American civil war for the confederacy
Sample Solution
A1. The American Civil War was primarily about preserving the institution of slavery for the Confederacy. They believed states' rights and self-determination included the right to maintain slavery within their borders.
A2. General Robert E. Lee led the Army of Northern Virginia, considered the most prestigious Confederate military force.
A3. The Confederate States Army won the First Battle of Bull Run (also known as Manassas) in July 1861. However, the victory was short-lived. While it initially boosted Confederate morale, it also emboldened the South, leading them to underestimate the Union's resolve and prolonging the war.
A4. General Ulysses S. Grant emerged as a successful Union General in the Western Theater, earning him national recognition and paving the way for his future role as commander of the entire Union Army.
A5. The American Civil War was primarily about preserving the Union for the North. They fought to prevent the secession of Southern states and maintain the unity of the nation. Additionally, as the war progressed, the abolition of slavery became a central goal for the Union.
A6. After the Battle of Antietam in 1862, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all enslaved people in Confederate states to be free. This shifted the war's focus from simply preserving the Union to ending slavery, solidifying international support for the North and weakening the Confederacy's position.
Full Answer Section
A7. The Battle of Antietam is remembered as the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with an estimated 22,000 casualties on both sides. However, it was a turning point, strategically resulting in a tactical draw but a strategic victory for the Union as it prevented a Confederate invasion of the North and provided justification for the Emancipation Proclamation.
A8. The first shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter, located in Charleston harbor, South Carolina, on April 12, 1861. The Confederate bombardment of the fort marked the official start of the war.