AP US History Flashcards: Military Conflict In The Civil War

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Military Conflict In The Civil War, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP US History.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What was significant about the Battle of Antietam?

Answer: It was the bloodiest single-day battle in U.S. history. September 17, 1862 saw over 22,000 casualties.

Flashcard 2: Name the Union strategy to blockade Southern ports.

Answer: The Anaconda Plan. General Winfield Scott's strategy to strangle the South.

Flashcard 3: Which Union general was relieved of command by Lincoln after the Battle of Antietam?

Answer: General George B. McClellan. Too cautious despite victory at Antietam.

Flashcard 4: Which battle marked the last major Confederate attempt to invade the North?

Answer: The Battle of Gettysburg. Lee's defeat ended hopes of European recognition.

Flashcard 5: Which battle is known for being the single bloodiest day in American military history?

Answer: The Battle of Antietam. Over 22,000 casualties in a single day.

Flashcard 6: Which side won the Battle of Antietam?

Answer: It was tactically inconclusive, but a strategic Union victory. Stopped Lee's invasion but he escaped to fight again.

Flashcard 7: Which battle was known for its significant use of trench warfare?

Answer: The Siege of Petersburg. Nine-month siege from June 1864 to April 1865.

Flashcard 8: Which battle was the first major battle of the Civil War?

Answer: The First Battle of Bull Run. July 21, 1861 shocked both sides with its violence.

Flashcard 9: What was the Emancipation Proclamation?

Answer: A decree by Lincoln freeing slaves in Confederate states. Issued January 1, 1863, as a wartime measure.

Flashcard 10: Which Confederate general earned the nickname 'Stonewall'?

Answer: General Thomas J. Jackson. Earned nickname for standing firm at First Bull Run.

Flashcard 11: Which battle ended with Pickett's Charge?

Answer: The Battle of Gettysburg. Failed Confederate assault on July 3, 1863.

Flashcard 12: Which battle is known for being the single bloodiest day in American military history?

Answer: The Battle of Antietam. Over 22,000 casualties in a single day.

Flashcard 13: Identify the significance of the Battle of Shiloh.

Answer: It demonstrated the war would be long and bloody. April 6-7, 1862 surprised both sides with its scale.

Flashcard 14: What was the main goal of the Confederacy during the Civil War?

Answer: To achieve independence from the Union. Sought recognition as a separate sovereign nation.

Flashcard 15: What was the main significance of the Battle of Fort Sumter?

Answer: It marked the beginning of the Civil War. First shots fired April 12, 1861.

Flashcard 16: Which Union general was known for his 'total war' strategy?

Answer: General William Tecumseh Sherman. Targeted civilian infrastructure to break Southern morale.

Flashcard 17: What was the primary cause of the Civil War?

Answer: The primary cause was the issue of slavery. Slavery's expansion and states' rights conflicts led to secession.

Flashcard 18: What was the main goal of the Confederacy during the Civil War?

Answer: To achieve independence from the Union. Sought recognition as a separate sovereign nation.

Flashcard 19: Which Union general was relieved of command by Lincoln after the Battle of Antietam?

Answer: General George B. McClellan. Too cautious despite victory at Antietam.

Flashcard 20: Where did General Lee surrender to General Grant?

Answer: Appomattox Court House, Virginia. April 9, 1865 surrender ended the war.

Flashcard 21: What was the result of the Battle of Fredericksburg?

Answer: A significant Confederate victory. December 13, 1862 assault failed with heavy Union losses.

Flashcard 22: Identify the first state to secede from the Union.

Answer: South Carolina. Seceded December 20, 1860 after Lincoln's election.

Flashcard 23: Which Union general was known for his 'total war' strategy?

Answer: General William Tecumseh Sherman. Targeted civilian infrastructure to break Southern morale.

Flashcard 24: Which battle ended with Pickett's Charge?

Answer: The Battle of Gettysburg. Failed Confederate assault on July 3, 1863.

