WORKSHEET CHAPTER 20
QUESTIONS
1. Lincoln said secession was impractical. Your author agrees. Why?
Geologically speaking, the North and the South were bound to one another because there isn't a big graphical separation between the two part, neither mountains or rivers stood in between the two. Controversies will surely arise with the questions or the responsibilities of the national debt and how evenly split the jointly held federal territories. The Underground Railroad will without a doubt double its activity with the Southern secession and with a separated country, Europe will surely seize the opportunity to gain land in the Americas.
2. Why would Europe be delighted if the US did separate?
The Europeans could conquer the U.S for power if it was separated into into chaos. The European imperialists could easily defy the Monroe Doctrine and seize American territory because there would be no unified republic to stand across their path. The Europeans would dominate.
3. The text states that Lincoln's choices regarding Fort Sumter were all bad. Why?
Lincoln's choices regarding Fort Sumter were all bad because the provisions could only last a few weeks until mid-April of 1861. If there were no supplies, than the commander would have to surrender before the battle even starts. Additionally, if Lincoln sent troops as reinforcements, the South Carolinians would not hesitate to fight back because they would not tolerate the federal fort blocking the important Atlantic seaport.
4. What actions provoked a Confederate attack on Fort Sumter? How did the North react? The South?
Lincoln noticed that an expedition would be sent to provision the garrison, not reinforce it. However, the Southerners saw "provision" as "reinforcement." When a Union naval force started its way to Fort Sumter,the South saw it as an act of aggression and opened fire on the fort. After 34 hours of bombardment with no lives lost, the garrison surrendered. The north was electrified because of the attack and cried "Save the Union." Many enthusiasts volunteered to fight the the Union after the attack. However, Arkansas, Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina succeeded with the other 7 Southern states as "submisisionists."
5. Why were the Border States crucial? What steps did Lincoln take to keep them in the Union?
The Border States contained a white population more than half of the entire Confederacy. If they joined the South, they could double the manufacturing capacity of the South and increase by nearly half its supply of horses and mules. Also, the Ohio River was along the northern border of Kentucky and West Virginia. Lincoln was obliged to declare that he was not fighting to free the blacks because if he stated he was fighting for the blacks, the Border States would secede since majority of the area had men who carried racial prejudices.
6. What role did Native Americans play in the war?
The Native Americans supplied troops especially to the Confederate army. Since some of the natives owned slaves, they felt themselves to be making common cause with the slave owning South. The Confederate government agreed to take over federal funds to the tribes and invited the natives to send delegates to the Confederate congress to secure their loyalty. In returned, the Native Americans sent troops for the Confederate army. The natives who sided with the Union were to be rewarded after the war with a relentless military campaign to herd them onto reservations or into oblivion.
7. Why is the Civil War often referred to as a war between brothers?
There were Northern volunteers from the Southern states and vice versa. Also, in families of Border States, one brother would go to the North and fight and the other would join the Confederate army. Members in the same family would go on separate paths and fight against one another. Lincoln's Kentucky- born wife had 4 brothers who fought in the Confederacy.
8. As the war began what advantages did the South have? The North?
The South had a great military, they could fight defensively, they also had the most talented officers for military like General Robert E. Lee. They also managed to obtain sufficient weaponry. Though the South had many military advantages, they lost to the North on supplies, economy, and manpower. The economy was the North's greatest strength. They had farms, factories, and railroads. The North also controlled the sea, with its superior navy that soon choked off Southern supplies. The population of the loyal states was a lot higher than the seceding states, which makes the overwhelming supply of soldiery.
