0004 Civil War and Reconstruction (SMR 2.4) Flashcards
What were the strengths of the Union during the Civil War? (4)
- Greater population/manpower
- Manufactured goods to equip union soldiers
- Greater food production
- Extensive Railroad and Waterway system for troops & communication
What were the weaknesses of the Union during the Civil War? (2)
- Lacked strong military leadership
2. Motivation to fight was abstract & occasionally contentious (i.e. 1863 NY Race Riots)
What were the 1863 NY Race Riots?
an eruption of violence in Manhattan both about the draft (and the fact that rich people could buy their way out of the draft) as well as concern about African Americans taking their jobs because of the Emancipation Proclamation (showed a weakness in the Union)
Why was there a greater population in the Union than in the Confederacy?
many people flocked to the north because that was where the jobs were (slaves held most of the jobs in the south)
Why did the Union lack strong military leadership?
upper classes in North had other professional options (bankers, lawyers, doctors, etc.) meant that upper classes didn’t take part in traditional military or politics
What were the strengths of the Confederacy during the Civil War? (3)
- Excellent generals
- Highly motivated soldiers as their way of life was being threatened
- Desirable cash crops that made Britain and France inclined to assist for trade reasons
Why did the Confederacy have excellent generals?
Culture of Plantocracy drives upper class to the military, tradition of aristocracy is to get wealthy from the land and then to fight / be warriors, the trend was for sons of plantation owners to enlist in the army/navy until they inherited the plantation
Why did the generals in the Confederacy threaten the Union?
Because many of the US military and political leaders in the Confederacy used to be part of the US military and therefore had a lot of intel (i.e Robert E. Lee)
What were the weaknesses of the Confederacy during the Civil War? (4)
- Lack of modernized economy (though Jefferson Davis tried)
- Strong economy ONLY in one sector (cash crops)
- Don’t manufacture weapons and guns so there are less available
- Much smaller white population to fight
Why was the April 12, 1861 Battle of Fort Sumter important during the civil war?
It was the first battle of the Civil War
If was one of the few harbors for trade in the South making it geopolitcally important
It was federal property that was conquered by Confederate General Beauregard
What Confederate General successfully conquered at the Battle of Fort Sumter?
Confederate General Beauregard (many generals had federal knowledge because they used to fight for the US military which gives them an advantage)
Why was the July 21, 1861 The First Battle of Bull Run important during the Civil War?
Entry of Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson (important because he is the best strategist in the whole war, knows how to demoralize the other side), showcases how confederate side had better commanding officers, confederates are generally winning and eats away at the Union army; confederates win
Who was Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson?
One of the best Confederate strategists in the whole war, he knew how to demoralize the Union, showed strength at the First Battle of Bull Run
Why was the September 17, 1862 Battle of Antietam important in the Civil War? (3)
- The Bloodiest Battle in American History (22k casualties)
- Robert E. Lee is defeated and has to retreat
- Loss of hope for Confederate states to get recognition and support from the European powers
Why was the June 1863 Battle of Gettysburg important?
Robert E. Lee wanted to invade north (Pennsylvania) & end the war but General Meade from the Union defeats Lee
Why was it important that the North blockaded the coast in 1864 during the Civil War? (2)
- It hurts the South b/c trade was how they were getting the weapons they needed to fight, and can’t sell their cotton/tobacco
- Union now controls the Mississippi and splits the Confederacy in half landwise
What event during the Civil War renewed the war effort and allowed William Tecumseh Sherman to invade Georgia?
President Lincoln’s re-election in 1864
Who invaded Georgia with a scorched earth policy?
William Tecumseh Sherman
What is the scorched earth policy?
A military strategy that aims to destroy everything and anything that might be useful to an enemy when retreating from a position. Implemented by William Tecumseh Sherman during the Civil War
What city in Georgia was spared from William Tecumseh Sherman’s scorched earth strategy?
Savannah
On April 3, 1865, the fall of ______ forced the Confederacy to retreat
Richmond, VA (capital city of Confederacy)
What important event during the civil war happened on April 9, 1865 that almost ended the war?
Robert E. Lee surrenders to Ulysses S. Grant, surrendering nearly 50% of the confederate forces
Who killed President Lincoln?
John Wilkes Booth on April 15, 1865
What were some of the main battles of the Civil War? (4)
- The Battle of Fort Sumter
- The First Battle of Bull Run
- The Battle of Antietam
- The Battle of Gettysburg
What changes in the attitudes of slavery lead to the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863?
Before this the war was not necessarily about slavery and politicians in the north were taking a middle road approach to the issue because certain northern states like New York relied on Southern States for trade, etc. BUT around 1863, Lincoln starts to realize that abolitionists can help the movement
What document and speech came about in 1863 that served as a turning point in the civil war?
The Emancipation Proclamation in Jan 1863 and The Gettysburg Address in November 1863
What did the Emancipation Proclamation serve to do and why was this controversial?
It was meant to free slaves in the Confederate States but the Union had no authority to do this therefore it was virtually ineffective
BUT it did change the purpose of the war to one about slavery and it would later lead to the 13th amendment
What was the Gettysburg Address?
A speech given by President Lincoln in November 1863 that defined the war as one realizing the ideals of the constitution and equality for all citizens.
Why was the Gettysburg address important?
Because by calling for equality he essentially claims that all slaves will be free and that this is a war against slavery
When the slaves are freed they will be viewed as citizens and protected by the constitution
What was the impact of the war on the Union? (3)
- Demand for war related goods spurred manufacturing, economy comes back after the war stronger than ever
2 Standard of living decreased for many who had served in the war because of the draft of 1963
- Tremendous increase in power of central govt