Flashcard 25: Which side won the Battle of Antietam?

Answer: It was tactically inconclusive, but a strategic Union victory. Stopped Lee's invasion but he escaped to fight again.

Flashcard 26: What significant action did Lincoln take on January 1, 1863?

Answer: Issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Freed slaves in rebellious states as war measure.

Flashcard 27: Who was the president of the Confederacy?

Answer: Jefferson Davis. Former U.S. Senator and Secretary of War.

Flashcard 28: Which battle was the first major battle of the Civil War?

Answer: The First Battle of Bull Run. July 21, 1861 shocked both sides with its violence.

Flashcard 29: Name the Union strategy to blockade Southern ports.

Answer: The Anaconda Plan. General Winfield Scott's strategy to strangle the South.

Flashcard 30: What event marked the official start of the Civil War?

Answer: The attack on Fort Sumter. April 12, 1861 bombardment in South Carolina.

Flashcard 31: What was the purpose of the Union's Anaconda Plan?

Answer: To blockade Southern ports and control the Mississippi River. Split the Confederacy and cut supply lines.

Flashcard 32: What event marked the official start of the Civil War?

Answer: The attack on Fort Sumter. April 12, 1861 bombardment in South Carolina.

Flashcard 33: What was a major consequence of the Emancipation Proclamation?

Answer: It shifted the war focus to include the abolition of slavery. Transformed Union goals from reunion to liberation.

Flashcard 34: Who led the famous March to the Sea?

Answer: General William Tecumseh Sherman. Destroyed Confederate infrastructure from Atlanta to Savannah.

Flashcard 35: What was a major consequence of the Emancipation Proclamation?

Answer: It shifted the war focus to include the abolition of slavery. Transformed Union goals from reunion to liberation.

Flashcard 36: What was the Union's main goal in the Civil War?

Answer: To preserve the Union. Lincoln's primary war aim until 1863.

Flashcard 37: What was the primary cause of the Civil War?

Answer: The primary cause was the issue of slavery. Slavery's expansion and states' rights conflicts led to secession.

Flashcard 38: Which Confederate general earned the nickname 'Stonewall'?

Answer: General Thomas J. Jackson. Earned nickname for standing firm at First Bull Run.

Flashcard 39: Which amendment abolished slavery in the United States?

Answer: The 13th Amendment. Ratified December 6, 1865.

Flashcard 40: Who led the famous March to the Sea?

Answer: General William Tecumseh Sherman. Destroyed Confederate infrastructure from Atlanta to Savannah.

Flashcard 41: What was the Emancipation Proclamation?

Answer: A decree by Lincoln freeing slaves in Confederate states. Issued January 1, 1863, as a wartime measure.

Flashcard 42: How did the Civil War officially end?

Answer: With General Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House. Lee's surrender April 9, 1865 ended major fighting.

Flashcard 43: What was the significance of the Gettysburg Address?

Answer: Lincoln reaffirmed the principles of liberty and equality. Brief speech redefined the war's purpose and meaning.

Flashcard 44: Who was the main commander of the Confederate Army?

Answer: General Robert E. Lee. Virginia's top general and military tactician.

Flashcard 45: What was the key outcome of the Siege of Vicksburg?

Answer: The Union gained control of the Mississippi River. Split the Confederacy and secured Union supply lines.

Flashcard 46: Identify the significance of the Battle of Shiloh.

Answer: It demonstrated the war would be long and bloody. April 6-7, 1862 surprised both sides with its scale.

Flashcard 47: Who was the main commander of the Confederate Army?

Answer: General Robert E. Lee. Virginia's top general and military tactician.

Flashcard 48: How did the Civil War officially end?

Answer: With General Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House. Lee's surrender April 9, 1865 ended major fighting.

Flashcard 49: What was the purpose of the Union's Anaconda Plan?

Answer: To blockade Southern ports and control the Mississippi River. Split the Confederacy and cut supply lines.

Flashcard 50: Which battle marked the last major Confederate attempt to invade the North?

