Civil War Reconstruction? Flashcards
Terms
Election of 1860
gave Lincoln a victory in both the popular vote and the electoral vote, with just under 40 percent of the popular vote, which totaled 1,866,452, and 180 electoral votes.
A Wave of Succession
refers to a series of events where several Southern states, primarily led by South Carolina, declared their withdrawal from the United States following the election of Abraham Lincoln, which was seen as a threat to the institution of slavery in the South; this ultimately triggered the American Civil War.
Battle of Fort Sumter (12-13 April 1861)`
marked the official beginning of the American Civil War—a war that lasted four years, cost the lives of more than 620,000 Americans, and freed 3.9 million enslaved people from bondage.
the bloodiest war in U.S. history, the American Civil War.
Key Players: Major Robert Anderson led the US Army units which were at the center of the conflict of Fort Sumter. PGT. Beauregard was in command of the Confederate States Provisional Forces that took the fort. Abraham Lincoln had been sworn in as American president by the time of the event, and Francis W.
Solidifying the Confederacy
was solidified in a number of ways, including:
Secession
After Abraham Lincoln’s election in 1860, seven southern states seceded from the Union, believing their economies were threatened by the end of slavery:
Confederate Constitution: In February 1861, the seven seceded states created a constitution in Montgomery, Alabama, establishing a confederation of “sovereign and independent states”.
Joining of additional states: After the attack on Fort Sumter, Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee joined the Confederacy.
Blockade
In April 1861, the Union declared a blockade on Southern ports, which disrupted the British economy. Britain responded with neutrality, which granted the Confederacy belligerent status.
Confederate strategy
The Confederacy’s strategy was to outlast the North. They were able to concentrate forces in response to Union offensives, using railroads to move troops to threatened locations.
The Union defeated the Confederacy in April 1865.
Southern States, Northern States, and Border States
During the American Civil War (1861–1865), the United States was divided into three groups of states: the Northern states, the Southern states, and the Border states:
Northern states
These states supported the Union, which was the United States of America. The Northern states were centered around manufacturing.
Southern states
These states seceded from the Union to form the Confederate States of America. The Southern states had a predominantly agricultural economy.
Border states
These states remained in the Union, but were located between the North and South. The Border states were slave states, but tensions and conflicts were high within these states. The Border states included Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, and West Virginia.
The Border states were a buffer zone between the Union and the Confederacy, providing a strategic corridor for military operations and a critical lifeline for communication and transportation.
A War for Union
the period of Reconstruction following the American Civil War, where the focus was on reintegrating the Confederate states back into the Union and addressing the legal status of formerly enslaved African Americans, a process that largely concluded around 1877 with the “Compromise of 1877.”.
Key points about Reconstruction:
Time Period: 1865 - 1877
Main Goal: To rebuild the Southern states and integrate freed slaves into society
Challenges Faced: Political turmoil, violence against African Americans, resistance from former Confederates, and the eventual withdrawal of federal troops from the South
First Battle of Bull Run/ Manassas (16 July 1861)
marked the first major land battle of the American Civil War, signifying a turning point in American civilization by revealing the harsh realities of the conflict and demonstrating that the war would be far longer and more brutal than many initially anticipated; the Confederate victory shocked the North and led to a major re-evaluation of military strategy by the Union forces.
Location:
Fought near Manassas Junction, Virginia, along Bull Run Creek.
Combatants:
Union forces under General Irvin McDowell clashed with Confederate troops commanded by P.G.T. Beauregard.
Outcome:
A decisive Confederate victory, with the Union army retreating in disarray.
Significance:
Public Perception: The battle, witnessed by many civilians who came to watch as a “picnic”, shattered the popular notion that the war would be short and easily won.
Military Implications: Exposed the lack of training and preparedness on both sides, leading to significant changes in military strategy and troop organization.
“Stonewall” Jackson: Confederate General Thomas J. Jackson earned his nickname “Stonewall” during this battle for his steadfast defense on Henry House Hill.
Second Battle of Bull Run/ Manassas (August 1862)
The Second Battle of Bull Run, also called the Second Battle of Manassas, was a decisive Confederate victory during the American Civil War, fought in August 1862 near Manassas, Virginia, where Confederate General Robert E. Lee strategically maneuvered his forces against the Union Army under Major General John Pope, resulting in a major setback for the Union and paving the way for Lee’s subsequent invasion of Maryland; this battle is considered a significant turning point in the war due to the substantial Union losses and the momentum it gave to the Confederate cause.
Date: Fought primarily on August 29-30, 1862.
Location: Near Manassas, Virginia, at a site known as Brawner’s Farm.
Commanders: Confederate General Robert E. Lee against Union Major General John Pope.
Outcome: A decisive Confederate victory.
