Civil War: Lincoln's Goals and Strategies

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Questions and Answers

What was one of Lincoln's main goals before the Civil War began?

To expand U.S. territory

To keep the Union together (correct)

To promote foreign aid to the South

To abolish slavery nationwide

What was a significant feature of the Anaconda Plan?

Granting autonomy to the border states

Negotiating peace with Confederate leaders

Establishing an aggressive invasion of the South

Blockading Southern ports (correct)

Which battle is known as the bloodiest of the Civil War?

Battle of Antietam (correct)

Battle of Bull Run

Battle of Gettysburg

Battle of Shiloh

What unique advantage did the South have in the Civil War?

Superior military leadership Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions did Lincoln take without Congressional approval?

Suspending the writ of habeas corpus Signup and view all the answers

What requirement did Andrew Johnson set for Southern states to be readmitted into the Union?

10% of voters must pledge loyalty Signup and view all the answers

What were the Black Codes primarily designed to do?

Restrict the rights of African Americans Signup and view all the answers

Who were the 'Scalawags' during the Reconstruction era?

Republican Southerners who supported Reconstruction Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant effect of the Panic of 1873 on the Reconstruction efforts?

Diminished interest in Reconstruction among Republicans Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Force Acts during Reconstruction?

To protect freedmen from terrorist groups like the KKK Signup and view all the answers

What was the main outcome of the Compromise of 1877?

The removal of Northern troops from the South Signup and view all the answers

What system kept many African Americans in a state of economic dependency after the Civil War?

Sharecropping system Signup and view all the answers

Which amendments were associated with the Radical Republicans' efforts to secure African American rights?

14th and 15th Amendments Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the Union victory at Gettysburg?

It destroyed the Confederate offensive line. Signup and view all the answers

Which event involved the Union capturing British diplomats, nearly causing a war with Britain?

Trent Affair Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the Emancipation Proclamation?

To free slaves in territories controlled by the Confederacy. Signup and view all the answers

Which act allowed Union soldiers to free slaves who assisted them during the war?

2nd Confiscation Act Signup and view all the answers

What strategy was employed by Ulysses S. Grant to cut off the Confederacy's resources?

Anaconda Plan Signup and view all the answers

What was one economic change resulting from the Civil War?

The introduction of Greenbacks as paper currency. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the impact of the Civil War on women?

It led to increased nursing opportunities and independence. Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment abolished slavery in the United States?

13th Amendment Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant political effect of the war?

A Republican majority in Congress. Signup and view all the answers

What ultimately occurred at Appomattox Court House in 1865?

The surrender of Robert E. Lee, ending the Civil War. Signup and view all the answers

What was the minimum requirement for Southern states to be readmitted according to Lincoln's Proclamation of Amnesty?

10% voter loyalty oath Signup and view all the answers

Which legislation was more stringent than Lincoln's Proclamation of Amnesty?

Wade-Davis Bill Signup and view all the answers

What was a major function of the Freedmen's Bureau?

To provide education and food to freed slaves Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant characteristic of Andrew Johnson's policies?

Vetoed numerous Republican bills Signup and view all the answers

What did the Black Codes aim to achieve in the Southern states?

Limit the rights of African Americans Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Congressional election of 1866?

Republicans secured a two-thirds majority Signup and view all the answers

What led to the impeachment of Andrew Johnson?

His dismissal of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the 15th Amendment?

To grant African American men the right to vote Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to Southern Democrats who sought to restore old power structures after Reconstruction?

Redeemers Signup and view all the answers

What was a major consequence of the Compromise of 1877?

End of military Reconstruction in the South Signup and view all the answers

How did sharecropping affect African Americans economically?

It resulted in cycles of debt and dependency Signup and view all the answers

What event was caused by overspeculation and led to economic distress during Reconstruction?

The Panic of 1873 Signup and view all the answers

What tactic was used by Republicans to discredit their opponents during the election of 1866?

Waving the bloody shirt Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant failure of the Reconstruction period?

Corruption and perceived wastefulness Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Lincoln's Goals and the Start of the Civil War

Lincoln aimed to preserve the Union, assuring Southerners he wouldn't interfere with slavery.
The Confederacy still seceded.
Fort Sumter marked the first shots of the Civil War when Lincoln attempted to resupply the fort.
Lincoln acted without Congressional approval, sending troops, authorizing war spending, and suspending habeas corpus.

Border States

Maryland, Delaware, Missouri, and Kentucky were slave states that remained in the Union.
These states were strategically important, situated near vital locations like Washington D.C. and the Missouri River.

Northern Advantages

The North boasted a larger population, more railroads and farmland, a stronger navy, and a more stable economy.
A well-established government and robust industrial base for arms manufacturing further strengthened its position.

