civil war Flashcards
What were the Union’s main advantages at the start of the Civil War?
Larger population and industrial capacity, greater economic resources, stronger naval forces, and a centralized government.
What were the Confederacy’s main advantages at the start of the Civil War?
Fighting a defensive war on their own territory, highly motivated soldiers, experienced military leadership, and the ability to wage a guerrilla-style war.
What were the primary weaknesses of the Union at the start of the war?
Lack of experienced military leadership, divided public opinion, and logistical challenges.
What were the primary weaknesses of the Confederacy at the start of the war?
Limited industrial capacity, smaller population, and lack of a centralized transportation system.
How did the Southern economy change over the course of the war, and why?
The Southern economy deteriorated due to the Union blockade, loss of slave labor, and hyperinflation caused by excessive printing of Confederate currency.
How did the Northern economy change over the course of the war, and why?
The Northern economy experienced significant growth due to increased demand for war materials and the expansion of the railroad system.
Which Union general is often blamed for the Union’s early failures, and why
General George B. McClellan is often blamed for being overly cautious and failing to take advantage of opportunities to defeat the Confederate forces.
In which area did the Union have the most success in the early part of the war, and which general was responsible?
The Union had the most success in the Western area, with General Ulysses S. Grant responsible for many of these victories.
What significant battle enabled Lincoln to announce the Emancipation Proclamation, and what were his motivations for issuing it?
The Union victory at the Battle of Antietam enabled Lincoln to announce the Emancipation Proclamation, which he hoped would turn the war into a struggle to end slavery, prevent European intervention, and encourage the enlistment of African Americans.
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Which groups of enslaved people were freed by the Emancipation Proclamation, and which were not?
The Emancipation Proclamation freed enslaved people in the Confederate-held territories, but did not free those in the Union-held border states or areas of the Confederacy already under Union control.
How did radical, moderate, and conservative Northerners react to the Emancipation Proclamation?
Radicals supported it, moderates saw it as a necessary war measure, and conservatives opposed it.
Radicals supported it, moderates saw it as a necessary war measure, and conservatives opposed it.
Gettysburg and Vicksburg were major turning points in the war, with the Union gaining significant strategic advantages.
How did the Democratic and Republican positions differ in the 1864 election?
The Democrats opposed the continuation of the war, while the Republicans supported Lincoln’s leadership and the preservation of the Union.
Why did Lincoln win the 1864 election, and by what margin?
Lincoln won the election due to the Union’s military successes and the public’s confidence in his leadership, winning by a significant margin.
What was the first African American regiment organized in the North?
The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, one of the first African American regiments organized in the North.
How did the Union’s view of black soldiers change over the course of the war?
The Union’s view of black soldiers improved, leading to the increased recruitment and deployment of African American troops.
What percent of the Union Army was composed of black soldiers by the end of the war?
By the end of the war, black soldiers made up around 10% of the Union Army.
How did Lincoln make sense of the devastation of the Civil War in his Second Inaugural Address?
Lincoln acknowledged the terrible cost of the war, but viewed it as necessary to end slavery and preserve the Union.
Which group rioted against the Union draft in 1863, and why was the draft considered unfair?
The draft riots in New York City were led by Irish immigrants, who felt the draft was unfair due to the ability to buy one’s way out of service.
What was significant about Sherman’s March to the Sea?
Sherman’s March to the Sea demonstrated the Union’s ability to wage total war, inflicting significant economic and psychological damage on the Confederacy.
How did Grant’s tactics in Virginia differ from McClellan’s?
Grant was more aggressive and willing to take risks, unlike the cautious McClellan.
How did slavery formally end in the United States?
Slavery was formally abolished with the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Why did the Confederacy ultimately lose the Civil War?
The Confederacy’s weaknesses, including its limited resources, smaller population, and inability to sustain a prolonged war effort, contributed to its defeat.
What were the Union’s key advantages in the Western area of the war?
The Union’s control of the Mississippi River and superior resources allowed them to make significant gains in the Western area.
