Civil War Checkpoint Test #1

Question 1

Why is the South fighting the Civil War?

Answer 1

STATES RIGHTS! They felt ruled by the North (overpowered economically), they volunteered to unite, they should be allowed to leave, they are fighting to preserve their culture (including slavery) and to protect their homes, and land.

Question 2

Why is the North fighting the Civil War?

Answer 2

PRESERVE THE UNION! Your country isn’t stable if sections can leave whenever they want, if there are two nations, they’d fight over runaways and western lands.

Question 3

Union strengths going into war? Why are these strengths?

Answer 3

• More troops to fight allows for a different strategy, manufactured goods allow for a better equipped army.
• Established Navy will allow the Union to blockade Southern ports.
• Abraham Lincoln who knows the importance of not giving up.

Question 4

Confederate strengths going into war? Why are these strengths?

Answer 4

• Better generals because of their military experience fighting in the Mexican American War and the cultural connection in the South to a military education
• Home territory gives them closer supplies, help from civilians and knowledge of the land.
• A passionate cause, fighting for their way of life, shows they will not give in easily

Question 5

How did the outcome of the attack on Fort Sumter impact the North and the South?

Answer 5

The Union realized that war would happen and calls 75,000 troops for 90 days. The Confederacy has four more states join when they realize that the Union will fight.

Question 6

What was the Unions plan to win the war?

Answer 6

Anaconda Plan

• Cut the South in half by controlling the Mississippi stopping communication and supply and troop movement
• Take Richmond: If their Capitol falls, leadership will follow.
• Block ports to stop supply movement in the South, then squeeze from east to west!

Question 7

What was the Confederacies plan to win the war?

Answer 7

• Defend it’s land; Get the North tired of fighting so they quit.
• Quick offensive strikes! Scare the North on its home turf so they are weary of war so they quit.
• Get Help! It worked for the patriots during the revolution. Make the stronger North fight Europe as well.

Question 8

Reasons why the Emancipation Proclamation was so important

Answer 8

• Lincoln hoped that slaves would begin to rebel in the South
• Keep England out of the War (prevent them from joining the South)
• Provide a new more passionate reason to fight (Freedom instead of keeping states in a Union that don’t want to be in)