8-4.4 And 8-4.5 Military Strategies
Military Strategies of the Civil War
- 1.
South Carolinians who wanted to secede but only if the other southern states did also:
- A.
Cooperationists
- B.
Fire Eaters
- C.
Unionists
- D.
Secessionists
Correct Answer
A. CooperationistsExplanation
The Cooperationists were a group of South Carolinians who wanted to secede from the Union, but only if the other southern states did as well. They believed that secession should be a collective decision made by all the southern states, rather than an individual action taken by South Carolina alone. This group sought to work together with other states to achieve secession and preserve the interests of the South.Rate this question:
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- 2.
A "total war" is a war that involves both soldiers and civilians. Which of the following is the best example of the Civil War being a total war?
- A.
The battle of the CSS Hunley submarine
- B.
Sherman's "March to the Sea"
- C.
The construction of a prison stockade in Florence
- D.
The first shots at Fort Sumter
Correct Answer
B. Sherman's "March to the Sea"Explanation
Sherman's "March to the Sea" is the best example of the Civil War being a total war because it involved not only military targets but also civilian infrastructure and resources. General Sherman and his troops deliberately targeted and destroyed civilian property, such as homes, farms, and railroads, in order to weaken the Confederate war effort and demoralize the Southern population. This campaign demonstrated the shift in strategy towards targeting civilian resources and infrastructure, making it a prime example of total war.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Confederate soldiers often had trouble getting food, clothing, and ammunition. Which of the following made it extremely difficult for the South to get needed supplies to its soldiers?
- A.
The Battle of Gettysburg
- B.
The burning of the city of Columbia
- C.
The Union capture of the Mississippi
- D.
The Union blockade of Charleston
Correct Answer
D. The Union blockade of CharlestonExplanation
During the American Civil War, the Union implemented a blockade of Confederate ports, including Charleston. This blockade made it extremely difficult for the South to receive the necessary supplies for its soldiers. With the Union controlling the seas, Confederate soldiers faced shortages of food, clothing, and ammunition, which further hampered their ability to fight effectively. The Union blockade of Charleston was a significant factor in the overall struggle for resources and ultimately weakened the Confederate war effort.Rate this question:
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- 4.
In 1863, Abraham Lincoln signed a document that freed all slaves in the rebelling states. This document was called the:
- A.
Gettysburg Address
- B.
Emancipation Proclamation
- C.
Ordinance of Secession
- D.
Reconstruction Amendment
Correct Answer
B. Emancipation ProclamationExplanation
The correct answer is Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation was a document signed by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 that declared all slaves in the rebelling states to be free. It was a significant step towards abolishing slavery in the United States and played a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the Civil War. The Gettysburg Address was a speech given by Lincoln in 1863, but it did not directly address the issue of slavery. The Ordinance of Secession refers to the documents that were signed by Southern states to secede from the Union, and the Reconstruction Amendment refers to the constitutional amendments passed during the Reconstruction era after the Civil War.Rate this question:
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- 5.
During the final months of the Civil War, Union General William Sherman marched his troops through South Carolina and destroyed everything in his path. Which of the following goals was General Sherman most likely trying to accomplish?
- A.
He wanted to use South Carolina as a warning to the other southern states.
- B.
He wanted to break the will of the South and give the Confederates no choice but to surrender.
- C.
He wanted to get revenge on South Carolina for starting the Civil War.
- D.
He wanted to cut off the Confederate Army's supply lines.
Correct Answer
B. He wanted to break the will of the South and give the Confederates no choice but to surrender.Explanation
During the final months of the Civil War, Union General William Sherman marched his troops through South Carolina and destroyed everything in his path. This action can be seen as part of Sherman's strategy of total war, where he aimed to break the will of the South and force the Confederates to surrender. By destroying infrastructure, resources, and civilian property, Sherman sought to demoralize the Southern population and make them realize the futility of continuing the war. This approach was intended to weaken the Confederacy and hasten the end of the war.Rate this question:
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- 6.
In 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States. This event made the Civil War almost inevitable, but it was THIS event that historians credit as being the "official" start of the Civil War:
- A.
The signing of the Emancipation Proclamation
- B.
The Battle of Gettysburg
- C.
The ratification of the Constitution of the Confederate States
- D.
The Battle of Fort Sumter
Correct Answer
D. The Battle of Fort SumterExplanation
The Battle of Fort Sumter is credited as the "official" start of the Civil War because it was the first military engagement between the Union and Confederate forces. This battle took place in April 1861, after Abraham Lincoln's election as President. The Confederate forces attacked and captured Fort Sumter, which was held by Union troops. This event marked the beginning of the armed conflict between the North and the South, leading to a long and bloody war.Rate this question:
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- 7.
