US History Chapter 15 Flashcards

Battles and Military Strategies

• Bull Run: First major battle; demonstrated initial overconfidence as spectators treated it like a picnic. Technology favored the South through effective troop mobilization.
• Antietam: Significant battle in 1862 where Union General McClellan forced Confederate General Lee to retreat, marking the bloodiest single-day battle in American history.
• Gettysburg: Turning point in the war during July 1863; more than 51,000 casualties. Lee's retreat marked the decline of Confederate momentum.
• Vicksburg: Grant's siege in 1863 resulted in the Union gaining control of the Mississippi River, splitting the Confederacy.
• Chancellorsville: Lee's tactical victory with outnumbered forces against General Hooker; showcases Lee's strategic acumen.
• Appomattox: Site of Robert E. Lee’s surrender to Ulysses S. Grant, effectively marking the end of the Civil War.

Military Leaders

• George McClellan: Organized the Army of the Potomac after Bull Run; criticized for hesitance in engaging Confederate forces.
• Robert E. Lee: Commander of the Confederate army, known for his leadership and tactical skills.
• Ulysses S. Grant: Union general noted for his aggressive strategies and successful siege tactics.
• Clara Barton: Pioneering nurse who founded the American Red Cross; worked on identifying war casualties.

Political and Social Context

• Radical Republicans: Group opposing Lincoln’s strategies, insisting on the war's focus on ending slavery.
• Copperheads: Northern Democrats advocating for peace, even at the cost of allowing slavery to continue.
• Habeas Corpus: Legal principle that was suspended during the war, allowing for arrests without trial.
• Union Party: Temporary name change for the Republican Party to unify war supporters during Lincoln's re-election campaign.

Economic and Social Impact

• Total War: Military strategy aimed at destroying the enemy's will and ability to fight by targeting civilian infrastructure.
• Greenbacks: Paper money issued by the North during the war, aimed at financing military efforts.
• Conscription: Mandatory enlistment practices employed by both North and South to bolster troop numbers.
• U.S. Sanitary Commission: Relief organization focused on improving conditions for Union soldiers, highlighting the war's humanitarian aspects.

Emancipation and Civil Rights

• Emancipation Proclamation: Lincoln's 1862 announcement freeing slaves in Confederate states, framing the war as a fight against slavery.
• Reactions to Proclamation: Shift in Union objectives to include abolition due to pressures from abolitionists and Radical Republicans.

Contributions of Minorities

• African-American Soldiers: Approximately 200,000 served in the Union Army; significant contributions made despite barriers in the Confederacy.
• Women’s Roles: Women took on agricultural and industrial roles, becoming critical supporters of war efforts behind the lines, including nursing and logistics.

Strategic Advantages

• North's Advantages: Larger population, superior industrial resources, and cohesive military strategy aimed at crippling the South.
• South's Advantages: Strong military tradition and the initial ability to leverage European support for resources.

Military Tactics and Operations

• Grant’s Strategy: Adopted a relentless approach, focusing on attrition and maintaining troop levels to outlast the Confederacy.
• Sherman's March: Tactic of "foraging" which devastated Southern resources and morale; aimed to demoralize and weaken opposition.

Notable Events

• Fort Sumter: Marked the Civil War's beginning; Confederate attack on the fort led to escalated conflict and Northern enlistment calls.
• San Francisco: Key location for Union defenses against potential Confederate attack, illustrating the war's national reach.

Personalities in History

• Andrew Johnson: Lincoln's vice president who assumed the presidency after Lincoln’s assassination, influencing post-war Reconstruction policies.
• John Wilkes Booth: Infamous Confederate sympathizer who assassinated Lincoln, impacting the nation’s post-war direction.

Test your knowledge on key events from Chapter 15 of US History. This quiz covers significant battles, including Bull Run and Antietam, and provides definitions and insights into their historical context. Perfect for reviewing important concepts and terms before your next exam.