Civil War Key Terms and Concepts

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is Martial Law?

The body of law imposed by the military over civilian affairs during the Civil War (correct)

The law governing military conduct

A type of civil rights law

A law concerning trade regulations

What does Merchant Marine refer to?

A group of naval officers

A type of naval warfare

Civilian ships and sailors who transported food, weapons, and munitions during the Civil War (correct)

A fleet of military ships

What is Habeas Corpus?

The civil right to obtain a writ of habeas corpus as protection against illegal imprisonment.

What is a Greenback?

A piece of U.S. paper money first issued by the North during the Civil War. Signup and view all the answers

Which states are considered Border States?

Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri Signup and view all the answers

Who was Napoleon III?

Nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, elected emperor of France from 1852-1870. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Charles Francis Adams?

Minister to Great Britain during the Civil War. Signup and view all the answers

What was Thomas Jackson's nickname?

Stonewall. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Maximilian?

French viceroy appointed by Napoleon III to lead the new government set up in Mexico. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Sally Tompkins?

Confederate nurse who ran a hospital in Richmond, Virginia during the Civil War. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Jay Cooke?

A New York financier interested in the OSN Railroads. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Abraham Lincoln?

President of the United States who issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Jefferson Davis?

President of the Confederate States of America. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Elizabeth Blackwell?

First woman to become a licensed doctor in the U.S. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Clara Barton?

Founder of the American Red Cross and a nurse during the Civil War. Signup and view all the answers

What is Ft. Sumter known for?

Site of the first battle of the Civil War Signup and view all the answers

What does Confederacy refer to?

The southern states that seceded from the United States in 1861. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Trent Affair?

Incident involving the capture of Confederate emissaries by a Union ship, leading to tension with Britain. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Morrill Tariff Act?

An act passed by Congress in 1861 raising taxes on shipping to fund the war. Signup and view all the answers

What is conscription?

Drafting of civilians to serve in the army during the Civil War. Signup and view all the answers

What did the New York City Draft Riots involve?

Mobs opposing the draft roamed the streets until federal troops suppressed them. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Alabama?

A ship built for the C.S.A. by the British, known for its speed and destruction of Union trade. Signup and view all the answers

What is the National Banking System?

Established a standard bank currency and allowed banks to issue paper money. Signup and view all the answers

What does Billy Yank refer to?

The nickname of the Union used by Confederate soldiers. Signup and view all the answers

What does Johnny Reb refer to?

'Johnny' was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers. Signup and view all the answers

Who was William H. Seward?

'Higher law' and natural rights advocate, opposed slavery expansion. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Emancipation Proclamation?

Issued by Abraham Lincoln, it declared all slaves in rebellious Confederate states would be free. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Horace Greeley?

An American newspaper editor and founder of the Republican Party. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Terms and Concepts

Martial Law: Law imposed by military authority over civilian affairs, particularly during the Civil War.
Merchant Marine: Civilian ships and sailors that played a crucial role in transporting food, weapons, and munitions during the Civil War.
Habeas Corpus: The legal right to challenge unlawful detention; suspended by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War to maintain order.
Greenback: A type of paper currency first issued by the North, representing financial measures taken during the war.
Border States: Slave-holding states—Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri—that did not secede from the Union despite their slave status.
Napoleon III: Emperor of France from 1852 to 1870 who intervened in Mexico by installing Maximillian as a ruler, challenging U.S. authority; withdrew after Civil War pressures.
Charles Francis Adams: U.S. Minister to Great Britain who focused on preventing British support for the Confederacy.
Thomas Jackson ("Stonewall"): Notable Confederate general whose leadership was pivotal in the Battle of Bull Run, earning him a reputation for steadfastness.
Maximilian: French leader imposed on Mexico by Napoleon III; executed post-Civil War illustrating U.S. enforcement of the Monroe Doctrine.
Sally Tompkins: Confederate nurse who significantly contributed to wartime medical care, operating a hospital in Richmond, Virginia.

Financial and Political Developments

Jay Cooke: Financier who played a key role in the railroad expansion; his bankruptcy contributed to a national depression.
Abraham Lincoln: President who opposed slavery's expansion, issued the Emancipation Proclamation, emphasized the Union's unity, and articulated his vision for government in the Gettysburg Address.
Jefferson Davis: President of the Confederate States from 1861 to 1865, leading the southern states during the Civil War.
Elizabeth Blackwell: The first licensed female doctor in the U.S., instrumental in the U.S. Sanitary Commission's efforts during the war.
Clara Barton: Founder of the American Red Cross who provided crucial medical assistance during the Civil War.

Significant Events and Actions

Ft Sumter: Federal fort in Charleston, South Carolina; its attack by Confederates marked the beginning of the Civil War.
Confederacy: The collective name for the southern states that seceded from the Union, forming a separate government during the war.
Trent Affair: Diplomatic incident where Union forces captured Confederate diplomats bound for Europe, causing tensions with Britain until their release.
Morrill Tariff Act: Legislation enacted in 1861 to increase tariffs to fund the war effort, reflecting the need for financial resources.
Conscription: Mandated military service for civilians during the Civil War, reflecting the desperate need for soldiers.

New York City Draft Riots: A violent backlash against the draft in July 1863, fueled by class and racial tensions as lower-class citizens resisted fighting for emancipation.
Alabama: A Confederate warship built in Britain that hindered Union trade efforts during the war.
National Banking System: Introduced in 1863 to create a uniform currency and stabilize the banking system, marking a significant financial reform.

Cultural References

Billy Yank: Nickname for Union soldiers used by Confederates, representing the cultural divide between North and South.
Johnny Reb: Term used by Union soldiers for Confederate troops, highlighting the personalizing of the enemy during the conflict.
William H. Seward: Prominent anti-slavery politician who articulated the "higher law" concept against the expansion of slavery.
Emancipation Proclamation: Lincoln's 1862 decree freeing slaves in rebellious states, signaling a crucial shift in the war's purpose.
Horace Greeley: Influential newspaper editor whose work supported the anti-slavery movement and the Republican Party's rise.

Studying That Suits You

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

Description

Test your knowledge of essential terms and concepts related to the American Civil War. This quiz covers important topics such as martial law, habeas corpus, and the role of the Merchant Marine. Understand the context and significance of these terms during this crucial period in U.S. history.