Study Civil War and Reconstruction with 12 free online flashcards. Review key terms, definitions, and concepts with this interactive flashcard deck.
What was the central underlying cause of the Civil War?
Slavery was the central underlying cause: it shaped the South’s economy and political power, while its expansion into western territories intensified sectional conflict over the nation’s future.
What event immediately triggered the Civil War?
The attack on Fort Sumter, South Carolina, on April 12–13, 1861, turned the secession crisis into open war.
What were the opposing initial war aims?
The Union aimed to preserve the nation, while the Confederacy sought independence. The Union later added emancipation to its war aims.
Why was the Union victory at Vicksburg important?
The Union victory at Vicksburg gave it control of the Mississippi River and divided the Confederacy. Its timing alongside Gettysburg made it a major turning point.
When did the final Emancipation Proclamation take effect?
The final Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863, freeing enslaved people in areas in rebellion, with important exclusions.
What were major effects of the Emancipation Proclamation?
It made emancipation an official Union war aim, authorized Black military enlistment, weakened Confederate labor, and discouraged European recognition of the Confederacy.
What did General Order 143 establish?
General Order 143, issued on May 22, 1863, created the United States Colored Troops.
What services did the Freedmen’s Bureau provide?
The Freedmen’s Bureau provided food and medical aid, supported schools, helped negotiate labor contracts, assisted with legal disputes, and recorded marriages.
What were the Black Codes designed to do?
Black Codes restricted Black mobility, labor contracts, property ownership, and access to courts, attempting to preserve racial hierarchy and a dependent labor system.
What did the Thirteenth Amendment accomplish?
The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime after conviction, and empowered Congress to enforce it.
What rights did the Fourteenth Amendment establish?
The Fourteenth Amendment established national birthright citizenship and required due process and equal protection of the laws.
What did the Fifteenth Amendment protect?
The Fifteenth Amendment prohibited denying or abridging a citizen’s right to vote because of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.