1848-1877 1/2/2025 Flashcards
What action did Lincoln take in response to the defeat at Bull Run?
Enlisted 500,000 men
This was part of his strategy to bolster the Union army after the loss.
Who did Lincoln appoint to lead the Union army originally?
General George McClellan
McClellan was tasked with reorganizing the Union forces.
What was the primary objective of the Union armies in the West?
To take over the Mississippi River
Control of the river was crucial for supply lines.
In which Confederate state was the Union trying to gain control of the Mississippi River in February 1862?
Tennessee
Tennessee was a strategic location for Union operations.
Who was the new General leading the Union forces during the campaign for the Mississippi River?
Ulysses S. Grant
Grant became a key figure in the Union’s Western campaigns.
What significant victories did General Grant achieve in just 11 days?
Captured Fort Henry and Fort Donelson
These victories were instrumental in securing the Cumberland River.
How many Confederate soldiers were captured after the battles of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson?
14,000
This significant capture weakened Confederate defenses.
What was the outcome of the surprise attack on the Union by the Confederate army at Shiloh?
The Union held its own and forced the Confederates to retreat
The battle resulted in over 23,000 casualties from both sides.
What was the name of the church where Grant’s troops were attacked in March 1862?
Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh was one of the early major battles in the Western Theater.
Which city did Grant capture with the help of commander David Farragut?
New Orleans
The capture of New Orleans was a significant strategic victory for the Union.
What was the Union’s hope for winning the war dependent on?
Maximizing its economic and naval advantages
The Union aimed to leverage its superior resources to secure victory.
Name the ironclad ship used by the Union.
Monitor
The Monitor was a key vessel in the naval battles of the Civil War.
Name the ironclad ship used by the Confederates.
Merrimac
The Merrimac was significant in the early naval battles.
How long did the duel between the Monitor and Merrimac last?
5 hours
This duel was notable for being one of the first between ironclad warships.
What was the outcome of the duel between the Monitor and Merrimac?
Ended in a draw
Despite no clear winner, the duel was pivotal in naval warfare.
What significant impact did the duel have on naval warfare?
Stopped the Confederates from challenging the US naval blockade
This marked a turning point in how naval engagements were conducted.
Who insisted the train be ready for battle for a long period?
General George McClellan
In which month and year did the Union invade Virginia?
March 1862
What was the Union’s objective in invading Virginia?
To capture the capital Richmond
Who was the Confederate General that stopped the Union invasion?
Robert E. Lee
Where did McClellan retreat back to after the invasion?
Potomac
What advantage did McClellan have during the conflict with Lee?
He knew Lee’s battle plan
How did the Union obtain Lee’s battle plan?
It was dropped accidentally by a Confederate soldier
Where did the Union intercept the invading Confederates?
Antietam Creek in Maryland
What is considered the bloodiest single day of combat in the entire war?
The Battle of Antietam
How many soldiers were killed or wounded at the Battle of Antietam?
More than 22,000
What did Lee’s army do after the battle?
Retreated back to Virginia
Why was Lincoln upset with McClellan after the Battle of Antietam?
He didn’t take advantage of the weakened Confederates
What did Lincoln state about McClellan’s performance?
He had a ‘bad case of the slows’
What was the significance of the Battle of Antietam?
It was a decisive battle
What were the Confederates hoping to achieve by winning in a Northern state?
To show Britain they were worthy of financial aid
Was the Battle of Antietam considered a clear victory for either side?
No, it was really a draw but the Union took it as a partial win
What were the Confederates hoping to secure from Britain and/or France?
Help
Which group in Britain was hoping to break up the American democracy?
Wealthy British aristocrats
What did Britain decide regarding the Southern cotton?
They didn’t need it
What policy did Britain decide was best during this time?
Neutrality
Who were the Confederate diplomats involved in the Trent Affair?
James Mason and John Slidell
What was the name of the British ship that carried Mason and Slidell to England?
The Trent
What action did a Union warship take against the Trent?
Stopped the boat and removed Mason and Slidell
What was the consequence of the Union warship’s actions regarding Mason and Slidell?
