Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was a direct consequence of Lincoln's election in 1860 that heightened tensions and led to the secession of Southern states?
What was a direct consequence of Lincoln's election in 1860 that heightened tensions and led to the secession of Southern states?
- The establishment of new tariffs favoring Northern industries.
- The immediate abolition of slavery in all states.
- South Carolina's fear that a Republican president would end slavery. (correct)
- A call for immediate military action against Southern states.
Following the secession of South Carolina, how did the Southern states initially organize themselves in February 1861?
Following the secession of South Carolina, how did the Southern states initially organize themselves in February 1861?
- By forming the Confederate States of America. (correct)
- By forming a military alliance with European powers.
- By establishing independent nations with separate trade agreements.
- By petitioning the Union for a compromise on states' rights.
What was Abraham Lincoln's primary stated objective at the start of the Civil War?
What was Abraham Lincoln's primary stated objective at the start of the Civil War?
- To immediately abolish slavery nationwide.
- To punish the Southern states for seceding.
- To expand federal control over states' rights.
- To preserve the Union, even if it meant not freeing all enslaved people. (correct)
What strategic dilemma did President Lincoln face concerning Fort Sumter?
What strategic dilemma did President Lincoln face concerning Fort Sumter?
What was the immediate consequence of the Confederate forces firing on Fort Sumter?
What was the immediate consequence of the Confederate forces firing on Fort Sumter?
What critical decision did Lincoln make regarding reinforcing or abandoning Fort Sumter?
What critical decision did Lincoln make regarding reinforcing or abandoning Fort Sumter?
How did the attack on Fort Sumter influence the secession of additional states?
How did the attack on Fort Sumter influence the secession of additional states?
What characterized the 'Border States' during the Civil War?
What characterized the 'Border States' during the Civil War?
How did the counties in western Virginia respond to Virginia's secession from the Union?
How did the counties in western Virginia respond to Virginia's secession from the Union?
What was a distinctive feature of the Confederate States of America's constitution compared to the U.S. Constitution?
What was a distinctive feature of the Confederate States of America's constitution compared to the U.S. Constitution?
What was a significant advantage the Union possessed over the Confederacy during the Civil War?
What was a significant advantage the Union possessed over the Confederacy during the Civil War?
What was the main drawback of the Union having to fight an offensive war?
What was the main drawback of the Union having to fight an offensive war?
What strategic advantage did the Confederacy hope to gain with 'King Cotton Diplomacy'?
What strategic advantage did the Confederacy hope to gain with 'King Cotton Diplomacy'?
What was a notable disadvantage for the Confederacy that ultimately impacted its war efforts?
What was a notable disadvantage for the Confederacy that ultimately impacted its war efforts?
What critical difference between the North and the South dictated their approaches to the war?
What critical difference between the North and the South dictated their approaches to the war?
Flashcards
Election of 1860
Election of 1860
Occurred in 1860, where Lincoln's victory led South Carolina to fear the end of slavery and secede from the Union.
Confederate States of America
Confederate States of America
These states, seven in total in 1861, formed their nation after seceding from the Union.
Lincoln's view on secession
Lincoln's view on secession
Lincoln viewed secession as illegal and pledged to maintain the Union.
Fort Sumter situation, April 1861
Fort Sumter situation, April 1861
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Border States
Border States
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Western Virginia's stance on slavery
Western Virginia's stance on slavery
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Creation of West Virginia
Creation of West Virginia
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Union advantages
Union advantages
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Union's challenge
Union's challenge
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Confederate strategy
Confederate strategy
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King Cotton Diplomacy
King Cotton Diplomacy
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Confederacy disadvantages
Confederacy disadvantages
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Confederate Constitution
Confederate Constitution
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Confederate President
Confederate President
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Study Notes
- The Civil War lasted from 1861 to 1865.
Secession in the South
- After the election of 1860, in which Lincoln won, South Carolina feared a Republican president would end slavery.
- South Carolina seceded from the Union, with 7 states seceding to form the Confederate States of America in 1861.
- The Deep South seceded in February 1861, but the Upper South remained initially in the Union.
The Confederacy
- The Confederate Constitution was similar to the US Constitution, but protected slavery and states' rights.
- Additionally, it outlawed tariffs and created a weak national government.
- Jefferson Davis was elected Confederate President.
Views on Secession
- Lincoln viewed secession as illegal and promised to preserve the Union.
- Lincoln stated his paramount object was to save the Union, whether by freeing slaves, not freeing slaves, freeing soem slaves or leaving others alone.
Starting the Civil War: Fort Sumter
- In April 1861, federal Union soldiers refused Confederate demands to vacate Fort Sumter, SC.
- Lincoln faced a dilemma to protect or surrender the fort. Options considered:
- Protecting the fort was risky, possibly leading remaining southern states to secede and cause a foreign reaction.
- Surrendering the fort would make the Union look weak and be unable to preserve the Union.
- Lincoln decided not to abandon Fort Sumter but did not send reinforcements, only aid to soldiers.
- Confederates fired on Fort Sumter, beginning the Civil War.
Results of Fort Sumter
- The Upper South seceded and joined the Confederacy.
- Not all slave states seceded, with Border States remaining in the Union throughout the Civil War. They included DE, MD, MO, and KY along with West Virginia.
West Virginia
- The western counties in Virginia were mostly anti-slavery.
- When Virginia seceded, these counties then seceded from Virginia and rejoined the US, becoming West Virginia.
Strengths & Weaknesses of the Union
- The Union had a larger population of troops, more industry and factories, and more railroads.
- The Union strengths were offset by the need to fight an offensive war.
- The Union needed to also maintain support on the homefront for a long and violent war.
- The Union had 58% of the land in farms, 71% of the population, 71% of railroad track and 86% of factories.
Strengths & Weaknesses of Confederacy
- The Confederacy did not need to "win," just needed to outlast the North.
- Superior military commanders like Robert. E. Lee, and potential European allies (France & Great Britain) were advantages to the Confederacy
- "King Cotton Diplomacy" hoped to entice European support.
- Less industry, fewer railroads, and a lower population were weaknesses of the Confederacy.
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