Key tactic: Lee used a flanking maneuver by sending Stonewall Jackson’s troops around the Union flank to attack their supply lines, effectively trapping Pope’s army.
Significance: This battle significantly boosted Confederate morale, allowed Lee to launch his Maryland campaign, and further damaged Union confidence after a series of setbacks.
Battle of Antietam/ Sharpsburg (17 September 1862)
was a major turning point in the American Civil War that took place on September 17, 1862:
Location
The battle took place in Washington County, Maryland, near Antietam Creek and the town of Sharpsburg
Participants
The Union’s Army of the Potomac, led by General George McClellan, fought against the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, led by General Robert E. Lee
Outcome
The Union won the battle, which ended the Confederate Army’s first invasion of the North
Casualties
The battle resulted in over 23,000 soldiers killed, wounded, or missing, making it the bloodiest single-day battle in American history
Significance
The battle led Abraham Lincoln to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation
The Battle of Antietam – 17 September, 1862 – Battles and …
The battle was fought on the Confederate Army’s first invasion of the North, which was part of Lee’s Maryland Campaign. Lee’s goals were to gain soldiers and supplies, and to force a foreign intervention in support of the South. The battle was also a strategic victory for the Union, and was well-documented by photographers, artists, and witnesses.
Emancipation Proclamation
a document issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, that declared the freedom of enslaved people in the states rebelling against the United States
A War for Emancipation
because it was a conflict that resulted in the end of slavery in the United States:
Emancipation Proclamation
On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all enslaved people in the rebellious states were free. The proclamation also allowed Black men to serve in the military.
Thirteenth Amendment
In 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States.
Union victory
The Union won the war, and almost 200,000 Black soldiers and sailors fought for the Union and freedom.
Moral force
The Emancipation Proclamation strengthened the Union’s cause morally and politically.
Historic document
The Emancipation Proclamation is considered a historic document that redefined the Civil War and set a course for the nation’s future.
However, the end of the war did not mean the end of the struggle for equality. Many former slaves and their descendants faced persecution as they sought to achieve freedom.
Battle of Gettysburg (1-3 July 1863)
fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, by Union and Confederate forces during the American Civil War. The battle involved the largest number of casualties of the entire war and is often described as the war’s turning point.
Gettysburg Address
reaffirming the nation’s commitment to the ideals of equality and liberty enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, particularly in the context of the Civil War’s aftermath, laying the groundwork for the Reconstruction era’s focus on abolishing slavery and establishing civil rights for formerly enslaved people, even though the full realization of these ideals took much longer to achieve.
Key points about the Gettysburg Address’s influence on American civilization since 1877:
Redefining the Civil War’s purpose:
Lincoln’s speech transcended the goal of simply preserving the Union, emphasizing the fight for a “new birth of freedom” by linking the sacrifices made at Gettysburg to the broader ideal of equality for all citizens, as stated in the Declaration of Independence.
Impact on Reconstruction:
The address provided a moral foundation for the Reconstruction Amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th) that abolished slavery, granted citizenship to former slaves, and established voting rights, even though the implementation of these rights faced significant challenges.
National unity and healing:
By invoking the shared American values of liberty and equality, the Gettysburg Address aimed to unite a fractured nation after the Civil War, encouraging reconciliation and a sense of common purpose.
Enduring legacy as a powerful symbol:
The speech’s eloquent language and concise message continue to be studied and admired today, serving as a reminder of the importance of upholding democratic principles and fighting for justice.
Appomattox Courthouse (9 April 1865)
The surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to the Union at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865 marked the end of the Civil War and the beginning of the United States’ transition to peace and reunification:
Surrender terms
General Robert E. Lee agreed to surrender all military weapons, and officers and men were paroled. Officers were allowed to keep their personal guns, horses, and mules.
Parole passes
Soldiers were given parole passes that allowed them to return home safely, with free food and transportation.
National Park Service
The Appomattox Court House National Historic Park became a unit of the National Park Service in 1933. The park recreates the battle and city of April 9, 1865.
Cultural landscape
The Appomattox Court House cultural landscape marks the start of the country’s transition to peace and reunification.
The Lost Cause
The surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia to the Union at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, marked the end of the Civil War and the beginning of the United States’ transition to peace and reunification:
Surrender terms
General Robert E. Lee agreed to surrender all military weapons, and officers and men were paroled. Officers were allowed to keep their personal guns, horses, and mules.
Parole passes
Soldiers were given parole passes that allowed them to return home safely, with free food and transportation.
National Park Service
The Appomattox Court House National Historic Park became a unit of the National Park Service in 1933. The park recreates the battle and city of April 9, 1865.
Cultural landscape
The Appomattox Court House cultural landscape marks the start of the country’s transition to peace and reunification.
