Microsoft Word - Civil War Worksheets
Microsoft Word - Civil War Worksheets
Microsoft Word - Civil War Worksheets
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The Missouri Compromise solved the problem and restored balance in the United States Senate by adding two new states to the Union,
Maine and Missouri. Maine would be a state where slavery was illegal and Missouri would have slavery.
Sectionalism played a minor part in President Abraham Lincoln's winning of the election in 1860. Because Lincoln did not support
slavery expanding beyond where it already existed, and all of the Northern States (with most of the popular votes) also did not support
slavery, Lincoln won more of the popular votes in those states and thus won their votes in the United States Electoral College as well as
border states. Lincoln's win caused many Southern states to suspect that their rights would not be protected so they seceded from the
Union and established the Confederate States of America, which eventually led to the American Civil War.
Based upon your understanding of the reading, answer the following questions:
1. Based upon the text, please define “sectionalism”…
2. What were the different “sections” in the sectionalism of the United States?
3. What was the name of the Compromise that solved the balance of power in the United States?
4. Who won the presidency based upon the sectionalism of the mid 1800s?
They did them so often that it is nothing short of amazing, he says, that the
myth of the docile Negro persists. There were repeated insurrections and there
is solid evidence that the South lived in constant fear of the 'docile' slaves.
Bondsmen ran away in droves.
Some succumbed to slavery's endless assault but some refused to be broken. "They poisoned masters and mistresses with arsenic," Bennett
reports, "ground glass and 'spiders beaten up in buttermilk.' They chopped them [slaveholders] to pieces with axes and burned their houses, gins
and barns to the ground."
"The court records of the slavery period, Bennett says, yield ample evidence that a large number of slaves refused to play the game of slavery:
they would neither smile nor bow. Some bowed but would not smile. Many, perhaps the majority, went through the ritual of obeisance. And
these, according to some historians, carried on a passive resistance: "They worked no harder than they had to, put on deliberate slowdowns,
staged sitdown strikes and fled to the swamps en masse at cotton picking time. They broke implements, trampled the crops and 'took' silver,
wine, money, corn, cotton and machines."
Based upon your understanding of the reading, answer the following questions:
1. What were the three types of resistance to slavery by enslaved African Americans?
2. What were some violent things that enslaved Africans did to resist slavery (active)?
3. What were some passive/non-direct ways that enslaved Africans did to resist slavery?
5. If enslaved African Americans resisted, why don’t you think they often broke away from slavery?
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The Underground Railroad, a vast network of people who helped fugitive
slaves escape to the North and to Canada, was not run by any single
organization or person. Rather, it consisted of many individuals -- many whites
but predominantly black -- who knew only of the local efforts to aid fugitives
and not of the overall operation. Still, it effectively moved hundreds of slaves
northward each year -- according to one estimate, the South lost 100,000 slaves
between 1810 and 1850.
An organized system to assist runaway slaves seems to have begun towards the
end of the 18th century. In 1786 George Washington complained about how
one of his runaway slaves was helped by a "society of Quakers, formed for
such purposes." The system grew, and around 1831 it was dubbed "The
Underground Railroad," after the then emerging steam railroads. The system
even used terms used in railroading: the homes and businesses where fugitives
would rest and eat were called "stations" and "depots" and were run by
"stationmasters," those who contributed money or goods were "stockholders,"
and the "conductor" was responsible for moving fugitives from one station to
the next.
For the slave, running away to the North was anything but easy. The first step was to escape from the slaveholder. For many slaves, this meant
relying on his or her own resources. Sometimes a "conductor," posing as a slave, would enter a plantation and then guide the runaways
northward. The fugitives would move at night. They would generally travel between 10 and 20 miles to the next station, where they would rest
and eat, hiding in barns and other out-of-the-way places. While they waited, a message would be sent to the next station to alert its
stationmaster.
The fugitives would also travel by train and boat -- conveyances that sometimes had to be paid for. Money was also needed to improve the
appearance of the runaways -- a black man, woman, or child in tattered clothes would invariably attract suspicious eyes. This money was
donated by individuals and also raised by various groups, including vigilance committees.
