Civil War Overview and Fort Sumter

A battle fought in April 1861 that marked the beginning of the American Civil War. It took place at Fort Sumter in South Carolina, where Confederate forces bombarded the Union garrison, forcing its surrender.

The Confederate States of America's flag, often referred to as the "Stars and Bars". It featured a white field with a red and blue cross in the upper left corner, symbolizing the unity of the Confederate states.

The document adopted by the Confederate States of America, which explicitly protected slavery and asserted the right of states to secede from the Union. This document declared the Confederate states as a separate and independent nation.

The strategy employed by the Union during the Civil War, aimed at suffocating the Confederacy by establishing a naval blockade, splitting the South in two at the Mississippi River, and eventually capturing the Confederate capital in Richmond. This strategy was named after a snake that crushes its prey.

A major battle of the American Civil War fought near Manassas, Virginia in July 1861. The Confederate army defeated the Union forces, marking a significant early victory for the South.

A famous Confederate general known for his strategic brilliance and his unwavering loyalty to the South, known as “Stonewall” due to the fierce resistance he led at Bull Run.

A crucial battle fought near Shiloh, Tennessee, in April 1862, during the Civil War. The Union forces, under the leadership of General Ulysses S. Grant, emerged victorious. This battle was a turning point in the war.

A Union general known for his cautious approach to warfare and his strong dedication to protecting his soldiers, known as ‘Little Mac’ due to his short stature.

The 13th Amendment officially ended slavery in the United States, abolishing it completely. Before the 13th Amendment, slavery was permitted by the Constitution.

The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including formerly enslaved people. It prohibited states from denying equal protection under the law.

The 15th Amendment guaranteed the right to vote to all male citizens, regardless of race or color, effectively granting African American men the right to vote.

The Reconstruction period following the Civil War aimed to rebuild the South and integrate formerly enslaved people into society, primarily by the federal government. This included establishing civil rights, providing education, and securing the right to vote for Black Americans.

The Black Codes were a set of restrictive laws implemented by Southern states after the Civil War to limit the freedoms of African Americans. They aimed to restrict their economic opportunities, voting rights, and land owning.

The Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist terrorist organization, emerged out of the Confederacy's defeat and used violence and intimidation to suppress African American rights, intimidate Republican politicians, and maintain white supremacy.

The impeachment of President Andrew Johnson, a Democrat, stemmed from his opposition to the Reconstruction policies enacted by the Republican-controlled Congress. He was accused of violating the Tenure of Office Act by dismissing a cabinet member without Senate approval.

The Jim Crow laws were a set of state and local laws enacted in the South following Reconstruction that enforced racial segregation and disenfranchisement, limiting the freedom and rights of African Americans.

A pivotal battle fought in Maryland, known for its staggering casualties (over 23,000) and its impact on the course of the war. It ended with a Union victory, halting General Lee's advance into the North, and marking the bloodiest single day in American history.

President Lincoln's declaration that all slaves in Confederate-held territory would be freed. This aimed to cripple the South's workforce, discourage foreign support, and elevate the war from a fight for unity to a moral crusade against slavery.

A major Confederate victory that severely weakened Union morale and hampered their efforts. The heavy Union losses highlighted their unpreparedness for the battle and led to the replacement of General Burnside with General Hooker.

A pivotal three-day battle considered the turning point of the Civil War. It marked a decisive Union victory, weakening the Confederacy and shifting the war's momentum in favor of the Union.

The Union's siege and capture of Vicksburg, a critical Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River, led to Grant's rise to prominence. This strategic victory split the Confederacy in two and significantly hampered their war effort.

A pivotal speech delivered by President Lincoln at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It poignantly conveyed the profound significance of the sacrifices made during the Civil War and redefined the war as a struggle for the preservation of the Union and the principles of liberty and equality.

President Lincoln's appointment of Ulysses S. Grant as the general-in-chief of the Union forces. Grant, known for his relentless and aggressive military strategies, employed a strategy of total war aiming to cripple the South's economy and infrastructure.

Lincoln's second election for president of the United States, where he campaigned on a platform of preserving the Union and ending slavery. His opponent was General McClellan who advocated for peace with the South.

A protracted siege of the key Confederate supply center of Petersburg, Virginia. The Union forces, led by Grant, engaged in relentless attacks and trench warfare, leading to a stalemate that eventually forced the Confederate supply line to collapse.

Sherman's devastating military campaign through Georgia, aiming to destroy Confederate infrastructure and morale. The march was characterized by widespread destruction, leaving a trail of devastation across Georgia, and eventually culminating in the capture of Savannah.

The surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia, marking the end of the American Civil War. This event symbolized the defeat of the Confederacy and the reunification of the United States.

The Reconstruction era was an attempt to rebuild the South after the Civil War, bringing Southern states back into the Union and addressing the issues of slavery and civil rights. The process was fraught with challenges, with the rise of racial tensions and violence, as the nation struggled to define the place of African Americans in American society.

The period following the Civil War, marked by a series of challenges and social upheaval for the South. Faced with a defeated South, the Union was faced with the task of rebuilding the ravaged region and establishing a framework for reintegrating the South back into the Union. It was a period of significant change, marked by a struggle to define the place of African Americans in American society and the rise of racial tensions and violence.

The period after the American Civil War, where the process of rebuilding the South proved to be a tumultuous time for the nation. It involved restoring the Confederate states back into the Union and confronting the challenges of a rapidly changing society. The Reconstruction era brought about a series of social, political, and economic changes that left a significant mark on American society and continue to be topics of debate and study.

The period after the Civil War where the South faced a difficult transition from a defeated Confederacy to reintegration into the United States. The Reconstruction era saw the rise of social and political tensions, with the establishment of new policies that aimed to ensure equal rights for African Americans.