End of the Civil War – Answers to Questions

End of the Civil War – Answers to Questions April 21, 2010

1) Why was Grant referred to as “the butcher of men”? • Had a reputation for ruthlessly waging war • When going through Virginia in 1864, he left a path of destruction

2) What were the military strategies of Sherman and Grant? • Push the Confederacy back • Destroy homes and buildings • Lower Southern morale

3) In 5-10 points, give a brief timeline of how the war ended, starting with the union victory at Vicksburg. • July 4, 1863 – Vicksburg won by Union • July 1863 – Draft imposed by Union • 1864 – Grant invades Virginia • Sept 1864 – Sherman captures Atlanta • Nov 1864 – Lincoln re-elected • Mar 1865 – Lincoln gives 2nd inaugural address • April 9 1865 – Lee surrendered at Appomattox • April 14 1865 - Lincoln is assassinated

4) What were some of the immediate outcomes of the war? • 550,000 deaths • Southern communities destroyed – generation dies • Southern economy destroyed • Northern economy boosted • Lincoln assassinated

5) What were some of the long term challenges of the war? • Greater economic division between the North and South • Reconstruction had to occur • Rebuilding the Southern economy

6) Why would the president’s role be strengthened as a result of the Civil War? • Victory during Civil War came as a result of President’s role, therefore greater trust in Lincoln

7) How did the Civil war impact the Southern Economy? • Confederate currency worthless • Banks were shut down • Railroads and ports were destroyed • Slavery abolished

8) How does Lincoln’s plan for reconstruction differ from the radical republicans? • Lincoln wanted to act slowly and patiently, getting one state at a time. • Radicals wanted to move faster, Northern radicals wanted to punish the South

9) Why was the death of Lincoln a calamity for the South? • Lincoln was the only politician that could peacefully reunite the North and the South

End of the Civil War – Answers to Questions