Answer: The Battle of Gettysburg. Lee's defeat ended hopes of European recognition.

Flashcard 51: Which battle is known as the turning point of the Civil War?

Answer: The Battle of Gettysburg. July 1-3, 1863 victory ended Confederate northern invasion.

Flashcard 52: What was the capital of the Confederacy?

Answer: Richmond, Virginia. Moved from Montgomery, Alabama in May 1861.

Flashcard 53: What was the significance of the Gettysburg Address?

Answer: Lincoln reaffirmed the principles of liberty and equality. Brief speech redefined the war's purpose and meaning.

Flashcard 54: What was significant about the Battle of Antietam?

Answer: It was the bloodiest single-day battle in U.S. history. September 17, 1862 saw over 22,000 casualties.

Flashcard 55: Who was the Union general who accepted the Confederate surrender?

Answer: Ulysses S. Grant. Commanding General who led Union to victory.

Flashcard 56: What was the main significance of the Battle of Fort Sumter?

Answer: It marked the beginning of the Civil War. First shots fired April 12, 1861.

Flashcard 57: What was the Union's main goal in the Civil War?

Answer: To preserve the Union. Lincoln's primary war aim until 1863.

Flashcard 58: Identify the first state to secede from the Union.

Answer: South Carolina. Seceded December 20, 1860 after Lincoln's election.

Flashcard 59: Who was the president of the Confederacy?

Answer: Jefferson Davis. Former U.S. Senator and Secretary of War.

Flashcard 60: What was the key outcome of the Siege of Vicksburg?

Answer: The Union gained control of the Mississippi River. Split the Confederacy and secured Union supply lines.

Flashcard 61: Which Union victory gave them control of the Mississippi River?

Answer: The Siege of Vicksburg. Grant's campaign secured the Mississippi River.

Flashcard 62: Which battle is known as the turning point of the Civil War?

Answer: The Battle of Gettysburg. July 1-3, 1863 victory ended Confederate northern invasion.

Flashcard 63: What was the significance of the Battle of Chancellorsville?

Answer: A major Confederate victory despite being outnumbered. Lee's tactical masterpiece but costly Confederate victory.

Flashcard 64: Where did General Lee surrender to General Grant?

Answer: Appomattox Court House, Virginia. April 9, 1865 surrender ended the war.

Flashcard 65: What was the primary strategy of the Confederacy during the Civil War?

Answer: Defensive warfare to outlast the Union. Limited resources required avoiding major losses.

Flashcard 66: What significant action did Lincoln take on January 1, 1863?

Answer: Issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Freed slaves in rebellious states as war measure.

Flashcard 67: Who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln?

Answer: John Wilkes Booth. Actor who shot Lincoln at Ford's Theatre.

Flashcard 68: Which battle was known for its significant use of trench warfare?

Answer: The Siege of Petersburg. Nine-month siege from June 1864 to April 1865.

Flashcard 69: Which Union victory gave them control of the Mississippi River?

Answer: The Siege of Vicksburg. Grant's campaign secured the Mississippi River.

Flashcard 70: What was the capital of the Confederacy?

Answer: Richmond, Virginia. Moved from Montgomery, Alabama in May 1861.

Flashcard 71: Who was the Union general who accepted the Confederate surrender?

Answer: Ulysses S. Grant. Commanding General who led Union to victory.

Flashcard 72: What was the primary strategy of the Confederacy during the Civil War?

Answer: Defensive warfare to outlast the Union. Limited resources required avoiding major losses.

Flashcard 73: Who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln?

Answer: John Wilkes Booth. Actor who shot Lincoln at Ford's Theatre.

Flashcard 74: What was the significance of the Battle of Chancellorsville?

Answer: A major Confederate victory despite being outnumbered. Lee's tactical masterpiece but costly Confederate victory.

Flashcard 75: What was the result of the Battle of Fredericksburg?

Answer: A significant Confederate victory. December 13, 1862 assault failed with heavy Union losses.