Turning Points of Civil War Flashcards

Turning Points of the Civil War

First Battle of Bull Run: Marked the realization that the war would not be brief; showcased the need for military training on both sides; resulted in a Confederate victory.
Battle of Antietam: Occurred on northern soil, aimed at gaining support for the Confederacy by provoking pro-Confederate sentiment in the North. It was the bloodiest single day in U.S. history with around 26,000 casualties; led to a Union victory and gave Lincoln the opportunity to announce the Emancipation Proclamation.
Emancipation Proclamation: Issued by Lincoln on September 22, 1862, it freed enslaved individuals in rebel states while excluding border states. It shifted the war's focus from solely preserving the Union to addressing slavery.
Battle of Chancellorsville: A tactical victory for Confederate General Robert E. Lee, despite facing a larger Union force. The battle resulted in over 18,000 Union casualties and the loss of Stonewall Jackson, whose death significantly impacted the Confederate leadership.
Battle of Gettysburg: A critical defeat for the Confederacy, as Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania ended with a Union victory, forcing Confederate troops to retreat to Virginia.
Battle of Vicksburg: A monumental Union victory under General Ulysses S. Grant, granting the North complete control of the Mississippi River and executing a key element of the Anaconda Plan.
Anaconda Plan: Proposed by Union General Winfield Scott, this three-part strategy aimed to blockade Confederate ports and control the Mississippi River to squeeze the South economically and militarily.
Sherman's March to the Sea: Led by General William Tecumseh Sherman, this campaign utilized total war tactics to destroy southern infrastructure and resources, notably capturing Atlanta and Savannah, which bolstered Northern morale.
Total War Strategy: Successfully employed by both Grant and Sherman, focusing on the complete destruction of the enemy's resources to hasten victory.
Election of 1864: A pivotal election between Lincoln and George McClellan, where Lincoln focused on reunification while McClellan aimed to end the war. Despite anti-war sentiment, Lincoln won reelection.
Appomattox Courthouse: Site of Robert E. Lee's surrender to Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the Civil War shortly before Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth.
Gettysburg Address: Delivered by Lincoln, reaffirming the principles of liberty and democracy, addressing the nation’s moral imperatives in context of the Civil War.
Confederate Strategy: A defensive approach that aimed to capitalize on opportunities to attack the North, while seeking European aid based on cotton diplomacy.
Border States: States such as Missouri, Kentucky, Delaware, and Maryland that remained in the Union despite allowing slavery; their retention was crucial for Union resources and manufacturing capacity.
African American Participation: Early roles included support roles like cooks and grave diggers, evolving into combat roles as the war progressed, significantly influencing the Union’s manpower.
Southern Strategy: Emphasized defense of territory while leveraging cotton for foreign support; aimed to capture Washington D.C. to expedite the war’s conclusion.
Ulysses S. Grant: Became the head of the Union Army, leading crucial victories, including those at Vicksburg and ultimately achieving the surrender of Confederate forces at Appomattox.
George McClellan: The first commander of the Union Army, known for being overly cautious and was later dismissed by Lincoln.
Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson: A valiant Confederate commander known for his role at Bull Run; his death at Chancellorsville marked a significant blow to Confederate morale and tactics.