Civil War Overview and Key Concepts

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Questions and Answers

What is Fort Sumter known for?

Cut off from vital supplies by Southern control; Lincoln announced he was sending food to the garrison and South attacked starting the Civil War.

What does habeas corpus require?

Requires a person under arrest to be brought before a judge or into court.

The Wartime Advantages of the North include a larger population, a navy, a stable economy, a central government, and better _____.

leaders

The Wartime Advantages of the South included a defensive war, shorter routes to travel, and more motivation for _____.

independence Signup and view all the answers

Who was the President of the Confederacy?

Jefferson Davis Signup and view all the answers

Who was Alexander H. Stephens?

Vice President of the Confederacy; valued states rights the most. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Battle of Bull Run?

It was the first major battle where General Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson defeated the Union troops. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson?

Successful Confederate general; victor at the Battle of Bull Run. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Anaconda Plan?

Blockade of Southern ports, divide Confederacy by control of the Mississippi River, and raise an army to take Richmond, VA. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Union General-in-Chief and creator of the Anaconda Plan?

Winfield Scott Signup and view all the answers

What did Robert E. Lee accomplish?

Commander of the South's eastern forces; defeated the Union in the Peninsula Campaign. Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Battle of Antietam?

McClellan forced Lee to retreat; technically a draw but benefitted the North. Signup and view all the answers

What occurred at the Battle of Fredericksburg?

The Union suffered immense defeat under General Burnside against Lee. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Monitor and Merrimac battle?

It was a naval battle that ended in a draw but was advantageous for the North. Signup and view all the answers

Who captured Fort Henry and Donelson?

Ulysses S. Grant Signup and view all the answers

Who was David Farragut?

Captured New Orleans as the head of the Union navy. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Trent Affair?

Confederate diplomats captured by Union ship angered Great Britain. Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the Alabama during the Civil War?

Confederate commercial raider that captured over 60 U.S. ships. Signup and view all the answers

What were the Confiscation Acts?

Gave power to seize enemy property used to wage war against the U.S. Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Emancipation Proclamation?

It aimed to free slaves in rebelling states and allowed escaped slaves to join the Union army. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Thirteenth Amendment accomplish?

Official prohibition of slavery in the United States. Signup and view all the answers

What happened at the Battle of Gettysburg?

Lee's army attacked but was forced to retreat; bloodiest battle of the war. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Vicksburg?

The Union gained control of the Mississippi, cutting off TX, LA, and AK. Signup and view all the answers

What did Sherman's March entail?

Led by Sherman, Union troops marched through the South destroying everything. Signup and view all the answers

Who won the election of 1864?

Lincoln won in a landslide, but the popular vote was close. Signup and view all the answers

What happened at Appomattox Court House?

Lee was forced to surrender to Grant. Signup and view all the answers

Who was John Wilkes Booth?

Lincoln's assassin. Signup and view all the answers

What were Copperheads?

Northerners opposed to the war. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Ex Parte Milligan case about?

Supreme Court ruled against military trials when civilian trials were available. Signup and view all the answers

What were the draft riots?

Riots in which mostly Irish-American mobs attacked blacks and wealthy whites. Signup and view all the answers

What are greenbacks?

Paper currency issued by the U.S. treasury. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Morrill Tariff Act (1861) accomplish?

Raised tariff rates to increase revenue and protect American manufacturers. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Homestead Act (1862) promote?

Settlement of the Great Plains by offering 160 acres of public land for farming. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Morrill Land Grant Act (1862)?

Encouraged states to maintain agricultural and technical colleges. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Pacific Railway Act (1862) authorize?

Building of a transcontinental railroad over a northern route. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fort Sumter

Initiated the Civil War when the South attacked after Lincoln's announcement to resupply the garrison.

Habeas Corpus

Legal principle requiring arresting authorities to present individuals before a judge; suspended by Lincoln during the war to apprehend suspected Southern spies.

Wartime Advantages (North)

Larger population bolstered by immigrants and freed slaves.
Superior navy capability.
Strong manufacturing base and a stable banking system.
Centralized federal authority to coordinate war efforts.
Access to prominent military leaders.

Wartime Advantages (South)

Fighting a defensive war on familiar territory.
Short travel routes within its borders.
Relied on exaggerated overseas demand for cotton.
Greater motivation for independence among its populace.

Key Confederate Leaders

Jefferson Davis: President of the Confederacy focused on centralizing power during the war.
Alexander H. Stephens: Vice President who prioritized states' rights.

Major Battles

Bull Run: First significant battle, with General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson leading a Confederate victory.
Antietam: McClellan forced Lee to retreat; marked as a strategic benefit for the North despite being technically a draw.
Fredericksburg: Major defeat for Union forces under General Burnside, facing Lee's command.

Union Military Strategies

Winfield Scott: Architect of Anaconda Plan, aiming to blockade Southern ports, divide the Confederacy, and capture Richmond.
George McClellan: Union Army commander known for delaying battles for training, eventually replaced multiple times.
Ulysses S. Grant: Key Union general who captured Fort Henry and Fort Donelson.

Naval Engagements

Monitor and Merrimac: Historic naval clash resulting in a draw but preventing Southern naval dominance.

Key Events and Incidents

Trent Affair: Diplomatic incident involving Confederate diplomats; Lincoln's resolution to avoid war with Britain.
Alabama: Confederate raider that disrupted US shipping before being compensated post-war.
Laird Rams: Ironclad ships the Confederacy aimed to acquire; British neutrality led to halted sales.

Legal and Legislative Actions

Confiscation Acts: Allowed seizure of enemy property, included enslaved individuals to weaken the South.
Emancipation Proclamation: Freed slaves in rebelling states and authorized their enlistment in the Union army.
Thirteenth Amendment: Constitutionally abolished slavery in the United States.

Other Significant Battles

Gettysburg: Turning point battle where Lee's forces retreated; marked as the bloodiest conflict of the war.
Vicksburg: Union victory under Grant resulting in control of the Mississippi River, isolating Southern states.

War Tactics and Strategies

Sherman's March: Led to widespread destruction in the South to demoralize Confederates during their military campaign.

Election of 1864

Lincoln vs. McClellan, with Lincoln emerging victorious despite a close popular vote.

War Aftermath

Appomattox Court House: Site of Lee's surrender to Grant, marking a decisive end to significant Confederate military resistance.
John Wilkes Booth: Assassinated President Lincoln shortly after the war ended.

Copperheads: Northerners who opposed the Civil War and called for peace with the South.
Draft Riots: Associated with resistance to conscription, leading to violence against black communities and wealthier whites.

Post-War Legal Developments

Ex Parte Milligan: Supreme Court case ruling against military trials when civilian processes were available.

Economic and Land Legislation

Greenbacks: Paper currency issued to support the war effort.
Morrill Tariff Act: Increased tariffs to fund the Union war effort and protect American industries.
Homestead Act: Provided free land for settlement in the Great Plains by those who would farm it for five years.
Morrill Land Grant Act: Enabled federal land sales to support agricultural and technical colleges.
Pacific Railway Act: Facilitated the construction of a transcontinental railroad connecting the East and West.

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Description

Explore the pivotal moments and principles of the Civil War, including the attack on Fort Sumter, the suspension of habeas corpus, and the advantages held by both the North and the South. Learn about key leaders and their roles in the conflict as you deepen your understanding of this significant period in American history.