US History Civil War and Secession Quiz

The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, due to his anti-slavery stance, triggered the secession of Southern states, starting with South Carolina.

Southern leaders used the concept of states' rights to justify their secession. They asserted that states had the power to leave the Union to protect their sovereignty and their way of life, which included slavery.

The 1857 Supreme Court ruling in Dred Scott v. Sandford denied citizenship to African Americans and asserted Congress' lack of power to prohibit slavery in territories. This decision angered abolitionists and intensified sectional tensions.

Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas clashed over the issue of slavery expansion in the 1858 Illinois Senate race. Lincoln opposed its spread, while Douglas supported popular sovereignty, allowing settlers to decide.

The Compromise of 1850 aimed to ease tensions between free and slave states. It admitted California as a free state, allowed Utah and New Mexico to decide on slavery, strengthened the Fugitive Slave Law, and abolished the slave trade in D.C.

The Fugitive Slave Law, which was part of the Compromise of 1850, was strongly favored by the South. It required citizens to assist in capturing runaway slaves and penalized those who aided them, intensifying conflict in the North.

The Southern states saw Lincoln's election as a threat to their interests and way of life due to his anti-slavery stance, leading to a wave of secessions.

The Dred Scott decision denied citizenship to African Americans and validated the expansion of slavery into territories, further fueling the sectional divide between North and South.

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was designed to return escaped enslaved persons to their owners in the South. However, its implementation faced resistance in the North, leading to the creation of personal liberty laws and the Underground Railroad, which aided enslaved people in escaping to freedom.

The Free Soil Party focused solely on preventing the expansion of slavery into new territories, while the Republican Party advocated for a broader platform that included economic modernization and opposition to slavery's spread.

Bleeding Kansas refers to the violent conflict that erupted in the Kansas Territory between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces. This conflict stemmed from the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which allowed settlers to decide the issue of slavery through popular sovereignty.

John Brown was an abolitionist who believed in using violence to end slavery. He participated in the violence of Bleeding Kansas and later led a raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia, hoping to spark a slave rebellion.

The attack on Lawrence, Kansas, was a significant event in the violence of Bleeding Kansas. Pro-slavery forces targeted Lawrence, a stronghold of anti-slavery settlers, further intensifying sectional tensions.

The Sumner-Brooks incident involved Senator Charles Sumner, who was brutally beaten with a cane by Representative Preston Brooks after giving an anti-slavery speech. This incident highlighted the rising violence in American politics and the deepening divide over slavery.

Southern intellectuals argued that slavery was beneficial to both slaves and their masters, claiming it provided economic prosperity and social order. This argument was used to justify slavery despite the growing abolitionist movement.

The Wilmot Proviso, introduced in 1846, aimed to prohibit slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico. Although it failed to pass, it angered the South by attempting to limit the expansion of slavery.

John Brown's plan at Harpers Ferry aimed to seize a federal arsenal and distribute weapons to enslaved people to trigger a rebellion. He hoped to ignite a larger uprising, but his plan ultimately failed due to a lack of support and his forces being overwhelmed.

Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, depicted the harsh realities of slavery, particularly the brutality endured by enslaved people. Its impact galvanized anti-slavery sentiment and contributed to the rise of the abolitionist movement.

The King Cotton Theory argued that the South's reliance on cotton production would force European nations, particularly Great Britain and France, to support the Confederacy during the Civil War. However, this theory failed as European nations found alternative cotton sources and were hesitant to support a slaveholding Confederacy.

The Mexican-American War was primarily sparked by the United States' annexation of Texas and disputes over the border between the two countries. Additionally, the belief in Manifest Destiny, the idea that America was destined to expand across the continent, fueled the conflict.

Abraham Lincoln, then a Congressman, opposed the Mexican-American War, criticizing President Polk's justification for it. He questioned the war's necessity and argued it reflected an expansionist agenda.

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ending the Mexican-American War, resulted in the acquisition of vast new territories. This outcome reignited the debate over slavery in the acquired lands, intensifying sectional tensions and contributing to the rise of the Civil War.

Manifest Destiny is a belief in the expansion of American ideals, democracy, and civilization across the North American continent. It fueled American territorial expansion, justifying the annexation of Texas and the conquest of Mexican lands.

Manifest Destiny was justified by appealing to the idea of American exceptionalism, a belief in the superiority of American democratic values. It also relied on economic opportunities for settlers and the desire to spread civilization and democracy.

Union war strategy aimed at attacking not just military forces, but also civilian infrastructure to weaken the Confederacy.

