductor who led over 70 enslaved people to freedom through dangerous journeys, earning the nickname “Moses.”
What was one key event that showed the growing divide over slavery before the Civil War began?
The Dred Scott decision (1857) or John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry (1859), which highlighted tensions over slavery’s expansion.
What was one way the Battle of Antietam (1862) impacted the Civil War?
It was a Union victory that gave Lincoln the confidence to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.
How did civilians in the South experience the war differently from those in the North?
Southern civilians faced more destruction, food shortages, and invasions because most battles were fought in the South.
What was the Underground Railroad, and what was its main purpose?
The Underground Railroad was a secret network of people and safe houses that helped enslaved African Americans escape to freedom in the North or Canada before and during the Civil War.
Why was the Underground Railroad dangerous for both the escapees and the helpers?
Escapees risked capture, punishment, or death, while helpers, like conductors and abolitionists, faced legal penalties or violence for breaking laws like the Fugitive Slave Act.