Civil War and Reconstruction Quiz
45 Questions
6 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What was one of the primary purposes of the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862?

  • To fund military operations during the war.
  • To authorize the construction of the first transcontinental railroad. (correct)
  • To establish colleges for agriculture and mechanical arts.
  • To provide land grants for federal offices.

Which Act granted 160 acres of land to farmers who would cultivate it for five years?

  • The Agricultural Expansion Act
  • The Homestead Act (correct)
  • The Morrill Land Grant Act
  • The Rural Development Act

What funding mechanism was introduced to cover the substantial costs of the Civil War?

  • Sales tax on imported goods.
  • Privatizing military contracts.
  • Cutting government spending.
  • Establishment of the Bureau of Internal Revenue. (correct)

How did the Union primarily raise revenue during the Civil War?

<p>Through tariffs, excise tax, and income tax. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a consequence of the war on the federal government's finances?

<p>Increase in national debt nearly to $3 billion by 1865. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Morrill Land Grant Act contributed to which area of American society?

<p>Higher education. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What form of currency was issued that could not be redeemed for hard currency during the war?

<p>Greenbacks (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a noted opportunity that arose as a result of the war?

<p>Profiteering and increased corruption. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What strategy characterized Sherman's campaign as he moved through the Southern states?

<p>Total war (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was the Democratic candidate opposing Lincoln in the 1864 election?

<p>General George McClellan (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the vote did Lincoln receive in his reelection?

<p>55% (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence of the Confederate capital falling into Union hands?

<p>Jefferson Davis was captured. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the location of the formal surrender of General Lee's army?

<p>Appomattox Court House (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who surrendered his troops on April 26, 1865, leading to the end of Confederate resistance?

<p>General Johnston (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who assassinated President Lincoln?

<p>John Wilkes Booth (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What major financial issue did the Confederacy face compared to the Union?

<p>Inability to secure overseas loans (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What consequence did the use of shoddy material in uniforms have on the soldiers?

<p>Rapid deterioration of clothing (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant effect of inflation on the Confederate dollar by the end of the war?

<p>Its value dropped significantly (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What action did Lincoln take regarding civil liberties during the Civil War?

<p>Suspended the writ of habeas corpus (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects the changes in prices in the South during the Civil War?

<p>Prices increased by more than 9,000% (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial goal of the North at the beginning of the Civil War?

<p>Restoration of the Union (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which judicial decision declared the reliance on military courts for trying civilians unconstitutional?

<p>Ex parte Milligan (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What phrase best describes how public confidence in Confederate paper money was affected?

<p>There was little to no public confidence (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did contractors exploit the situation during the Civil War?

<p>By using substandard materials like shoddy (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What strategy was used by the Confederacy to raise funds during the war?

<p>Raising taxes that were difficult to collect (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Battle of Antietam?

<p>An inconclusive battle that led to Lee's retreat (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which general was replaced by Lincoln after the Battle of Antietam?

<p>General George McClellan (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant document was issued after the Battle of Antietam?

<p>The Emancipation Proclamation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which battle did General Burnside lose against Lee and Stonewall Jackson?

<p>The Battle of Fredericksburg (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was General Hooker's strategic advantage at the Battle of Chancellorsville?

<p>Numerical superiority with approximately 130,000 troops (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role did Admiral David Farragut play in the Western campaign?

<p>Leading the capture of key cities, including New Orleans (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which location did Ulysses S. Grant capture in June 1862?

<p>Memphis (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What event took place just before the siege of Vicksburg?

<p>The Battle of Shiloh (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where did the Union army experience greater success compared to the East?

<p>In the Western theater (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who became bitter political rivals after the Battle of Antietam?

<p>Lincoln and McClellan (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What motivated General Lee to move the Army of Northern Virginia into Pennsylvania in June 1863?

<p>To bring the war to the North for a favorable outcome (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which battle is regarded as the South's worst defeat in the Civil War?

<p>Battle of Gettysburg (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome for Pickett's charge during the Battle of Gettysburg?

<p>Massive casualties and a retreat for the Confederate forces (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What pivotal event occurred simultaneously with the Confederate surrender at Vicksburg?