The Union's use of total war proved effective in hindering Confederate resistance, accelerating the end of the war, but it came at a high moral and human cost.

The Union's total war was criticized for its brutality and impact on civilians, especially during Sherman's March to the Sea. Critics argued it was unnecessary cruelty, while supporters claimed it was crucial for ending the war.

The Union possessed greater industrial resources, a larger population, and a better transportation network, while the Confederacy had strong military leadership and a defensive strategy.

Lincoln's advantage was his ability to maintain Northern unity and political skill, while Jefferson Davis faced challenges with divided Southern leadership and limited resources. Davis's lack of a strong central government hindered war efforts.

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address redefined the Civil War as not just a struggle to preserve the Union, but also a fight for equality and democracy. It emphasized the war's moral purpose and reinforced the Union's cause.

The draft was controversial in the North because it allowed wealthier men to pay for a substitute, leading to accusations of inequality. This sparked riots, but ultimately contributed to the Union's manpower.

Ironclads were warships covered with iron plates, making them more resistant to enemy fire. The Battle of Hampton Roads marked the first clash between ironclads, revolutionizing naval warfare.

The Civil War tested U.S.-British relations, especially when Britain considered recognizing the Confederacy or supplying it with arms. The Union's diplomacy helped prevent British intervention.

Lincoln used political maneuvering, military presence, and at times, suspension of civil liberties to keep border states like Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri in the Union. This was essential for strategic advantages and preventing further division.

Lincoln suspended habeas corpus to suppress dissent and prevent potential rebellion, especially in border states. It was deemed necessary for national security, but raised concerns about civil liberties.

Lincoln's Reconstruction plan aimed for leniency, offering pardons and restoration of Southern states once 10% of voters swore allegiance to the Union. It was opposed by Radical Republicans who sought harsher measures for the South.

The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to those born or naturalized in the U.S. and ensured equal protection under the law. It was a crucial step for freed slaves' civil rights but faced Southern resistance.

The 14th Amendment was limited by Southern resistance, such as Black Codes and Jim Crow laws, which circumvented its protections. The federal government also lacked consistent enforcement.

The 15th Amendment granted African American men the right to vote, prohibiting denial based on race, color, or previous servitude. However, it didn't stop states from implementing measures to disenfranchise Black voters.

The slogan "54-40 or Fight" referred to the northern boundary of Oregon, advocating for the US to claim the entire territory. However, the US negotiated with Britain and settled for the 49th parallel, avoiding war.

Robert E. Lee was the commanding general of the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Despite his skill and tactical brilliance, his defeat marked the South's surrender and the end of the Confederacy, making him a central figure in the war's outcome.

Ulysses S. Grant was the Union Army general who led the North to victory, known for his strategy of total war and aggressive tactics. His success in key battles like Vicksburg and his leadership during the war's final stages were crucial to the Union's triumph.

George McClellan was a Union Army general early in the Civil War, known for his caution and hesitancy in engaging Confederate forces. Though he secured a strategic victory at Antietam, his failure to decisively pursue Confederate forces led to his removal.

Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson was a key Confederate general known for his aggressive tactics and pivotal role in battles like First Bull Run and the Shenandoah Valley Campaign. His death at Chancellorsville in 1863 was a major blow to the Confederate Army.

William Tecumseh Sherman was a Union general known for his "March to the Sea," a devastating campaign that targeted Southern infrastructure. This strategy aimed to break the Confederate will to fight and ultimately played a crucial role in the Union victory.

Thaddeus Stevens was a prominent Republican Congressman and leader of the Radical Republicans, advocating for immediate abolition and harsh Reconstruction policies. He played a crucial role in shaping the post-war Reconstruction era, particularly in ensuring civil rights for freed slaves.

The Battle of Antietam (September 17, 1862) was the bloodiest single day in American history, with over 22,000 casualties. Despite being tactically inconclusive, it allowed President Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.

The Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863) was a turning point in the Civil War. It marked the Confederacy's last major offensive in the North, resulting in a decisive Union victory, which strengthened Northern morale and marked the Confederate decline.

The Siege of Vicksburg (May 18 – July 4, 1863) gave the Union control of the Mississippi River, effectively splitting the Confederacy and crippling its ability to transport resources. This victory, combined with Gettysburg, was a turning point in favor of the Union.

The Wilderness Campaign (May 5-7, 1864) was a series of brutal battles between Grant and Lee in dense Virginia forests. Though inconclusive, Grant's determination to fight on, despite heavy casualties, eventually led to Union victory.

