Ch 11: American Civil War (1861-1865): Homework Help

1. Civil War Begins: Northern and Southern Advantages Compared

At the outbreak of the American Civil War, both the North and South believed the conflict would be over quickly. But advantages for both the Confederacy and the Union meant a prolonged war between the states. In this lesson, discover some of the advantages that the North and South had.

2. The First Battle of Bull Run: Civil War Blood is Shed

Three months after the bombardment of Fort Sumter, Northern troops attacked Southern forces near the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. The first Battle of Bull Run (or Manassas) was the first major engagement of the Civil War and a terrifying defeat for the Union spectators who came to watch.

3. Key Civil War Battles in 1862: Monitor and Merrimac, Antietam, New Orleans & Shiloh

In 1862, the Union put its Anaconda Plan into action, resulting in several critical events: the Peninsular Campaign, the Battle of Hampton Roads between the ironclads Monitor and Virginia (Merrimack), the Battle of Shiloh, the capture of New Orleans, and the Battle of Antietam.

4. The Emancipation Proclamation: Creation, Context and Legacy

On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation went into effect. More than three million slaves in the South were freed, but the move was not without its critics, both then and now.

5. How the Civil War Affected the Economy and Everyday Life in the North and South

With the strongest and most productive demographic of society away fighting in the Civil War, the task of running homes, communities, and the nation fell to those who stayed behind. The war on the home front changed their lives forever.

6. Civil War Turning Points: Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Vicksburg

In 1863, three events proved to be turning points for the American Civil War: the Battle of Chancellorsville, the Battle of Gettysburg and the Siege of Vicksburg. Learn about these Civil War turning points in this lesson.

7. End of the Civil War: General Grant Begins the March Toward Richmond

President Lincoln took a gamble and named Ulysses S. Grant as General-in-Chief of the Union army. They devised a plan to finally take Richmond and win the war in 1864. In this lesson, learn about General Grant's controversial tactics.

8. Sherman's March to the Sea

In 1864, General William T. Sherman began his Atlanta campaign. His success assured Lincoln's re-election in 1864. Sherman then began his destructive March to the Sea in order to capture Savannah.

9. Lincoln's Assassination and Lee's Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse

Two of the most eventful weeks in American history took place between April 1 and April 15, 1865, during which Richmond (the capital of the Confederacy) fell, General Lee surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse and President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated.

10. Battle at Cold Harbor: Summary & Facts

The Battle of Cold Harbor was a Confederate victory in June 1864. Over 15,000 combined casualties fell during the nearly two-week fight. It was the last major battle of Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign.

11. Battle of Chancellorsville: Facts, Summary & Significance

The Battle of Chancellorsville was fought in early May 1863. This lesson examines this major Confederate victory, looking at how, with roughly 30,000 combined casualties, it was one of the bloodiest battles of the American Civil War.

12. Battle of the Wilderness: Summary & History

The Battle of the Wilderness was fought in central Virginia on May 5, 6, and 7, 1864. The battle was tactically inconclusive but led to over 26,000 combined casualties. It was the first of several bloody battles during the Overland Campaign of 1864.

13. Chattel Slavery: Definition and America

In this lesson, we'll look at the practice known as chattel slavery. Learn about the different forms of slavery and the history of chattel slavery in America, then test your knowledge with a quiz.

14. General Irvin McDowell at Bull Run: History & Facts

Irvin McDowell was the general who led Union forces in the First Battle of Bull Run, the first major land battle of the American Civil War. With nearly 5,000 combined casualties, the First Bull Run was a major defeat for Federal forces.

15. General William Tecumseh Sherman: Facts & History

William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891) was one of the most famous Union generals of the Civil War. Most notably, he captured Atlanta in September 1864 and led the famed March to the Sea in November and December 1864. His contributions were vital to the Union winning the Civil War.

16. Scalawags in the Civil War: Definition & Explanation

During the Reconstruction Era, those who attempted to alter the political landscape by strengthening the Republican Party in the South were labeled as 'scalawags' by southern Democrats. Learn more about the scalawags and their ultimate goals.

17. William Henry Seward in the Civil War: Facts & History

William H. Seward was Secretary of State from 1861 to 1869. During the American Civil War, he was an important adviser to Abraham Lincoln and worked to keep foreign powers out of the war.

18. Confederate Ironclad Ships During the Civil War

In this lesson, the reader will learn about ironclad warships that fought on the side of the Confederacy during the Civil War, their construction, famous battles, and future significance.

19. Union Ironclad Ships During the Civil War

This lesson instructs the reader regarding ironclad ships used by the Union Navy during the Civil War: names of famous ships, discusses types of ironclads, and talks about their impact on the present navy.

20. The Pottawatomie Massacre

The Pottawatomie Massacre involved the murder of five pro-slavery men in Kansas by the abolitionist John Brown and his sons. These dramatic events were part of a larger civil war in Kansas over slavery.

21. Reparations: Definition & Overview

In this lesson, you will learn about reparations. First you will learn the definition of reparations, and how they have been paid and thought of historically. Then, you will dig into the debate over American slavery reparations.

22. Reparations for Slavery

Slavery was abolished in 1865, but the legacies of this institution may have lived on. In this lesson, we're going to explore the history of reparations, and see how this relates to the legacies of slavery in American history.