Based upon your understanding of the reading, answer the following questions:
1. What do you think is happening in this picture?
2. How many slaves escaped along the underground railroad between 1810-1850?
4. Please name a few of the ways that Train metaphors were used when describing the system…
5. If there were nearly 4,000,000 slaves in the United States, why did only 100,000 escape along the
railroad?
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_____________________________ The Fugitive Slave Law or Fugitive Slave Act was passed by
the United States Congress on September 18, 1850, as part of
the Compromise of 1850 between Southern slaveholding
interests and Northern Free-Soilers. This was one of the most
controversial acts of the 1850 compromise and heightened
Northern fears of a 'slave power conspiracy'.
who did not arrest an alleged runaway slave liable to a fine of $1,000. Law-enforcement officials everywhere now had a duty to
arrest anyone suspected of being a runaway slave on no more evidence than a claimant's sworn testimony of ownership. The
suspected slave could not ask for a jury trial or testify on his or her own behalf. In addition, any person aiding a runaway slave by
providing food or shelter was subject to six months' imprisonment and a $1,000 fine. Officers who captured a fugitive slave were
entitled to a bonus for their work. Slaveowners only needed to supply an affidavit to a Federal marshall to capture an escaped
slave. Since any suspected slave was not eligible for a trial this led to many free blacks being conscripted into slavery as they had
no rights in court and could not defend themselves against accusations.
Based upon your understanding of the reading, answer the following questions:
1. What do you think is happening in this picture?
2. When was the Fugitive Slave Law passed? As a part of what compromise?
4. How do you think this law made people in the north feel?
5. Why was it easy to make a free black a slave under this law?
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The Emancipation Proclamation is a document that
consists of two executive orders issued by United States
President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil
War. The first one, issued on September 22, 1862,
declared the freedom of all slaves in any state of the
Confederate States of America as did not return to
Union control by January 1, 1863, and the second one,
issued on January 1, 1863, enumerated the specific
states where it applied.
Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy" under Article II, section 2 of the United States Constitution.
The proclamation did not free any slaves in the border states (Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, Delaware, and West
Virginia), or any southern state (or part of a state) already under Union control. It first directly affected only those slaves
that had already escaped to the Union side, but as the Union armies conquered the Confederacy, thousands of slaves
were freed each day until nearly all (approximately 4 million, according to the 1860 census[1] ) were freed by July of
1865.
AfterList a few
the war therethings thatthatyou
was concern see in this aspicture.
the proclamation, a war measure, had not made the elimination of slavery
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Based upon your understanding of the reading, answer the following questions:
1. What do you think is happening in this picture?
3. Why was the emancipation proclamation widely attacked when it was written?
5. How many enslaved African Americans were there? When were they all eventually freed?
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John Brown first made a name for
himself during the "Bleeding Kansas"
crisis. A fervent abolitionist, Brown,
along with his sons, fought with anti-
slavery forces and were best known for
the "Pottawatomie Massacre" where they
killed five pro-slavery farmers. While
most abolitionists were pacifists, Brown
advocated violence and insurrection to
end the evils of slavery.
After initial success, the raiders were cornered in the armory's engine house by local militia. Shortly
thereafter, US Marines under Lt. Col. Robert E. Lee arrived and captured Brown. Tried for treason, Brown
was hanged that December. Before his death, he predicted that "the crimes of this guilty land will never be
purged away; but with Blood."
Based upon your understanding of the reading, answer the following questions:
1. What do you think is happening in this picture?
2. What is the “Bleeding Kansas” crisis referred to in the text? (I should see you opening your notes)
3. In what way was John Brown different from most of the other abolitionists (those against slavery)?
5. How did Brown’s prediction, “"the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away; but with
Blood."” Come true?
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The Confederate States of America was a
country that existed in southeastern North
America during the American Civil War. It
was established in 1861 when the southern
states of South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida,
Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas left
the United States of America to make their
own government. Later Virginia, Arkansas,
Tennessee, and North Carolina joined them.
Based upon your understanding of the reading, answer the following questions:
1. Name 4 states that were part of the Confederate States of America.
3. Why does the readings say that the Civil War occurred?
4. Why do some people call it the “War between the States” and not the “Civil War”?
5. What is one way that the Confederate States of America was similar to the United States? What is one
way that it was different?