As president of the Confederate States, Jefferson Davis immediately asked for volunteers to join the Confederate Army. As the war went on, he was forced to pass a "conscription law," which meant that:
- A.
Soldiers no longer had to be white men, but could also be slaves, children, and even a few women.
- B.
Soldiers had to have a certain degree of military training before going into battle.
- C.
Soldiers were not the only ones required to carry weapons, but also civilians.
- D.
Soldiers were drafted, or required by law, to serve in the army.
Correct Answer
D. Soldiers were drafted, or required by law, to serve in the army.Explanation
During the Civil War, Jefferson Davis, as the president of the Confederate States, initially called for volunteers to join the Confederate Army. However, as the war progressed, he had to implement a "conscription law" or a draft. This meant that soldiers were no longer volunteering, but were instead required by law to serve in the army. The draft allowed the Confederate Army to replenish its ranks and maintain a sufficient number of soldiers for the ongoing conflict.Rate this question:
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- 8.
In 1861, Robert Smalls was hired to work aboard a Confederate steamship known as the Planter. After much planning, he convinced several members of the crew to help him seize the ship and deliver it to the Union Army. Why did Robert Smalls betray the Confederate Army?
- A.
He was a slave, and he knew that a Union victory would help end slavery in America.
- B.
He was a Union spy who had been sent to the South to capture a ship.
- C.
He was former ship captain, and he wanted to get revenge on the Confederate Army for stealing his own ship a year earlier.
- D.
He was a high-ranking Confederate soldier, but he felt that the Army did not appreciate his service.
Correct Answer
A. He was a slave, and he knew that a Union victory would help end slavery in America.Explanation
Robert Smalls betrayed the Confederate Army because he was a slave and understood that a Union victory would lead to the end of slavery in America. He saw an opportunity to seize the Confederate steamship and deliver it to the Union Army, ultimately contributing to the cause of abolishing slavery.Rate this question:
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- 9.
On February 16, 1865, The Union Army reached the city of Columbia, South Carolina. What was the fate of the city over the next few days?
- A.
In an effort to limit the destruction of the South, Abraham Lincoln ordered that the city be spared.
- B.
The Union troops marched through the city without stopping because their main target was Charleston.
- C.
Much of the city was burned by Union troops.
- D.
Brave South Carolina soldiers fought off the Union invasion.
Correct Answer
C. Much of the city was burned by Union troops. -
- 10.
One of the ways that the Confederate Army tried to break or disrupt the Union blockade on the city of Charleston was by employing a new weapon known as the Hunley. The Hunley was which of the following?
- A.
The first motorized blockade runner.
- B.
The first "missile" launched at a distance longer than one mile.
- C.
The first submarine to sink a ship in combat.
- D.
The first hot air balloon to drop bombs on an enemy target.
Correct Answer
C. The first submarine to sink a ship in combat.Explanation
The correct answer is "The first submarine to sink a ship in combat." The explanation is that the Hunley was a Confederate submarine that successfully sank the Union warship USS Housatonic in 1864, making it the first submarine in history to sink an enemy ship in combat. This innovative weapon was an attempt by the Confederate Army to break the Union blockade on the city of Charleston.Rate this question:
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- 11.
This man served as the first--and only--President of the Confederate States of America:
- A.
Stephen Douglas
- B.
Robert E. Lee
- C.
Jefferson Davis
- D.
William Lloyd Garrison
Correct Answer
C. Jefferson DavisExplanation
Jefferson Davis is the correct answer because he was indeed the first and only President of the Confederate States of America. He served as the President from 1861 until 1865, leading the Confederacy during the American Civil War. Davis was a prominent figure in the secessionist movement and played a crucial role in the establishment and governance of the Confederate government. His presidency ended with the defeat of the Confederacy in 1865.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Early in the war, the Union Army captured Port Royal Sound in South Carolina. The key reason why the Army did this was to:
- A.
Seize the Sea Island cotton.
- B.
Launch a blockade.
- C.
Invade Columbia, the capital city.
- D.
To begin schools to teach the former slaves.
Correct Answer
B. Launch a blockade.Explanation
The Union Army captured Port Royal Sound in South Carolina early in the war in order to launch a blockade. This blockade would prevent the Confederate Army from receiving supplies and reinforcements through the port, weakening their position and hindering their ability to continue the war effort.Rate this question:
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- 13.
A "fire eater" was someone who:
- A.
Felt that S.C. should secede no matter what other states did.
- B.
Worked in the confederate circus
- C.
Felt that S.C. should remain in the Union.
- D.
Felt that S.C. should secede but only if other states did first.
Correct Answer
A. Felt that S.C. should secede no matter what other states did.Explanation
A "fire eater" was someone who felt that S.C. should secede no matter what other states did. This term refers to individuals who were extremely passionate and aggressive in their support for secession. They believed that South Carolina should leave the Union regardless of the actions or decisions made by other states. This indicates a strong commitment to the idea of secession and a disregard for the opinions or actions of other states.Rate this question:
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- 14.