The Battle of Fredericksburg (December 11-15, 1862) was a decisive Confederate victory where General Lee's forces repelled Union assaults on well-entrenched positions. The Union defeat was a setback for General Burnside's leadership and morale.

The Battle of Shiloh (April 6-7, 1862) was one of the first major battles of the Civil War, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. The Union victory under Grant marked the beginning of the North's momentum in the Western theater.

The First Battle of Bull Run (July 21, 1861) was the first major battle of the Civil War, resulting in a Confederate victory. The Union's defeat highlighted the war's potential length and set the stage for more intense military efforts.

The initial goal of the Union in the Civil War was to preserve the United States by defeating the Confederacy. However, after the Emancipation Proclamation, the war's purpose shifted to abolishing slavery as a primary aim.

The Emancipation Proclamation, issued on January 1, 1863, declared all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory to be free. It weakened the South, encouraged African American enlistment in the Union Army, and redefined the war as a fight for human liberty.

The South vehemently rejected the Emancipation Proclamation, seeing it as an unconstitutional overreach. It galvanized Southern resolve, as they viewed the war as a fight for their independence and their way of life.

African Americans in the South viewed the Emancipation Proclamation as a beacon of hope, leading many to escape to Union lines or join the Union Army. The Proclamation gave them a stake in the war's outcome and bolstered their fight for freedom.

The Ku Klux Klan (KKK), formed in 1865, aimed to restore white supremacy in the South through terror and violence against African Americans, Republicans, and Southern whites who supported Reconstruction. They sought to undermine Reconstruction efforts and re-establish racial segregation.

Northern Moderates condemned the KKK's tactics but were hesitant to fully support federal intervention to stop them. While acknowledging the South's desire for control, their sympathy was limited due to the KKK's violence.

Southern resistance to Reconstruction took many forms, including violence by groups like the KKK, intimidation of African Americans, passing discriminatory laws like Black Codes, and political manipulation to regain control.

Black Codes were laws passed by Southern states after the Civil War that restricted African Americans' rights, such as their mobility, voting, and employment. They aimed to maintain a labor force for the South and limit the freedoms gained by former slaves.

Jim Crow laws were state and local laws in the South that enforced racial segregation from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s. They institutionalized racial discrimination in areas like schools, public transportation, and other public facilities.

President Andrew Johnson's opposition to Congress, particularly the Radical Republicans, stemmed from his leniency toward the South and his vetoing of key Reconstruction legislation. He was unwilling to support civil rights for freed slaves and opposed Congressional Reconstruction policies.

President Johnson was impeached by the House of Representatives in 1868 for violating the Tenure of Office Act by removing his Secretary of War. He was acquitted by the Senate but lost political power, allowing Reconstruction to continue without his leadership.

Sharecropping was the main source of employment for former slaves. They worked land owned by white landowners in exchange for a share of the crop. Many freedmen lacked resources to own land, trapping them in a cycle of debt and dependence.

Supporters of the "New South" believed in industrialization and economic diversification, moving beyond agriculture. They saw sharecropping as a transitional step, but it continued to trap Black Southerners in poverty and inequality.

The Compromise of 1877 resolved the disputed 1876 Presidential election by giving Rutherford B. Hayes the presidency in exchange for withdrawing federal troops from the South. This effectively ended Reconstruction, allowing Southern Democrats to reclaim power.

Redeemers were Southern Democrats who aimed to regain control of Southern state governments from Republicans during Reconstruction. They wanted to restore white supremacy and undo the progress made by African Americans.

Redeemers were successful in gaining control of Southern state governments by the late 1870s. They used political and violent means to suppress African American voting rights and re-establish segregation, marking the end of Reconstruction and the beginning of Jim Crow.

While Redeemers successfully dismantled many Reconstruction policies, some achievements, like the 14th and 15th Amendments, survived, although their effectiveness was undermined. Northerners, particularly African Americans, continued to fight for civil rights, but the Redeemers' dominance led to entrenched racial segregation and inequality.

Established in 1865, the Freedmen's Bureau was a federal agency that provided food, shelter, education, and legal assistance to former slaves. Its effectiveness was limited by political opposition, lack of funding, and Southern white resistance.

The Freedmen's Bureau achieved some successes in education and providing aid, but its overall effectiveness was limited by lack of resources, political opposition, and the rise of white supremacy. It was dissolved in 1872, leaving African Americans vulnerable to the racist policies of Jim Crow.