Candidates & Secession
Who were the four main presidential candidates in the Election of 1860?
Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Douglas, John Breckinridge, John Bell)
: Which region (North or South) had more factories and railroads at the war’s start?
North
Which 1861 battle was the first major land battle and surprised both sides with its result?
First Battle of Bull Run/Manassas
Who was commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia?
Robert E. Lee
Name the famous all–Black regiment that led the assault on Fort Wagner
54th Massachusetts
Which candidate won the Electoral College in 1860 and carried every Northern state?
Abraham Lincoln)
Give two geographic or climate differences between North and South that influenced the war.
South: longer growing season, many navigable rivers, long coastline. North: shorter growing season, more fragmented rivers, colder climate.
Which two 1863 Union victories are commonly cited as the turning points of the war?
Gettysburg and Vicksburg
Who became overall commander of all Union armies in 1864 and was known for aggressive, sustained attacks?
Ulysses S. Grant
About how many African Americans served in the Union forces by war’s end?
about 200,000
Which candidate represented the Constitutional Union Party and won most border states?
John Bell
What was the Anaconda Plan?
Union strategy to blockade Southern ports, control the Mississippi River, and strangle the South economically
What was the significance of the Battle of Antietam?
Bloodiest single day; Lee forced to retreat; gave Lincoln opportunity to issue Emancipation Proclamation.
What promise did Lincoln make in his First Inaugural Address about slavery in states where it existed?
He stated he had no purpose to interfere with slavery where it already existed
What were common jobs or roles African Americans performed to help the Union besides fighting?
Guides, spies, nurses, cooks, navy sailors
Explain why Lincoln’s victory led many Southern states to secede.
He won without Southern electoral support; Southerners feared loss of political power and threats to slavery; secession followed
Why was a defensive war an advantage for the South?
Fighting on familiar terrain, shorter interior lines, and need only to hold ground to wear down Northern will
Describe Sherman’s “March to the Sea” and its purpose.
Sherman marched from Atlanta to Savannah living off the land, destroying infrastructure and supplies—total war to crush Southern will and economy.
What was the puropose of the Gettsyburg Address?
honor fallen, new birth of freedom
Explain why the Emancipation Proclamation changed the nature of the war.
Explain why the Emancipation Proclamation changed the nature of the war.
Describe how the split in the Democratic Party affected the election outcome and reflected sectional turmoil.
Northern and Southern Democrats ran Douglas and Breckinridge separately, splitting votes and allowing Lincoln to win Electoral College majority—showing deep North–South division
Identify and explain the North’s greatest single logistical advantage and how it affected the war.
Greater population and industry—more soldiers, more weapons, more railroads and supplies, allowing sustained campaigns and manning long sieges
Explain Grant’s strategy in 1864–1865 and how it differed from earlier Union approaches
Coordinated multi-front offensives to apply simultaneous pressure—constant attacks (Overland Campaign), sieges (Petersburg), and linkups with Sherman—aimed to destroy Confederate armies rather than just win isolated battles.
Analyze how Lincoln balanced force and reconciliation in his Inaugural addresses and policy after the war began.
He insisted secession was illegal and pledged to hold federal property and enforce laws (force) while also pleading for reconciliation—later, in Second Inaugural, he urged mercy and national healing.
Describe the conditions and risks African American soldiers faced compared to white soldiers.
Lower pay initially, segregated units under white officers, risk of execution if captured by Confederates, discrimination though they proved bravery—leading to equal pay in 1864 and wider acceptance.