<p>The Union took control of the Mississippi River (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes Ulysses S. Grant’s leadership style during the Civil War?

<p>A war of attrition with relentless assaults (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which cities were significant in the Union's campaign led by General Sherman?

<p>Atlanta and Savannah (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Grant's forces primarily achieve during the siege of Petersburg?

<p>Severe pressure on Lee's Army, leading to its weakening (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Sherman approach his tactics during the March to the Sea?

<p>He confiscated and destroyed supplies to cripple the enemy (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a consequence of the defeats at Gettysburg and Vicksburg?

<p>The Union gained control and split the Confederacy (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant appointment was made in March 1864 regarding Union military leadership?

<p>Ulysses S. Grant was made commander of all Union forces (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Pacific Railroad Act

Authorized the first transcontinental railroad, connecting Omaha and Sacramento.

Homestead Act

Gave 160 acres of land to farmers who worked it for 5 years.

Morrill Land Grant Act

Provided public lands for colleges focused on agriculture and mechanics.

Financing the war (Union)

The Union used tariffs, excise taxes, income tax, and greenbacks (paper money).

Signup and view all the flashcards

Greenbacks

Paper money that served as legal tender.

Signup and view all the flashcards

War bonds

Issued by the federal government as a way to finance the war effort.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Profiteering

Taking advantage of a situation, like war, for financial gain.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Union Pacific and Central Pacific

The railroads that completed the first transcontinental railroad.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Union's contracts

The Union government awarded millions of dollars in contracts to businesses for military supplies (firearms, uniforms, etc.).

Signup and view all the flashcards

Shoddy uniforms

Some contractors used poor-quality materials, like shoddy cloth, for Union uniforms, making them quickly fall apart.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Confederate finance problems

The Confederacy faced severe financial issues, including difficulty collecting taxes and limited confidence in its paper money.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Confederate inflation

The Confederacy's printing of more paper money led to massive inflation, severely diminishing the value of their currency.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Civil liberties during war

Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus, allowing arrests without formal charges for suspected disloyal individuals, affecting civil liberties during the war.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ex parte Milligan

A 1866 Supreme Court ruling declaring unconstitutional the use of military courts to try civilians.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Union's war goal

The initial goal of the Union was to restore the country's unity (the Union).

Signup and view all the flashcards

Lincoln's inaugural stance on slavery

President Lincoln stated in his first inaugural address that he would not interfere with slavery where it already existed.

Signup and view all the flashcards

North's wartime spending

The North spent a lot on war material and supplies, but they had a stable economy to support it.

Signup and view all the flashcards

South's financial weaknesses

The South had trouble securing loans and collecting taxes, leading to a weak economy and high inflation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Gettysburg

A three-day battle in 1863 that resulted in the South's worst defeat during the Civil War. Half of the Confederate troops under General Pickett were killed, wounded, or captured.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Battle of Antietam

The bloodiest battle of the Civil War, fought in Maryland in 1862. It ended inconclusively, but Lee's retreat allowed McClellan to claim victory.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Emancipation Proclamation

Issued by Lincoln in 1862, this proclamation freed slaves in Confederate territories. It shifted the war's purpose from preserving the Union to ending slavery.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Vicksburg

A Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River that surrendered in 1863. This gave the Union complete control of the river, effectively splitting the Confederacy.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Why did Britain and France not intervene in the Civil War?

The Emancipation Proclamation likely ended any chance of Britain and France supporting the Confederacy. This was because they opposed slavery and feared alienating their abolitionist populations.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ulysses S. Grant

Appointed commander of all Union forces in 1864 after his victories in the West. He is known for his aggressive and relentless strategy, even if it resulted in heavy casualties.

Signup and view all the flashcards

War of Attrition

A strategy used by Grant, where the goal was to weaken the enemy by inflicting heavy casualties, even if it meant sacrificing Union lives.

Signup and view all the flashcards

General Ambrose Burnside

Lincoln's first replacement for McClellan, he proved incapable of leading a large army. He suffered a major defeat at Fredericksburg.

