Download AP Chapter 14 Study Guide

Brown/APUSH
American History
Chapter 14 p. 364-397
The Civil War
1861-1865
Chapter Summary
Before 1860, reference to the nation generally began "these United States are," but after 1865 it became more
frequently "the United States is." In that change, one might well see the most important outcome of the American Civil
War. The question of the nature of the Union, which had been debated since its inception, was settled; the nation was
one and indivisible. As such the United States joined a worldwide movement to create large, consolidated nationstates. The cost had been great, in both human and financial terms, but the war had done more than defeat secessionist
rebellion. It had set the nation on a new course. States’ rights, as an alternative to nationalism, had been dealt a fatal
blow. The tariff and internal improvements were law and would remain so. Slavery was abolished, free labor was
triumphant, and industrial growth and material progress seemed to lie ahead. The war, therefore, represented more than
a victory for the armies of the Union. The real victor had been the Union itself. Never again would the supremacy of
national laws be seriously questioned. The Civil War gave birth to the modern United States. Indeed, it ended an era
and began another.
Chapter Fourteen Main Themes
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The establishment of the Confederacy, the failure of the final attempts at compromise, and the road to Fort
Sumter.
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The social and economic mobilization of both the Union and Confederacy for war, and what that
mobilization revealed about the nature and character of each side.
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The military strategy and campaigns of the Civil War, leading to the Union victory in April of 1865.
Analytical Journal
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
FIRST BATTLE OF BULL RUN
FORT SUMTER
GREENBACKS
MARCH TO THE SEA
SHILOH
WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN
ANTIETAM
CLARA BARTON
GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN
HOMESTEAD ACT OF 1862
MORRILL LAND GRANT ACT
ULYSSES S. GRANT
THOMAS (“STONEWALL”) JACKSON
APPOMATTOX COURT HOUSE
EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION
GETTYSBURG
JEFFERSON DAVIS
ROBERT E. LEE
U.S. SANITARY COMMISSION
Defining the chapter terms in their journals will help students better understand:
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The reasons why all attempts to reach a political compromise failed in 1860 and 1861.
The unique problems faced by the newly inaugurated President Lincoln, and his use of executive powers to
solve them up to July 4, 1861.
The many interpretations of the causes of the Civil War advanced by historians.
The ways in which the Confederate States of America compared with the United States in manpower, natural
resources, finances, industrial potential, and public support.
Congressional legislation passed once southern members were no longer a factor.
The considerations involved in President Lincoln's decision to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, and its
reception in the North, in the South, and in Europe.
The basic structure of the government of the Confederate States of America, how it differed from that of the
United States, and how it dealt with the vital question of states' rights.
The efforts of presidents Lincoln and Jefferson Davis to act as commanders-in-chief under their respective
constitutions.
How other nations, particularly England and France, viewed the struggle, and how their courses of action
affected the outcome.
Each of the terms above contributes to a comprehensive understanding of how and why the South left the Union and
how the government of the United States responded to secession; how both sides mobilized for war; and how the North
won the Civil War. As you define these terms, demonstrate why each person, event, concept, or issue is important to a
thorough understanding of this chapter.
Long Essay Questions
1.
Analyze the differences and similarities between the Union and the Confederacy in terms of their wartime goals,
political systems, the methods used to finance the war and recruiting troops, war strategy, and the economic and
social effects of the war.
Possible thesis statement: When compared, the Union and Confederate governments adopted similar legal,
financial, and military strategies. The North and South differed, however, in terms of their wartime goals and
the economic consequences of the war.
Discuss
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Goals
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Political systems
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Financing the war
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Recruiting troops
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Fighting the war
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Economic effects of the war
Possible conclusion: While the South believed it was very different from the Union from which it had
seceded, the Confederate government adopted similar legal, financial, and military strategies used by Lincoln
and the Republican Congress. Differences, however, were apparent in terms of the goals of and economic
consequences for both the North and the South.
Exam Tips
The war claimed the lives of over 600,000 men and decided the troubling questions that had dogged America in the
decades leading up to the war. Hamilton's vision for America would prevail, and America's future lay in commerce and
industry. The war also settled two other important questions. American slavery was ended, although trials for African
Americans were far from over. And the nature of federalism was decided-the federal government was supreme.
• Although there are no specific questions on military history in the multiple-choice section, battles and strategies can
be important reference points for changes in politics, economics, and society. For example, the Union "victory" at
Antietam gave Lincoln an opportunity to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.
• Wars are almost always instigators of social reform; the Civil War was no exception. Note its effect on minorities,
especially African Americans, women, and immigrants.
• The Civil War is a good time to pay particular attention to presidential leadership. Lincoln expanded the powers of his
office and of the federal government to confront the threat to the United States. Note both the military and political
consequences of his actions during the Civil War.