Civil War Chapter Overview

A militant group of Southerners who advocated for secession from the Union, believing in the supremacy of Southern culture and values.

A concept that emphasized Southern distinctiveness and the need for self-government, often based on the preservation of slavery and agrarian values.

The first state to secede from the Union in 1860, following Abraham Lincoln's election.

A formal gathering of representatives from a state to discuss and decide on important issues, such as secession from the Union.

The group of states that seceded from the Union and formed a new nation, the Confederate States of America.

A temporary truce between contending factions, attempting to avoid conflict, which failed to prevent the outbreak of the Civil War.

A fortified military position, strategically located in South Carolina, that marked the beginning of the Civil War when Confederate forces attacked it in 1861.

A fortified military installation in Florida, similar to Fort Sumter, which the Confederates also attempted to seize.

The event that marked the start of the American Civil War, where Confederate forces bombarded Fort Sumter in South Carolina after Union commander Anderson refused to surrender.

The act of formally withdrawing from a political union, as when Southern states left the United States to form the Confederacy.

The group of states that broke away from the Union during the Civil War, forming their own nation called the Confederate States of America. They fought to preserve slavery and Southern autonomy.

The political and social tensions between the North and South in the mid-19th century, fueled by differences in economic systems, cultural values, and the issue of slavery.

The belief that two distinct and incompatible ways of life had developed in the United States, leading to a widening gap between North and South.

The advantages held by the Union during the Civil War, largely due to greater population, industrial capacity, and transportation infrastructure.

The advantages held by the Confederacy during the Civil War, primarily based on fighting defensively on familiar terrain and experienced military leadership.

A term referring to the ability of the North to produce its own war materials due to its advanced industrial system, while the South had to rely on imports during the war.

A proposed constitutional amendment aimed at permanently solidifying slavery in Southern states. It aimed to appease Southern demands related to fugitive slaves and slavery in Washington D.C. but ultimately aimed to reestablish the Missouri Compromise line.

This compromise prohibited slavery north of the 36°30′ parallel and allowed it south of it. It attempted to resolve the debate over whether slavery should be allowed in new territories.

A group that vehemently opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories, ultimately pushing the issue to the forefront of national politics.

The process of a state formally withdrawing from the United States. This event marked the beginning of the American Civil War.

Lincoln's assertion in his inaugural address that the Union predates the Constitution, implying that no state could unilaterally leave it.

Lincoln's declaration that any act of violence or force used to support secession would be categorized as a rebellion against the government.

Lincoln's commitment to maintain possession and control over federal property located in the seceded states, including Fort Sumter.

The first war to widely use repeating weapons, like the Colt revolver and Winchester repeating rifle, dramatically changing the nature of combat.

Battles were no longer fought with lines of soldiers standing in open fields, exchanging volleys. The new weaponry made this strategy deadly.

The introduction of repeating weapons like the Colt revolver and Winchester rifle during the Civil War made battles much more deadly.

Improved cannons and artillery, powered by advances in iron and steel technology, made a significant impact on the battlefield.

The use of hot-air balloons for battlefield observation was a sign of the growing impact of technology on warfare.

Ironclad ships like the Merrimac and Monitor, torpedoes, and submarines showed the potential of naval warfare to be transformed by technology, though they played a limited role in the Civil War itself.

The railroad was crucial for troop movement, supplies, and communications. It was integral to the way both sides fought the war.

The telegraph enabled rapid communication, allowing commanders to coordinate movements and strategies more effectively.

The absence of men working on southern farms and plantations due to the Civil War, resulted in increased responsibilities for women in managing agricultural production and household chores. This included managing slaves on larger plantations, plowing fields, and harvesting crops on smaller farms.

The experiences of Southern women during the Civil War challenged traditional societal norms and expectations for women. It led to questioning the notion that women were unfit for public or active roles due to their gender. This shift gave rise to a new understanding of women's strengths and capabilities.

The Civil War resulted in a significant gender imbalance in the South, with a large population of women and a greatly reduced population of men. This was due to the high number of male deaths and the absence of many men who had joined the war.

Widowed or unmarried Southern women found themselves compelled to take on jobs to sustain themselves, expanding the range of acceptable roles for women in society during and after the Civil War.

Confederate leaders enforced strict slave codes and regulations to prevent slave revolts during wartime, fearing a potential rebellion.

Many enslaved people, especially those close to battlefronts, seized opportunities during the War to escape to Union lines.

Despite the strict slave codes, enslaved people on Southern plantations often resisted authority with increased defiance during the war, especially when overseers and slaveholders were away at war.

The Union's main military objective in the Civil War was to destroy the Confederacy, while the Confederacy's objective was simply to avoid defeat. This difference in military strategy played a significant role in the course of the war.

Union troops, under Grant's leadership, encircled and besieged the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg, Mississippi, ultimately leading to its surrender due to starvation.

A Confederate force led by General Robert E. Lee invaded Pennsylvania, aiming to capture the key city of Gettysburg and cripple the Union war effort.

A pivotal battle fought in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where the Union forces repelled a Confederate attack, halting their advance into Union territory and showcasing Union superiority.

A tactic used by the Confederate forces in the Battle of Gettysburg, where a massive force advanced across open ground towards Union lines, resulting in heavy casualties and a resounding defeat.

The strategic importance of the Mississippi River in the Civil War, as it enabled Union forces to split the Confederacy and significantly impact its ability to transport resources and supplies.

The surrender of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and Port Hudson, Louisiana, marked a significant victory for the Union, securing control of the Mississippi River and crippling the Confederacy's ability to transport goods.

The Confederate army's retreat from Gettysburg, marking a demoralizing defeat and leaving the Confederate forces weakened and unable to launch further significant incursions into Union territory.

The strategic and logistical implications of the Union's victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg, marking a significant shift in the war's momentum and putting the Confederacy on the defensive.