1. Civil War  Which side, the North or the South, had more advantages during the Civil War?  The North had more resources and a larger population, while the South was fighting for its survival.  Do any of these advantages or disadvantages surprise you? Why?  The North’s industrial capacity and sheer numbers gave it an unmatched advantage.

2.  Military The South benefited from a system of military colleges and a strong military tradition. The North, on the other hand, had a strong navy.  Economy Northern finances were steadier thanks to the national treasury, banking system, and tariff revenues. The Union had continuing revenue from tariffs. The South, however, had little cash and significant inflation.  Industry Some 90 percent of the nation’s factories were in the North, giving the Union an advantage in the production of ammunition and other supplies.  Transportation The North had twice as many miles of railroad track as the South, which had only one major east-west railway.  Population The population of the North was significantly higher than that of the South. This gave the Union a larger pool of troops.

3. Which side do you think was better prepared for the war? Why?  The Union was better prepared for the war because of its greater population and industrial, transportation, and economic advantages.

4. Early Battles  First Battle of Bull Run The First Battle of Bull Run, fought near Manassas Junction, Virginia, ended the belief that the North would win the war quickly and easily.  War in the West The Union seized the important port of New Orleans in 1862. Grant oversaw efforts to control the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers in order to split the Confederacy in two.  War in the East McClellan sought to capture Richmond. He battled Lee’s forces repeatedly, culminating in a bloody battle at Antietam in 1862. The Union victory deterred the British from recognizing the Confederacy and encouraged Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. What was the importance of the campaign in the West? Union control of the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers would split the Confederacy, making it more difficult for the South to move supplies and troops. How did the victory at Antietam influence the course of the war? The victory helped the Union by keeping the British out of the war and prodding the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation.

5. Predictable Misunderstanding  You may think that the Civil War began because Lincoln ended slavery. Although Abraham Lincoln was morally opposed to slavery, he never intended to outlaw slavery and did not do so until two years after the war had started, and then only in states rebelling against the Union.

6. How did the Emancipation Proclamation change the nature of the war? It made the war more about slavery and thus more of a moral war, rather than a political conflict to return states to the Union.

7. Why were Vicksburg and Gettysburg turning points in the war?  Sherman’s march to the sea Sherman and his troops traveled through Georgia and other Southern states, destroying supplies and infrastructure.  Appomattox Court House Forces led by Lee and Grant met at Appomattox Court House in Virginia. Facing defeat, Lee surrendered to Grant, effectively ending the war.  Assassination of Lincoln John Wilkes Booth assassinated Lincoln just days after Lee’s surrender. Vice President Andrew Johnson assumed the presidency after Lincoln’s death.

8. How might Sherman’s march have weakened the South?  Sherman and his troops destroyed supplies and land, making it harder for the South to support its troops and damaging civilian morale. What was the significance of the events at Appomattox Courthouse? Lee surrendered to Grant, effectively ending the war and paving the way for the reunification of the North and South.

9. After the troubles and divisions of the Civil War, what was needed to help the nation come together again?  The nation was in need of forgiveness and healing. The South needed to be rebuilt and have past enemies brought back into the Union.