Southern Advantages

Confederate generals enjoyed a reputation for military skill.
The defensive nature of the war minimized troop mobilization requirements.
The difficult coastline proved challenging for blockades.
Strong Southern morale and belief in their cause contributed to their advantage.
The South's "King Cotton" strategy, relying on British support, though never fully achieved.
The Confederacy's inherent economic and political weaknesses.

Major Battles and Union Strategy

The Battle of Bull Run dispelled the notion of a short war and solidified Confederate confidence.
Subsequent Confederate successes were often attributed to poor Union military management, specifically by General McClellan, a problematic Union General.
The Anaconda Plan, proposed by Winfield Scott, aimed to strangle the Confederacy by blocking its ports, controlling the Mississippi River, and conquering Richmond.
Antietam, the bloodiest single-day battle, resulted in a tactical "Union Victory" due to Lee's retreat, though McClellan's failure to pursue him ultimately led to his dismissal.
Shiloh and Vicksburg were key battles that shifted control of the Mississippi River and significantly aided the Union war effort.
Gettysburg marked a decisive Union victory, ending Confederate advances north.
Sherman's March employed total war tactics, destroying Confederate infrastructure from Atlanta to Savannah, weakening Southern resources.

Foreign Affairs

The Trent Affair almost led to war with Britain, averted when Lincoln released the captured British diplomats.
King Cotton diplomacy failed to secure significant foreign aid for the Confederacy.

End of Slavery

Confiscation acts empowered Union forces to free slaves who aided the war effort.
The Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in Confederate territories, a critical turning point of the war.
The 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the United States.

End of the War

Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House in 1865.
Lincoln's assassination led to Andrew Johnson taking office.

Effects of the War

Political changes included a Republican majority in Congress.
The suspension of habeas corpus and its related legal implications (Ex Parte Milligan) raised significant constitutional issues.
The Civil War draft spurred social unrest, particularly over the system of wealth-based exemptions.
Economic shifts included new tariffs (Morrill Tariff Act), the creation of paper currency (greenbacks), and the development of a unified banking system.
The war spurred considerable industrialization in the North.
Women took on men's roles, gaining some independence and impacting future feminist movements.

Reconstruction Era - Lincoln's Plans

Lincoln believed the Southern states had never legally seceded.
Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction (1863) offered a lenient path to readmission.
The 10% plan required a loyalty oath from 10% of voters in a region.
The Wade-Davis Bill proposed stricter terms, emphasizing political loyalty over leniency.

Freedmen's Bureau

The Freedmen's Bureau was an early welfare agency aimed at supporting recently freed slaves.
Its roles included providing essential services like aid with food, shelter, medical attention, and education.

Andrew Johnson's Plans and Policy

Johnson, a white supremacist, took a significantly pro-Southern stance.
He frequently vetoed Congressional reconstruction bills, leading to increased political tensions.
His policies embraced leniency for Southern secessionists

Southern Governments' Return

All Southern states eventually rejoined the Union.
Black Codes were restrictive state laws limiting African American rights.

Congressional Reconstruction

Republican-controlled Congress took an increasingly active role in Reconstruction.
Radical Republicans championed political and social equality for freedmen.

Radical Republicans and Civil Rights

Key Radical Republicans included Charles Sumner and Benjamin Wade.
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 extended citizenship to African Americans.
This directly contradicted the logic of the infamous Dred Scott Supreme Court ruling.

Constitutional Amendments and Impeachment

The 14th Amendment, guaranteeing citizenship to all regardless of race, and the need for equal protection under the law further set the stage for a reconstruction of society from the ground-up The 15th Amendment granted voting rights to African American males.
Johnson's impeachment attempt stemmed from his violation of the Tenure of Office Act.

Grant's Presidency and Reconstruction's End

Grant's presidency was marked by significant corruption.
Events such as Credit Mobilier and the Whiskey Ring highlighted this issue.
The Panic of 1873 complicated matters for the newly united nation, but mostly affected the economy of the North
The rise of the Redeemers, Southern Democrats who sought to regain political control, marked a shift towards a more restrictive Southern regime.

Rise of the KKK

The Ku Klux Klan used terror tactics against African Americans, demanding that the Reconstruction go into effect in order to stop the violence from their acts
Congressional Force Acts were subsequently passed to curb the Klan's activities.

Compromise of 1877

The Compromise of 1877 effectively ended Reconstruction through a political bargain that removed federal troops from the Southern states, paving the way for the subsequent rise of Jim Crow.

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Description

Explore the pivotal decisions made by President Lincoln during the early stages of the Civil War. This quiz delves into the strategic advantages of both the North and South, as well as the significance of border states. Test your knowledge on these critical historical events and figures.