Chapter 14: Two Societies at War Flashcards
Crittenden Compromise
A proposed series of constitutional amendments in 1860-1861 aimed at preventing the secession of Southern states and preserving the Union, but it was not adopted.
total war
A military strategy in which all aspects of a nation’s resources, civilian and military, are targeted in pursuit of victory, often resulting in extensive destruction.
draft (conscription)
The mandatory enrollment of citizens into the military, typically during times of war or national emergency.
habeas corpus
The legal principle that protects individuals from unlawful detention or imprisonment without a justifiable reason.
King Cotton
A term used to describe the economic and political influence of the cotton industry in the Southern United States before and during the Civil War.
greenbacks
Paper currency issued by the United States government during the Civil War, not backed by gold or silver, used to finance the war effort.
“contrabands”
Enslaved individuals who escaped to Union lines during the Civil War and were considered property seized from the enemy, leading to freedom for many.
Radical Republicans
A faction within the Republican Party during and after the Civil War that advocated for harsher treatment of the South, civil rights for formerly enslaved individuals, and a more aggressive approach to Reconstruction.
Emancipation Proclamation
An executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 that declared enslaved individuals in Confederate territory to be free.
scorched-earth campaign
A military strategy in which the invading army intentionally destroys resources and infrastructure to hinder the enemy’s ability to fight effectively, often causing significant civilian hardship.
War and Peace Democrats
A faction within the Democratic Party during the Civil War that advocated for a negotiated peace with the Confederacy, as opposed to a continuation of the war.
“hard war”
The strategy of using brutal and destructive methods in warfare to achieve victory, often involving the intentional targeting of civilian infrastructure.
March to the Sea
A military campaign led by Union General William Tecumseh Sherman in 1864 during the American Civil War, characterized by the deliberate destruction of Confederate resources and infrastructure as Union forces advanced through Georgia to the Atlantic coast.