They were brought back to the US as prisoners of war
What did Britain threaten over the Trent Affair?
War unless Mason and Slidell were released
What was Abraham Lincoln’s response to Britain’s threat regarding the Trent Affair?
He gave in and they were set free
Fill in the blank: Slidell and Mason had _______ because no one wanted them as a result of the Trent affair
nowhere to go
What did Lincoln originally describe slavery as?
An unqualified evil
Lincoln’s strong moral stance against slavery.
What was Lincoln’s initial attitude towards taking action against slavery?
Hesitant
Lincoln was cautious about the implications of acting against slavery.
List Lincoln’s concerns regarding slavery.
- Keeping the support of the border states
- Constitutional protections of slavery
- Racial prejudice of many Northerners
- Fear of premature action being overturned in the next election
These concerns influenced Lincoln’s approach to slavery.
In what year did Lincoln decide to use his powers to free enslaved persons?
July 1862
This marked a significant turning point in Lincoln’s presidency regarding slavery.
True or False: Lincoln was always in favor of immediate action against slavery.
False
Lincoln’s initial hesitance indicates he was not always in favor of immediate action.
Fill in the blank: Lincoln had concerns about keeping the support of the _______.
border states
The border states were slave states that did not secede from the Union.
What date was the Emancipation Proclamation issued?
January 1, 1863
This date marks the formal announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation by the President.
What was the main effect of the Emancipation Proclamation?
All slaves are free and there are no more slaves allowed
This statement was a key component of the proclamation, signaling a shift in policy.
Which states were listed in the Emancipation Proclamation?
Arkansas to Virginia
These states were specifically mentioned as part of the proclamation.
What was the significance of the Emancipation Proclamation in relation to the Union’s goals?
The Union was now working towards the abolition of slavery rather than just secession
This shift indicated a change in the Union’s focus during the Civil War.
What did the Emancipation Proclamation authorize regarding freed slaves?
The use of freed slaves as Union soldiers
This provision significantly increased the size of the Union army.
Who were the Copperheads?
Northern Democrats who sympathized with the South
They opposed the Civil War and sought peace with the Confederacy.
What happened to Copperheads who spoke against the war?
They were arrested and held without trial
This included notable figures like Clement Vallandigham.
Who was Clement Vallandigham?
Ohio Congressman who urged the Union army to desert the war
He was the most famous Copperhead and was convicted by a military court.
What is conscription?
A draft that allows certain members of the population to join the army
Those who refused to join could be charged a $300 fee.
What were the Draft Riots?
Riots that occurred from July 13-16, 1863, in NY
Mobs of angry poor workers protested against fighting a war to free slaves while they faced poverty and disease.
Fill in the blank: Copperheads were Northern Democrats who _______.
sympathized with the South
True or False: Clement Vallandigham was arrested for urging the Union army to continue the war.
False
He urged them to desert the war.
What fee was imposed on individuals who refused to join the army under conscription?
$300
How many African Americans served in the Union army and navy after the Emancipation Proclamation?
Nearly 200,000
These were newly freed slaves who enlisted to fight.
In what type of units were African American soldiers segregated?
All-black units
This segregation was a common practice during the Civil War.
What was the Army of Freedom?
The designation for African American soldiers who served in the Union army
It highlights their contribution and sacrifices during the Civil War.
How many African American soldiers died while serving in the Union army?
More than 37,000
Their bravery and sacrifices were significant in the fight for freedom.
True or False: African American soldiers won the respect of white soldiers.
True
Their courageous performance in battle earned them respect.
What were the three factors causing food shortages in the South during the war?
The three factors were:
* Drain of manpower into the army
* Union occupation of food-growing areas
* Loss of slaves
These factors significantly impacted agricultural production in the South.
How did the economy of the North change during the war?
The economy of the North started to see positive growth.
This growth was driven by increased demand for supplies and support for the war effort.
What types of industries benefited from the increased demand during the war in the North?
Industries that benefited included:
* Coal Mines
* Wool Mills
* Steel Factories
These industries were crucial for supporting wartime needs.
