Causes of the Civil War Quiz

Causes of the Civil War

• Sectionalism: Deep-seated differences between the North and South, primarily over the issue of slavery, led to political division and distrust.
• States' Rights: Southerners argued for the right of individual states to govern themselves and to nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional, particularly regarding slavery.
• Economic Differences: The North's industrial economy contrasted sharply with the South's agrarian economy dependent on slave labor. This led to differing ideas about the role of the federal government in regulating the economy, tariffs, and infrastructure development.
• The Abolitionist Movement: Growing opposition to slavery in the North, fueled by abolitionist activism and moral arguments, created pressure on the South.
• The Missouri Compromise & Compromise of 1850: Attempts to maintain a balance of power between free and slave states failed to resolve the underlying tensions and exacerbated the conflict.
• The Kansas-Nebraska Act: This act allowed popular sovereignty in determining whether territories would be free or slave states, leading to violent clashes ("Bleeding Kansas") and further escalating tensions.
• Dred Scott Decision: The Supreme Court's ruling that slaves were not citizens and could not sue in federal court, and that Congress could not prohibit slavery in the territories, deeply angered antislavery forces.
• Election of Abraham Lincoln: Lincoln's election as president in 1860, despite campaigning on a platform that opposed the expansion of slavery, triggered the secession of several Southern states.

Key Events Leading to the War

• Secession of Southern States: Following Lincoln's election, South Carolina and other Southern states seceded from the Union. They formed the Confederate States of America to protect their interests, primarily slavery.
• Fort Sumter: The attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861 marked the beginning of the Civil War.
• Early Confederate Victories: The Confederacy initially enjoyed victories due to skilled generals and a strong military tradition.
• The Battle of Antietam: The bloodiest single-day battle in American history, this battle served as a turning point, as it slowed the advance of Confederate forces and stopped their momentum.
• Emancipation Proclamation: Issued by President Lincoln in 1863, it declared slaves in Confederate-held territory to be free. This shifted the moral and political objectives of the war and strengthened the Union's moral standing.
• Gettysburg & Vicksburg: Union victories at these crucial battles in 1863 marked turning points in the war. The Union gained control of the Mississippi River and inflicted heavy casualties on the Confederate armies.
• Sherman's March to the Sea: General William T. Sherman's scorched-earth campaign through Georgia and the Carolinas devastated the Southern economy and morale, effectively crippling the Confederate war effort.
• Appomattox Court House: General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, effectively ended the Civil War.

Impact of the Civil War

• Abolition of Slavery: The Civil War led to the abolition of slavery in the United States with the passage of the 13th Amendment.
• Preservation of the Union: The Union victory ensured the survival of the United States as a single nation.
• Devastation of the South: The South suffered immense destruction of infrastructure, economy, and social structures as a result of the war.
• Reconstruction Era: The period after the war involved attempts to rebuild the South and integrate formerly enslaved people into society. This period was marked by political struggles and social unrest.
• Growth of Federal Power: The war significantly increased the power and influence of the federal government.
• Rise of Industrialization: The war spurred industrial development in the North. This further exacerbated economic differences between North and South and contributed to the underlying tensions.

Key Figures & Roles

• Abraham Lincoln: President of the United States during the war; his leadership was critical to the Union victory.
• Robert E. Lee: Commander of the Confederate Army; a brilliant military strategist.
• Ulysses S. Grant: Commander of the Union Army; played a major role in the Union's final victory.
• Jefferson Davis: President of the Confederate States of America.
• William T. Sherman: Union General; his strategic campaigns were significant in the war's outcome.

Main Characteristics

• Total War: The Civil War involved all aspects of society for both sides, impacting not just the army, but civilian life, resources, and morale.
• Technological Advancements: The use of new technologies such as railroads, telegraphs, and improved weaponry altered military strategies and the nature of warfare.
• High Casualties: The war resulted in a staggering number of casualties, far greater than any previous American conflict.
• Economic Disparity: The war widened the gap between the Northern and Southern economies, further impacting the development of the American South after the war.