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_____________________________ Before the war started, it was obvious that the North had many
advantages over the south that might make victory easy for
those who lived in the North. Listed below are a few of those
advantages:
The North had nearly three times the population. (20 million vs. nine million in the South, four million of whom were black slaves.) The larger
population provided a steady source of military and civilian manpower, and was important in a war of attrition.
Finally, The North had better railroads and highways, including naval and civil shipping resources used to re-supply forces in the field.
Based upon your understanding of the reading, answer the following questions:
1. What does the text say that the primary advantage of the North over the South was?
2. To what region of the United States did most of the immigrants come to? (North or South)
3. What was the population difference between the north and south?
4. How much more farm land does the graph say that the North had over the South (CSA)?
5. Why would a larger population mean that it would be easier for the North to win the war?
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_____________________________ On July 21, 1861 the First Battle of Bull Run
occurred. It was the first real major conflict of
the American Civil War. A Union army,
consisting of 28,000 men, commanded by
General McDowell, fought 33,000 Confederates
under General Beauregard. The Union army,
under pressure to crush the rebellion in the
South, marched towards Richmond, but met the
Confederate forces coming north from Manassas,
a Southern base.
General Jackson. Due to Jackson's ability to hold his ground and his stubbornness, the men saw him similar to a stone
wall, hence the nickname "Stonewall" Jackson. Thanks to Jackson the Confederates were able to hold out until General
Johnston showed up with 9000 reinforcements to help out Beauregard near Henry House Hill. The arrival changed the
course of the battle and soon the Union soldiers were fleeing back to Washington. However, because of the
disorganization of Beauregard's army, they could not pursue McDowell any further.
The battle proved that this was not going to be a one sided war for either side, as was predicted. The casualties soared to
2,900 killed, wounded, captured, or missing for McDowell's army and 2,000 for Beauregard's. The battle spurred a
sense of victory in the South, pushing them on, and in the North a feeling for revenge.
Based upon your understanding of the reading, answer the following questions:
1. What was the name and date of the first major battle of the Civil War?
3. How does General Jackson show that the south had superior generals?
4. Who won the battle? Union or Confederate? How do you know who won?
The battle was fought only by the small divisions and brigades instead of full fledged attacks, which was a very large advantage for
Lee. Now Lee was dealing with sections of McClellan's power house instead of the whole force. There were three major attacks
launched by McClellan. The first one was lead by Hooker who attacked Lee's left flank making very little progress. Second,
Charles Sumner made a drive on the Confederate center; third, Burnside attempted to cross the river to attack the right flank.
The battle was not a decisive one but it could have been. Over 23,000 men died in one day from the fighting. If either army had been able to
destroy one or the other than it could have caused a major shift in the war and most likely a much sooner end of the war.
Based upon your understanding of the reading, answer the following questions:
1. Why was Antietam a change in the strategy of the south fighting a defensive war on home territory?
2. What did the Union General find that helped them to know Lee’s plans for this battle?
Based upon your understanding of the reading, answer the following questions:
1. Who would you say was winning the war, early on?
2. Why would it be nearly impossible for the south to win a sustained war with the North?
3. What were some of the early Union losses during the war?
4. What did the battle of Antietam cause the south to do once again?
5. Why does the text state that Lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation?
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In January 1863, Secretary of War Stanton finally gave
John A. Andrew, the abolitionist governor of
Massachusetts, authorization to form regiments that
could "include persons of African descent. . ." The
governor had long been an advocate of raising black
regiments from the free black population. Like most
abolitionists, he felt the surest path to citizenship for
black Americans was for them to be allowed to fight and
die for their freedom and their country.
The 54th Massachusetts Regiment was the first black regiment recruited in the North. Col. Robert Gould Shaw, the 25 year old son of very
wealthy abolitionist parents, was chosen to command. On May 28, the well equipped and drilled 54th paraded through the streets of Boston and
then boarded ships bound for the coast of South Carolina. Their first conflict with Confederate soldiers came on July 16, when the regiment
repelled an attack on James Island. But on July 18 came the supreme test of the courage and valor of the black soldiers; they were chosen to lead
the assault on Battery Wagner, a Confederate fort on Morris Island at Charleston. In addressing his soldiers before leading them in charge across
the beach, Colonel Shaw said, "I want you to prove yourselves. The eyes of thousands will look on what you do tonight."