A Unionist:
- A.
Felt that S.C. should stay in the Union and not secede
- B.
Felt that S.C. should secede but also felt really badly about betraying the Union
- C.
Felt that S.C. should secede no matter what.
- D.
Felt that S.C. should secede if other states go as well.
Correct Answer
A. Felt that S.C. should stay in the Union and not secedeExplanation
The answer suggests that the Unionist believed that South Carolina should remain a part of the Union and not secede. This implies that the Unionist did not support the idea of South Carolina separating from the United States.Rate this question:
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- 15.
List a state besides S.C. that seceded from the Union early in the war
Correct Answer
Florida
Georgia
Louisiana
Alabama
Texas
MississippiExplanation
During the early stages of the American Civil War, several states seceded from the Union. Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, and Mississippi were among the states that chose to secede. These states believed that their interests and rights were not being adequately represented by the federal government, particularly in relation to the issue of slavery. As a result, they decided to leave the Union and form their own separate government, known as the Confederate States of America. This marked a significant turning point in the war and set the stage for further conflict between the North and the South.Rate this question:
- 16.
The Union had a four stage plan to win the war. What city did the Union want to capture as part of this plan?
- A.
New York, NY
- B.
Charleston. SC
- C.
Birmingham, AL
- D.
Richmond, VA
Correct Answer
D. Richmond, VAExplanation
During the American Civil War, the Union had a four-stage plan to win the war. The city that the Union wanted to capture as part of this plan was Richmond, VA. Richmond was the capital of the Confederate States of America and a vital industrial and transportation hub. Capturing Richmond would have dealt a significant blow to the Confederacy, both strategically and symbolically, as it would have cut off their capital and disrupted their supply lines.Rate this question:
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- 17.
The Union had a four stage plan to win the war. Which part was designed to stop the C.S.A. from being resupplied?
- A.
Blockade
- B.
Splitting the Confederacy
- C.
Executing the President of the C.S.A.
- D.
Air raids on southern ports
Correct Answer
A. BlockadeExplanation
The correct answer is blockade. The Union's four stage plan to win the war included a blockade, which was designed to stop the Confederate States of America (C.S.A.) from being resupplied. A blockade involves the use of naval forces to prevent goods, supplies, and reinforcements from reaching the enemy's ports or coastlines. By imposing a blockade, the Union aimed to cut off the Confederacy's access to vital resources and weaken their ability to sustain their war effort. This strategy was an important part of the Union's overall plan to defeat the Confederacy during the Civil War.Rate this question:
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- 18.
The Union had a four stage plan to win the war. Destroying the C.S.A. railroads was which part of the plan.
- A.
Splitting the Confederacy in two in order to separate troops.
- B.
Blockading C.S.A. ports.
- C.
Attacking communications and transportation systems.
- D.
Using submarine warfare to attack C.S.A. shipping.
Correct Answer
C. Attacking communications and transportation systems.Explanation
The correct answer is attacking communications and transportation systems. This strategy would disrupt the Confederate Army's ability to move troops and supplies, weakening their overall military power. By targeting railroads, telegraph lines, and other means of communication and transportation, the Union hoped to isolate Confederate forces and gain an advantage in the war.Rate this question:
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- 19.
The Union had a four stage plan to win the war. Which part of the plan included the Mississippi River as a key element?
- A.
Blockading C.S.A. ports
- B.
Splitting the C.S.A. in two.
- C.
Attacking the Capital.
- D.
Attacking communications and transportation systems.
Correct Answer
B. Splitting the C.S.A. in two.Explanation
The part of the plan that included the Mississippi River as a key element was "Splitting the C.S.A. in two." By gaining control of the Mississippi River, the Union would effectively divide the Confederate States of America, cutting off their communication and supply lines. This would weaken the Confederacy and make it easier for the Union to defeat them in the war.Rate this question:
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- 20.
The C.S.A. had a strategy to win the war. What was the main element of the strategy?
- A.
Fight an Offensive war.
- B.
Use guerrilla tactics to fight
- C.
Use explosive charges to kill or wound as many Union soldiers as possible.
- D.
Fight a defensive war.
Correct Answer
D. Fight a defensive war.Explanation
The main element of the strategy of the C.S.A. was to fight a defensive war. This means that they aimed to defend their territory and repel Union attacks rather than launching aggressive offensives. By adopting a defensive stance, the C.S.A. hoped to exhaust Union resources and morale, while also relying on the advantage of fighting on home soil. This strategy allowed them to conserve their forces and prolong the war, as they believed that time was on their side and that the Union would eventually tire of the conflict.Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Jan 18, 2015Quiz Created by
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