Signup and view all the flashcards

General “Fighting Joe” Hooker

Lincoln's second replacement for McClellan, he lost a major battle at Chancellorsville despite having a large numerical advantage.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sherman's March

In 1864, General Sherman's Union troops marched from Atlanta to the sea, destroying Confederate infrastructure and resources along the way.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Atlanta

A major Confederate city in Georgia, captured by Union forces under Sherman in 1864. This victory further weakened the Confederacy.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Battle of Shiloh

Fought in Tennessee in 1862, this battle saw Grant narrowly avoid defeat against Confederate forces.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Siege of Vicksburg

A significant battle in the West that lasted from 1862 to 1863. Grant’s troops captured the important river town of Vicksburg, a strategic win for the Union.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Confederate Strategy

The Confederacy's plan to achieve victory was to bring the war to the North, hoping to force the Union to negotiate a peace.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Union Strategy

The Union's aim was to blockade Confederate ports, control the Mississippi River, and ultimately conquer the South.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Admiral David Farragut

A key figure in the Western campaign, he led the navy to capture New Orleans and Baton Rouge, important strategic victories for the Union.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Turning Points

Key battles or events that significantly altered the course of the war, favoring one side over the other. Examples include Gettysburg and Vicksburg.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Grant's Western Campaign

Grant's successes in the West, including battles like Shiloh and Vicksburg, were significant steps towards securing Union victory.

Signup and view all the flashcards

The Battle of Chancellorsville

This battle took place in May 1863, where the Union forces under Hooker were defeated by the Confederates under Lee and Jackson, despite Hooker having a significant numerical advantage.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What was the significance of Gettysburg and Vicksburg?

Both battles were turning points in the Civil War. Gettysburg stopped the Confederacy from invading the North, while Vicksburg gave the Union control of the Mississippi River, effectively dividing the Confederacy.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sherman's 'Total War'

A military strategy used by General William Tecumseh Sherman during the Civil War, focusing on the destruction of enemy resources, infrastructure, and civilian property to cripple their war effort.

Signup and view all the flashcards

1864 Presidential Election

The election where Abraham Lincoln, running on a platform of unconditional surrender and abolishing slavery, faced a challenge from the Democratic candidate George McClellan, who advocated for peace and an armistice.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Lincoln's Re-election

Despite a challenging war effort, Lincoln won a decisive victory in the 1864 presidential election, securing a second term with a platform of Union unity and the end of slavery.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Confederate Surrender

After a long and bloody conflict, the Confederacy formally surrendered to the Union, marking the end of the Civil War. General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Lincoln's Assassination

President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, an actor, on April 14, 1865, while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C.

Signup and view all the flashcards

How did Lincoln's re-election impact the war?

Lincoln's re-election in 1864 was a crucial turning point in the Civil War. It demonstrated strong national support for his presidency and his policies, particularly the pursuit of a Union victory and the abolishment of slavery. It also signaled to the Confederacy that their efforts to divide the country were failing.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Politics and Economics of the War

  • Republican-controlled Congress implemented domestic program
  • Pacific Railroad Act (1862) authorized transcontinental railroad line from Omaha and Sacramento
  • Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroad companies received over 60 million acres of land and $20 million in loans
  • Homestead Act (1862) granted 160 acres of land for free to farmers
  • Morrill Land Grant Act (1862) provided land to states for establishing agricultural colleges
  • Financing the war required higher tariffs, excise taxes, and first federal income tax
  • Bureau of Internal Revenue established to collect taxes
  • Congress authorized paper money (greenbacks)

Financing the War

  • War was expensive for all sides
  • Union raised money through higher tariffs, excise taxes on goods, and the first federal income tax
  • Bureau of Internal Revenue created to collect taxes
  • Congress issued paper money (greenbacks)
  • Wartime spending led to a significant increase in national debt (nearly $3 billion by 1865)

War profiteering (Union)

  • War created opportunities for businesses to profit
  • Awarded millions of dollars in contracts for firearms, uniforms, and military supplies
  • Contractors sometimes took advantage of government by using shoddy materials for uniforms.
  • Word "shoddy" entered English language meaning poor/cheap quality

War profiteering (Confederacy)

  • Confederacy faced worse financial problems than Union due to difficulties with overseas loans and taxes collecting
  • Taxes collected in Confederacy were significantly lower than what Union was able to collect.
  • Confederate paper money was not declared legal tender, resulting in low public confidence in value
  • Inflation became a significant problem in the Confederacy and the value of a Confederate dollar dropped significantly during the war. (to about 1.5 cents in gold by the war's end, compared to roughly 80% inflation in the Union during a similar time period)

