Civil War Vocab

Question 1

Ambush

Answer 1

To lie in wait for an unexpected attack

Question 2

Antebellum

Answer 2

A term often used to describe the United States of America before the outbreak of the Civil War

Question 3

Armory

Answer 3

A place where weapons and other military supplies are manufactured.

Question 4

Casualty

Answer 4

A soldier who was wounded, killed, or missing in action.

Question 5

Cavalry

Answer 5

A branch of the military mounted on horseback. Cavalry units in the Civil War could move quickly from place to place or go on scouting expeditions on horseback, but they usually fought on foot. Their main job was to gather information about enemy movements. Until the spring of 1863, the Confederate cavalry force was far superior to its Federal counterpart.

Question 6

Confederacy

Answer 6

Also called the South or the Confederate States of America, the Confederacy incorporated the states that seceded from the United States of America to form their own nation. Confederate states were: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

Question 7

Hardtack

Answer 7

Hardtack is a term used to describe the hard crackers often issued to soldiers of both sides the Civl War. These crackers consisted of nothing more than flour, water, and salt. They were simple and inexpensive to make in very large quantities. However, these crackers became almost rock solid once they went stale.

Question 8

Infantry

Answer 8

A branch of the military in which soldiers traveled and fought on foot.

Question 9

Ratify

Answer 9

To formally approve of sanction

Question 10

Secession

Answer 10

Withdrawal from the Federal government of the United States.

Question 11

Union

Answer 11

Also called the North of the United States, the Union was the portion of the country that remained loyal to the Federal government during the Civil War. Union states were Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, and Wisconsin. West Virginia became a Northern state in 1863 and California and Oregon were also officially Northern, but they had little direct involvement in the War.

Question 12

Yankee

Answer 12

A Northerner; someone loyal to the Federal government of the united states. Also, Union, Federal, or Northern.

Question 13

Abolitionist

Answer 13

Someone who wishes to abolish or get rid of slavery