History Terms (Test) Flashcards
Thaddeus Stevens (U)
Worked to pass anti-slavery legislation, allowing Union to confiscate some property of the rebellion (slaves). Pressured Lincoln to emancipate slaves. Worked with other legislators to create the Thirteenth Amendment (abolish slavery in the US). Created legislation that created an emergency loan to pay enlisted Union soldiers. Helped pass the Legal Tender Act of 1862 (US can print money off of credit).
Jefferson Davis (C)
Was the US Secretary of War in 1853-1857; once the South seceded, became President of the Confederate States. Chosen as a balance between moderates and radicals in the Confederacy, initially popular b/c of prior experience but declined as the war went on. Controlled the South’s creation of its own armed forces and acquisition of weapons
Judah Phillip Benjamin (C)
Louisiana US Senator, supported secession when Lincoln became President. Became Confederate Attorney General after secession (but didn’t do much, not much legal work to do in the Confederacy). Became Secretary of War after the previous one resigned due to criticism and gave him the position, struggled b/c wasn’t experienced w/ military business and not enough men & funds available. Eventually resigned and took the empty Secretary of State position. Orchestrated attempts at alliances between the Confederacy and Britain and France (w/ cotton bales for the latter), only could when the Confederates were winning → less success later in the war. Negotiated a loan deal with France in early 1863 ($15 million with 7% interest, a terrible deal for the Confederacy).
William H. Seward (U)
Trent Affair aftermath: made the US look more lawful to the public, impressed on the British govt. that the US wouldn’t tolerate foreign intervention. Helped create the Lyons-Seward Treaty of 1862 (US and Britain would police each others’ trans-Atlantic ships for human cargo a.k.a. slaves, ended the trans-Atlantic slave trade).
Salmon P. Chase (U)
Governor of Ohio in 1856-1860, supported women’s rights, public education, and prison reform. Was elected to the Senate in 1849 and again in 1860 (1st as a Free Soiler, 2nd as a Republican). Resigned from Senator position almost immediately in 1860, became Lincoln’s secretary of the treasury. Accomplishments: established a national banking system, issued paper currency, managed sale of $500 million in war bonds
Ran against Lincoln in 1864 (failed), was appointed Chief Justice instead.
Braxton Bragg (C)
Confederate general. Used his brother’s political ties to get into military academy by age of 16. All fights ended in partial victory, never able to get that final blow. Because of his poor temper and personality his troops wanted him out, but he was friends with Jefferson Davis so Davis said no. After failing the Battle of Chattanooga, Bragg resigned from being a general, but kept as military advisor for President Davis for the rest of the war.
Abraham Lincoln (U)
Lincoln tried to keep politics and war seperate, not focusing on politically popular generals
US President from 1860 to 1865. Opposed to the expansion of slavery, election as president caused 7 Southern states to secede (joined by 4 more later), vowed to keep the Union together. After Battle of Antietam, announced a preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, went into effect on January 1st, 1863 → all slaves in the Confederate States legally free. In his efforts to win the war, assumed greater power than any other president before him (declared martial law, suspended legal rights).
(Opposing) Robert E. Lee (C)
Confederate General. Fought in some of the Civil War’s bloodiest battles like Gettysburg. Symbol of the South.
(Opposing) Winfield Scott Hancock (U)
Union army general, (failed) political candidate. Served in 3 separate wars, led at Gettysburg for Union army and fought back picket charge. One of the most prominent people in both the Mexican-American and Civil War.
(Opposing) George McClellan (U)
Union army major general. Overestimated the Confederates out of fear often. Unpopular with many politicians and generals, but well-liked by his troops. Fired by Lincoln in the middle of Antietam.
(Opposing) Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson (C)
Skilled military technician. Led troops at Manassas, Antietam and Fredericksburg. After his accidental death caused by one of the Confederate troops, the people lost hope in the Confederate ranks.
(Opposing) William Tecumseh Sherman (U)
Union army general. Mostly known for his campaign through Georgia and the Carolinas in 1864 where he followed a Scorched Earth policy (including the capture and burning of Atlanta). Became a Commanding General of the Army. Created the military response to the conflict with Indian tribes in the West.
(Opposing) Ulysses S. Grant (U)
General-in-chief of the armies of the US. Bitter rival of Robert E. Lee (victorious against his army, Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House in 1865). Became Secretary of War and, eventually, US President.