Civil Liberties and the War

  • Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus, allowing the arrest of suspected Union opponents
  • Individuals were arrested without formal charges, and many were detained
  • Supreme Court declared the reliance on military courts for trying civilians unconstitutional in Ex parte Milligan (1866)

Balance of Forces

  • North's goal was initially the restoration of the Union.
  • Lincoln stated no intention to interfere with existing slavery in his inaugural address
  • Congress originally stated war was not against the "established institutions" of the southern states
  • Purpose of the war transformed to include a crusade against slavery in 1863
  • South's primary defense
  • North had numerous advantages in resources, population, and industrial capacity
  • Despite North's advantages, South was not as weak as it appeared initially

The North's Problems

  • Lincoln needed sufficient political mandate (despite winning with only 40% of popular vote)
  • Lincoln's party was divided into Moderates and Radicals, with Radicals advocating for immediate emancipation, and trying to interfere with his strategy
  • North facing difficulties in dealing with hostile southern civilians and maintaining longer supply lines as they invaded large territory.
  • Northern generals lacked daring and innovative strategies in some instances

The South's Advantages

  • Smaller, more defensive strategy
  • Familiarity with the territory aided their strategy
  • Thought they would have greater support from other countries due to reliance on cotton exports
  • Experienced military commanders in the Confederacy

Fighting the War

  • Initially, expectations were for a short war, with a fast victory.
  • The Anaconda Plan: a naval blockade and invasion along the river systems to divide the Confederacy.
  • South used a defensive strategy to wear down Union forces
  • North faced challenges including large territory and hostile southern civilians

The War in the East

  • First major engagement, Battle of Bull Run, resulted in a Union defeat.
  • McClellan appointed commander of the Army of the Potomac
  • Reorganization and training of Union troops
  • Defeats at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville despite McClellan's efforts
  • Lee's successful offensive moves into Maryland and Pennsylvania
  • Battle of Antietam (indecisive, but significant for allowing Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation)

The War in the West

  • Union successes in the West - control of Mississippi River vital
  • Grant's strategic victories in the west - Vicksburg, Chattanooga, and Tennessee.
  • Naval engagements crucial to controlling the Mississippi River - important for supply lines and movement.

Emancipation

  • Initially, Lincoln resisted complete emancipation to maintain border states in the Union
  • Contraband policy allowed for the freedom of runaway slaves
  • Confiscation Acts of 1861 and 1862 increasingly eroded slavery
  • Lincoln's Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation announced in 1862, targeting Confederate states and areas engaged in rebellion.

Blacks in the Civil War

  • Large numbers of African Americans joined Union armies
  • Faced summary execution or re-enslavement if captured
  • Faced discrimination in terms of pay and treatment
  • Significant role in the Union victory, though their efforts were initially overlooked in some respects.

The Election of 1864

  • Lincoln faced challenges from Radical Republicans (though he was reelected easily)
  • Democrats nominated McClellan on an extreme peace platform
  • Lincoln's victory boosted public support for the war

End of the Confederacy

  • Lee's forces surrounded, and he surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House.
  • Confederates surrendered their troops to the Union
  • President Lincoln assassinated
  • Significance of many casualties during the war
  • Long-lasting impacts of Civil War in terms of political division, loss of life, and social change.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Related Documents

Readings #1- Politics and Economics of the War 2024 PDF

Description

Test your knowledge on key events and legislation during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era. This quiz covers topics like the Pacific Railroad Act, Morrill Land Grant Act, and the Union's revenue strategies. Perfect for history enthusiasts and students alike.

More Like This

American Civil War History
3 questions

American Civil War History

American Civil War History
5 questions

American Civil War History

BeneficentSynthesizer avatar
BeneficentSynthesizer
American Civil War History
28 questions

American Civil War History

ViewableGhost avatar
ViewableGhost
Civil War and Early American History Quiz
28 questions

Civil War and Early American History Quiz

FaultlessAsteroid5709 avatar
FaultlessAsteroid5709
Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser