Civil War and Pre-Civil War Quiz

Johnson's Reconstruction policies were lenient towards former Confederates, granting pardons and returning land confiscated by the Union. This approach undermined the Freedmen's Bureau and empowered white supremacists.

The Radical Republicans envisioned a more transformative Reconstruction, aiming to ensure rights for Black people by treating the former Confederate states as conquered territories and requiring them to restart their governance.

The 14th Amendment established citizenship for all persons born in the United States and guaranteed equal protection under the law. This was a key step towards racial equality.

The 15th Amendment prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude, further advancing civil rights.

Andrew Johnson's lenient approach towards Confederates and the return of confiscated land, emboldened white Southerners to resist the new political order and hindered freedpeople's progress.

Many historians believe that Reconstruction failed due to a culmination of factors, including Johnson's lenient policies, a lack of public will, white resistance, and Supreme Court decisions that weakened the 14th and 15th Amendments.

Benedict argues that the Republican Congress did not intend for the 14th and 15th Amendments to fundamentally change the federal relationship and that Supreme Court interpretations were consistent with the narrow scope of these amendments. He blames the failure of Reconstruction on the Republicans' limited agenda.

Kaczorowski believes that the Republican Congress intended to radically change the federal relationship by limiting state authority, as evidenced by the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, which were written with a clear vision for basic political and civil rights.

The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 repealed the Missouri Compromise, introducing the concept of popular sovereignty for deciding the status of slavery in new territories. This act ignited intense political debates, ultimately leading to the collapse of the Whig Party and the rise of the Republican Party.

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was part of a series of compromises aimed at appeasing the South, but it enraged abolitionists in the North. It required citizens to return runaway slaves to their owners, regardless of their personal beliefs about slavery.

The Republican Party emerged in the mid-1850s as a direct response to the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the Fugitive Slave Act. This party was formed by a coalition of anti-slavery forces, including former Whigs, Northern Democrats, and Free Soilers.

The Dred Scott Supreme Court decision of 1857 ruled that enslaved people were not considered citizens and had no right to sue in federal court. It also declared that Congress had no power to ban slavery in any territory. This decision essentially declared slavery legal throughout the nation, further inflaming tensions.

The Lecompton Constitution was a pro-slavery document proposed for the state of Kansas. It was pushed through by pro-slavery forces, despite widespread opposition from anti-slavery groups. This controversial document further escalated tensions leading to the Civil War.

The Civil War, fought between the Union (Northern states) and the Confederacy (Southern states) from 1861 to 1865, was a major turning point in American history. It was a devastating conflict sparked by the issue of slavery and its expansion.

The Union faced numerous challenges during the Civil War, including recruiting and replacing soldiers, maintaining a robust economy, and managing public opinion. The war required a massive mobilization of resources, and the Union faced the daunting task of fighting a war while also attempting to keep the nation unified.

The Confederacy, despite having some initial advantages, faced significant long-term challenges including maintaining morale amid heavy casualties, managing a limited industrial base, and keeping control of the enslaved population.

A military strategy employed by the Union during the Civil War, aiming to suffocate the Confederacy by blockading its ports, controlling the Mississippi River, and gradually conquering its territory.

A type of bullet designed for rifled muskets, allowing for greater accuracy and range.

The Confederate strategy during the Civil War, primarily focused on defending their territory, seeking foreign support, and hoping for the Union to tire of fighting.

A major battle of the Civil War, fought in Tennessee. The battle resulted in significant casualties on both sides, highlighting the brutality of the war.

A major battle of the Civil War, fought in Maryland. The Union victory led to the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation.

A major battle of the Civil War, fought in Pennsylvania. The Union victory marked a turning point in the war, weakening the Confederate Army.

A major siege during the Civil War, resulting in the capture of the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River.

A campaign led by General Sherman, culminating in the burning of Atlanta and the destruction of Confederate resources during the Civil War.

The military leader of the Union Army during the Civil War, known for his meticulous training but hesitant to fight.

The military leader of the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Known for his strategic brilliance and dedication to the Confederacy.

A Confederate general known for his ruthlessness and military prowess. He played a significant role in the early successes of the Confederacy.

A set of laws passed by the Confederate government during the war, aimed at centralizing power and organizing a war effort.

The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Lincoln in 1863, declared that all enslaved people in Confederate-held territories would be free.

The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery throughout the United States, except as punishment for a crime.

The period following the Civil War, focusing on rebuilding the South and integrating freed people into society. Faced challenges of racial discrimination and economic inequality.