Civil War Vocabulary and Concepts Quiz

The term 'sovereign' pertains to having supreme power and authority over a certain territory or domain, often used to describe a ruling monarch or government.

An ordinance typically refers to an official order or direction issued by a government or authority.

Cotton Diplomacy was a strategy employed by the South during the American Civil War to manipulate European powers, notably Britain, into supporting their cause by creating a cotton shortage. This tactic aimed to exploit Britain's dependence on Southern cotton for their textile industry.

States' Rights refers to the principle that state governments have more authority and power over certain issues than the federal government. This concept has been a point of contention throughout U.S. history, with debates over the balance of power between state and federal governments.

An exemption refers to the act of being freed from a duty or obligation, typically due to special circumstances or criteria being met.

The term 'Unionist' specifically refers to a person who supports the Union (United States) during the Civil War era.

A blockade refers to blocking or obstructing something, not allowing or permitting, building or constructing, or connecting or uniting.

A vigilante is an individual who takes the law into their own hands and acts outside of legal authority to enforce justice.

Homespun refers to a specific type of fabric that is woven in homes rather than in factories, giving it a unique look and feel.

Reconstruction aimed to reintegrate the seceded states back into the Union after the Civil War, rather than creating further division, punishment, or new territories.

Freedmen were individuals who were previously enslaved but gained their freedom.

Radical Republicans were members of the Republican Party who advocated for more aggressive policies during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. They believed in Congress taking the lead in ensuring civil rights for freed slaves and punishing former Confederates.

Ratify means to officially approve or sanction.

An amendment refers to a change made in a constitution to update or modify its provisions.

The Black Codes were a series of laws passed by Southern states after the Civil War that aimed to restrict the freedoms and rights of African Americans.

A veto is when a President or governor refuses to approve a law that has been passed.

Impeaching someone means to bring formal charges against a public official for misconduct in office. It is a necessary step in the process of potentially removing them from their position.

A 'Scalawag' was a derogatory term used to describe white Southerners who supported the Reconstruction governments during the Civil War, usually seen as traitors by their fellow Southerners.

A carpetbagger refers to a northerner who moved to the South after the American Civil War, specifically to profit from the Reconstruction era policies.

Martial Law refers to the law applied by government military forces in an emergency situation, where the normal civilian government may be suspended or restricted.

Manifest Destiny was a widely held belief in the United States during the 19th century that the country's settlers were destined to expand across North America. It specifically focused on the belief that Americans had the right to claim and settle all lands in the west, often leading to conflicts with Native American tribes and other nations.

The correct answer is 'The act of deriving logical conclusions known or assumed to be true.' Infer means to deduce information based on evidence and reasoning, rather than being related to musical instruments, introducing new things, or organizing data.

Analyzing involves a detailed examination of a subject by breaking it into parts and studying how these parts relate to each other. It is a comprehensive process that goes beyond summarizing or focusing on just one aspect.

In this context, 'role' refers to the specific part or character that a person portrays or plays during a certain event or situation.

Identifying involves providing details about a person, event, or place to help others understand its significance or context.

The word 'significance' is synonymous with 'importance', making it the correct answer. 'Relevance', 'insignificance', and 'triviality' do not accurately represent the meaning of 'significance'.