1. Why did the call for military volunteers lead more states to secede?
A: Lincoln's call for military volunteers created a crisis in the Upper South. Many people in those state did not want to secede, but they were not willing to take up arms against fellow Southerns. Hence, four more states chose to leave the Union--Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
2. Why do you think so many African Americans were willing to volunteer to fight?
A: Many African Americans were willing to volunteer to fight in the Civil War because they were given freedom to do so.
3. How did the reconstruction plans of Lincoln and Congress differ?
A: President Lincoln wanted to reconcile the South with the Union instead of punishing it for treason. In his plans, Lincoln would offer a general amnesty, or pardon, to all Southerns who took an oath of loyalty to the United States and accepted the Union's proclamations concerning slavery. When 10 percent of a state's voters in the 1860 president election had taken this oath, they could organize a new state government. Certain people, such as Confederate government officials and military officers, could not take the oath or be pardoned. Congress, however, had a different plan in mind. Congress wanted to prevent the leaders of the Confederacy from returning to power after the war. They also wanted the Republican Party to become a powerful institution in the South. Finally, and perhaps more importantly, they wanted the federal government to help African Americans to achieve political economy by guaranteeing their right to vote in the South.
4. Why did congressional Republicans pass amendments to the Constitution?
A: Congressional Republicans passed the Fourteenth Amendment because they feared that the Civil Rights Act might later be overturned in court. In addition, they passed the Fifteenth Amendment because they recognized the importance of African American suffrage.
5. In what areas did the North and South has advantages and disadvantages?
A: The North and South each had distinct advantages and disadvantages. In 1860 the population of the North was about 22 million, while the South had about 9 million people. The North's larger population gave it a great advantage in raising an army and on supporting the war effort. The South was at a disadvantage in this area. The North industries also gave the region an important economic advantage over the South. In 1860 almost 90 percent of the nation's factories were located in the Northern states. In addition, the South had only half as many miles of railroad track as the North and had only one line--from Memphis to Chattanooga--connecting the western states of the Confederacy to the east. These, however, were not the only disadvantages of the South. Most Southern planters were in debt and unable to buy bonds. Southern banks were small and had few cash reserves. The South had no organized opposition part, either. However, just as the North had a strong naval tradition, the South had a strong military tradition as well as many experienced officers to lead its troops in battle.
4 answers
1 answer