Government Policies during the Civil War

#AP US History: Civil War & Reconstruction - The Night Before

Hey there! Let's get you feeling confident and ready to crush this exam. We're going to focus on the big picture, hit the key points, and make sure you're not just memorizing facts, but understanding the story. Let's do this!

#Preserving the Union: Lincoln's Initial Goal

• Initial Focus:

* **First Inaugural Address (1861):** Lincoln emphasized upholding the Constitution and preventing secession. He stated he would not interfere with slavery where it existed, but would not allow the Southern states to leave the Union. 📜

#Opposition to the War

• Conscription (Draft): Both sides implemented a draft, which led to significant opposition on the home front.
  • Copperheads/Peace Democrats:

* **New York Draft Riots:** Violent protests against the draft in NYC, a Democratic stronghold. 😠 * **Southern Bread Riots:** Food shortages led to riots in Southern cities. 🍞 * **Election of 1864:** Lincoln narrowly defeated George B. McClellan, who ran on a platform of ending the war through negotiation. McClellan's popularity stemmed from war-weariness and opposition to Lincoln's policies. 🗳️

• Military Victories:

#Lincoln & the Border States

• Border States: Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, and Delaware were slave states that remained loyal to the Union. Keeping them was crucial for the Union's success.
• Strategic Importance: These states had vital resources and strategic locations. If Maryland seceded, Washington D.C. would be surrounded by Confederate states. 📍

Border states in yellow.

• Martial Law & Habeas Corpus:

* **Martial Law:** Military rule imposed in certain areas. * **Suspension of Habeas Corpus:** The right to a trial was suspended, allowing for the detention of suspected Confederate sympathizers. This was controversial but seen as necessary by Lincoln. ⚖️

#Emancipation Proclamation

• Issued January 1, 1863: Freed slaves in Confederate-held territory (not border states). It was a military measure, not a moral one, initially.
• Impact:
  • Reframed War Goals: The war became about both preserving the Union and ending slavery. 🤝
  • Self-Emancipation: Enslaved people fled to Union lines, effectively freeing themselves.🏃🏾
  • African American Soldiers: Led to the recruitment of African Americans into the Union Army, like the famous 54th Massachusetts Regiment. ✊🏾
• International Relations: The Proclamation made it harder for the Confederacy to gain foreign support, as it highlighted their commitment to slavery. 🌍

#Restoring the Nation

• Gettysburg Address (November 19, 1863):

* Emphasized the importance of preserving the Union and the idea of “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” 🗣️ * **Second Inaugural Address (March 4, 1865):** * **Conciliatory Tone:** Focused on forgiveness and reconciliation. 🙏 * **Emphasis on Healing:** Called for national unity and healing, famously stating, "With malice toward none, with charity for all... to bind up the nation's wounds..." 💖

#Final Exam Focus

• High-Priority Topics:
  • Lincoln's evolving war aims
  • The impact of the Emancipation Proclamation
  • The role of the border states
  • Opposition to the war
  • Reconstruction plans and their successes/failures
• Common Question Types:
  • Analyzing primary source documents (speeches, letters, etc.)
  • Comparing and contrasting different viewpoints (North vs. South, Lincoln vs. Copperheads)
  • Understanding the long-term consequences of the Civil War
• Last-Minute Tips:
  • Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. If you're stuck, move on and come back later.
  • Common Pitfalls: Avoid oversimplifying complex issues. Show you understand the nuances and different perspectives.
  • FRQ Strategy: Plan your essay before you start writing. Make sure you address all parts of the question and provide specific evidence. Use the point-by-point breakdown below to understand how to maximize your points. 📝

#Practice Questions

Practice Question

#Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following best describes Abraham Lincoln’s initial goal at the beginning of the Civil War? (A) To abolish slavery throughout the United States (B) To preserve the Union (C) To punish the Southern states for seceding (D) To expand the United States into new territories

2. The Emancipation Proclamation had which of the following effects? (A) It immediately freed all slaves in the United States. (B) It freed slaves in areas controlled by the Confederacy. (C) It freed slaves in the border states. (D) It had no effect on the institution of slavery.

3. The Copperheads were best known for: (A) their support of the Union war effort. (B) their opposition to the draft and the war. (C) their advocacy for the immediate abolition of slavery. (D) their military leadership in the Union Army.

#Free Response Question

Analyze the ways in which the Civil War transformed both the goals of the Union and the lives of African Americans.

Point Breakdown:

• Thesis (1 point): A clear, historically defensible thesis that addresses the prompt. For example: "The Civil War initially aimed to preserve the Union, but evolved to include emancipation, fundamentally altering the lives of African Americans both during and after the conflict."
• Argument Development (2 points):
  • Union Goals (1 point): Evidence of the initial goal of preserving the Union and how it shifted to include emancipation. Examples: Lincoln's early statements, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the shift in war rhetoric.
  • African Americans (1 point): Evidence of how the war transformed the lives of African Americans. Examples: self-emancipation, service in the Union Army, and the changing legal status of slavery.
• Evidence (2 points): Specific historical evidence to support your claims. Examples:
  • Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address
  • The Emancipation Proclamation
  • The 54th Massachusetts Regiment
  • The 13th Amendment
• Analysis (2 points): Explanation of how the evidence supports the argument. Examples:
  • Explaining how the Emancipation Proclamation was a military strategy that also changed the moral dimension of the war.
  • Analyzing how the participation of African Americans in the Union Army challenged racial hierarchies.
• Synthesis (1 point): Connecting the Civil War to other historical periods or themes. For example:
  • Linking the Civil War to the Reconstruction Era and the ongoing struggle for civil rights.
  • Connecting the war to the broader theme of federalism and states' rights.

#Short Answer Question

Explain the significance of the border states during the Civil War. How did Lincoln manage to keep them in the Union?

You've got this! Take a deep breath, review these points, and go into that exam with confidence. You're ready. 💪