Civil War Causes & Consequences: Key Questions Answered

Civil War: Examining Key Issues and Events

1. Frederick Douglass's Argument Against Slavery

How did Frederick Douglass argue against the institution of slavery? What evidence of the evils of slavery did he present?

Frederick Douglass highlighted that enslaved people were treated as property, lacking control over their own bodies. He pointed out that enslavers could buy, sell, and bequeath enslaved people like any other possession. Enslaved people were dictated what to eat and drink, when and where to speak, and whom to marry, and were often separated from their families.

2. Georgia's Reasons for Seceding

What reasons did Georgia give for leaving the Union?

Georgia argued that the Northern states had strived to weaken their security, disturbed their peace and tranquility, and were not in compliance with the Constitution regarding the right to property (enslaved people).

3. Mississippi's Reasons for Seceding

What reasons did Mississippi give for seceding from the Union?

Mississippi's reasoning included the perception of insufficient acquisition of new land suitable for slavery. They also emphasized the economic dependence on enslaved labor, which the North was attempting to abolish.

4. South Carolina's Reasons for Seceding

What reasons did South Carolina give for seceding from the United States?

South Carolina argued that if the government becomes destructive to the ends for which it was established, the people have the right to abolish it. They also asserted their right to property (enslaved people).

5. Texas's Reasons for Seceding

What reasons did the state of Texas give for seceding from the Union?

Texas claimed that the first settlers of Texas came with their enslaved people, and that this practice should continue.

6. State Blaming the Federal Government for Lack of Protection

Which state blamed the federal government for not protecting them from Native Americans and bandits?

Texas.

7. State Claiming the Right to Secede

Which state claimed that they had the right to leave the Union if it becomes destructive of the ends for which it was established?

South Carolina.

8. Arguments Used by Defenders of Slavery

The defenders of slavery included which of the following to further their arguments?

Economics, religion, the Constitution, and social good.

9. Consequences of Freeing Enslaved People: Pro-Slavery Argument

Defenders of slavery argued that if all the enslaved people were freed, there would be widespread ________ and ________.

Chaos; unemployment.

10. Historical Argument for Slavery

How did people who were pro-slavery make a historical argument?

They argued that the Greeks and Romans had enslaved people, and that the English had enslaved people for a period.

11. Biblical Arguments for Slavery

Which two of the following were used as Biblical arguments for slavery?

One of the Ten Commandments; Jesus never said it was wrong.

12. Dred Scott Decision

What was the decision made in the court case called Dred Scott?

The decision was that Black people (free or not) had no legal standing because they were not citizens of the United States.

13. Triggers of the Civil War

What are three triggers that started the Civil War?

John Brown's actions, Abraham Lincoln winning the election, and the issue of slavery.

14. Northern Advantages in the Civil War

Name at least 5 ways in which the North had an advantage over the South.

Railroad mileage, shipping tonnage, more firearms produced, more value of manufactured goods, and a larger white male population.

15. Civil War Casualties

How many casualties were there during the Civil War? How many died? What other American War came the closest to the Civil War in the number of deaths?

There were 1,100,000 casualties and more than 620,000 deaths. World War II came the closest in terms of deaths.

16. Disease-Related Deaths in the Civil War

For every 3 soldiers killed in battle, 5 more died of disease.