List a few things that you see in this picture.
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Based upon your understanding of the reading, answer the following questions:
1. Which was the first state to allow people of color to form regiments in the Union army?
2. From where did the Governor choose officers for the first black regiment?
Based upon your understanding of the reading, answer the following questions:
1. Based upon the text, what do you think the word “prominent” means?
2. How was the 54th Massachusetts different from the other 11 regiments of black troops?
3. What was the first state that was attacked by the 54th?
4. How did the confederate troops try to dishonor Shaw after his death? Did it work?
Resuming command of the regiment in May 1864, he led it in the battle of Cold Harbor. Assigned to brigade command
in June, only to fall wounded 12 days later in the assault on Petersburg, he was promoted to brigadier general on the
spot by General Grant, and then carried to the rear, where a surgeon declared that he would certainly die from the
wound. (The doctor was right. Fifty years later Chamberlain succumbed to its effects.) Rejoining the army in
November, he was forced by his wound to return to Maine, but he came back again during the Petersburg siege during
which he was wounded for the fourth time. He was eventually given the highest medal given, The Congressional Medal
of Honor, for his valor in defending the hill “Little Roundtop” at the Battle of Gettysburg.
List a few things that you see in this picture.
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Based upon your understanding of the reading, answer the following questions:
1. Why did Chamberlain originally turn down the offer to be a Colonial?
3. Chamberlain died from the wound that he received at Petersburg. How then did he go on to serve at
Petersburg again?
Virginia, to give the capital some "breathing room." Second, he wanted to use the Pennsylvania farmlands to feed his
starving army. Last, but not least, Lee wanted to close the war by beating the Army of the Potomac (the main northern
army) in a single battle, and then marching to Washington, D.C. to "lay terms of peace on Abraham Lincoln's (the
current U.S.A. president) desk."
Based upon your understanding of the reading, answer the following questions:
1. Why did the Southern States leave the Union?
2. Up until Gettysburg, who was winning the Civil War? Name 2 battles won by that side…
3. What are the 3 reasons why Lee wanted to invade the North?
consume supplies, and destroy civilian infrastructure along their path. This policy is often considered part of a strategy
of total war. Total war means waging war not only on soldiers, but also on the civilians and everything that can allow
them to survive. The recent reelection of President Abraham Lincoln ensured that short-term political pressure would
not be applied to stop this way of fighting. Total war and Sherman’s march had devastating effects on the south.
Sherman and his men left devastation in their wake. The union army was able to capture Savannah on December 22nd,
1864.
List a few things that you see in this picture.
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Based upon your understanding of the reading, answer the following questions:
1. What city was Sherman attempting to capture after he marched through Georgia?
4. How do you think total war and Sherman’s March affected the southern civilian?
The next day President Lincoln who had been visiting Grant
was able to tour Petersburg. He stated to Admiral David Porter:
"Thank God I have lived to see this. It seems to me that I have
been dreaming a horrid dream for four years, and now the
nightmare is gone, I want to see Richmond". Porter obliged and
took Lincoln upriver to Richmond the next day. There guarded
initially by 10 sailors he made his way through the streets to
Jefferson Davis office. He was thronged by Blacks one old lady is said to have shouted: "I know I am alive for I have seen Father Abraham and
felt him."
Meanwhile Grant and the army pursued Lee. On April 6th near a stream called Saylers Creek, 6,000 confederates were captured. Finally on the
morning of April 9th Lee and his hungry men found themselves surrounded by five times the number of Union soldiers. Lee had no choice- At a
ceremony at Appomattox Court House he surrendered the army of Northern Virginia, thus effectively bringing to an end the most horrible war
in American history.
List a few things that you see in this picture.
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Based upon your understanding of the reading, answer the following questions:
1. What were the last two cities in the south to be captured?
4. How was Abraham Lincoln greeted by African Americans when he went to see Jefferson Davis’ office?
Based upon your understanding of the reading, answer the following questions:
1. According to the reading, what is the definition of Reconstruction (this is your 1qq)?
2. What were three things that the government tried to do during reconstruction?
4. Why do you think that Southern Whites resisted reconstruction from the federal government?