Social Studies: The Civil War: Key Battles and Leaders
Learning about major battles, generals, and turning points of the Civil War
Social Studies: The Civil War: Key Battles and Leaders
Learning about major battles, generals, and turning points of the Civil War
Social Studies - Grade 6-8
- 1
What was the main issue that led to the Civil War in the United States?
Think about the biggest disagreement between the North and the South.
The main issue that led to the Civil War was the conflict over slavery and its expansion into new territories, along with disagreements about states' rights and federal power. - 2
Name the Confederate general who commanded the Army of Northern Virginia.
The Confederate general who commanded the Army of Northern Virginia was Robert E. Lee. - 3
Name the Union general who eventually became the top military commander of Union forces and later became president.
He accepted Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House.
The Union general who became the top military commander of Union forces and later became president was Ulysses S. Grant. - 4
Why was the Battle of Gettysburg considered a turning point in the Civil War?
Think about what happened after Lee tried to move into Union territory.
The Battle of Gettysburg was considered a turning point because it ended Lee's invasion of the North and gave the Union an important victory that shifted momentum in the war. - 5
What important river did the Union gain control of after the victory at Vicksburg?
After the victory at Vicksburg, the Union gained control of the Mississippi River. - 6
Explain why control of the Mississippi River was important during the Civil War.
Think about transportation and dividing territory.
Control of the Mississippi River was important because it allowed the Union to split the Confederacy in two and control a major route for moving troops and supplies. - 7
Who was the president of the United States during the Civil War?
The president of the United States during the Civil War was Abraham Lincoln. - 8
Who was the president of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War?
The president of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War was Jefferson Davis. - 9
What was the purpose of the Emancipation Proclamation?
It changed the meaning of the war and focused attention on slavery.
The purpose of the Emancipation Proclamation was to declare the freedom of enslaved people in Confederate states that were still in rebellion and to make ending slavery a Union war goal. - 10
Which battle is often remembered as the first major battle of the Civil War?
The First Battle of Bull Run, also called First Manassas, is often remembered as the first major battle of the Civil War. - 11
Who led the Union march through Georgia that damaged Confederate resources and weakened Southern morale?
His campaign became known as the March to the Sea.
William Tecumseh Sherman led the Union march through Georgia that damaged Confederate resources and weakened Southern morale. - 12
What happened at Appomattox Court House in 1865, and why was it important?
Think about the final surrender of a major Confederate army.
At Appomattox Court House in 1865, Robert E. Lee surrendered his army to Ulysses S. Grant. This was important because it marked the collapse of the Confederacy and effectively ended the Civil War.