AP U.S. History-Meyers
Name_______________________________
Unit 7: The Civil War: 1848-1865
Essential Questions
1. Be able to discuss the various interpretations for the causes of the Civil War.
2. Be familiar with the legal and constitutional issues related to the crisis.
3. Some historians have referred to the 1850’s and its politicians as the “blundering generation”. Do you
agree?
4. In the 1850’s, the conflict within parties was as great as the conflict between parties. Do you agree?
5. Account for the rise of the Republican Party and Lincoln’s rise within that party.
6. What was the significance of the 1860 election?
7. What problems did Lincoln have to overcome as president? Consider politics in the north, foreign policy
issues, constitutional issues and military issues.
8. What kind of president was Abraham Lincoln? How does one account for his success? Does he deserve
his reputation as America’s greatest president? Does he deserve his reputation as the Great
Emancipator?
9. Why did the North win the Civil War? Note major battles and turning points.
10. What roles did African-Americans play during the war?
11. What is the significance of the Civil War in U.S. History?
Chapter Study Guide
Chapter 14
Preston Brooks
Wilmot Proviso
sovereignty
1848 election - Zach Taylor
Compromise of 1850: know the various “pieces” of the law
decline of the Whigs
1852 election - Franklin Pierce
Ostend Manifesto
The Republicans
Bleeding Kansas
John Brown
Bleeding Sumner
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Roger Taney
the Lecompton Constitution
Douglas’ “Freeport Doctrine” John Brown - Harper’s Ferry
Northern/Southern Democrats Constitutional Union Party
“free soil” movement and party popular
Winfield Scott
Kansas-Nebraska Act Stephen A. Douglas
the Know-Nothings
the “sack of Lawrence”
1856 Election -James Buchanon
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
William Seward
1860 Election - Lincoln
Chapter 15
South Carolina’s secession
Confederate States of America Crittenden compromise plan
Fort Sumter
“total war”
Southern advantages
“offensive defense”
“anaconda policy”
“On to Richmond”
conscription law
northern economic advantages northern political advantages
First battle of Bull Run
Stonewall Jackson
George McClellan
U.S. Grant
Battle of Shiloh
David Farragut
Monitor vs. Merrimack
Penisular campaign
Robert E.Lee
Antietam
Alabama and Trent incidents British foreign policy
Emancipation Proclamation
African Americans in the war Enrollment Act / antidraft riots
Clement Vallandigham
Copperheads
Battle of Chancellorsville
Battle of Vicksburg
Battle of Gettysburg
Grant’s victories in Tennesee
Wm. T. Sherman
Grant vs. Lee in Virginia
Petersburg siege
Election of 1864
Sherman’s March to the Sea Appomattox Courthouse
John Wilkes Booth
Lincoln assassination
women in wartime service
impact of war on labor, politics, constitutional interpretations, federal power, American thought
Syllabus
Wednesday, 11-16
Unit 6 Exam
Text 411-417
Thursday, 11-17
Introduction to the Civil War,
Phase 1: Compromise of 1850
Text 417-425
Document: Douglas, Bleeding Kansas
and Bleeding Sumner
Friday, 11-18
Phase 2: Kansas-Nebraska Act and
“Bleeding Kansas”
Text 425-430 ALL PAGES
Document: Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Monday, 11-21
Phase 3: The Dred Scott Decision
Text 430-438
Documents: Compare S. Carolina’s
Declaration of Causes of Secession
with Lincoln’s First Inaugural. Be
ready to discuss the arguments
outlined in each.
Tuesday, 11-22
Phase 4: The Election of Lincoln
Text 441-448
Wednesday, 11-23
The Outbreak of War, Advantages,
Strategy
Text 455-460
Monday, 11-28
1861-1862
Text 460-465
Document: The Gettysburg Address
Tuesday, 11-29
1863
Text 465-470
Document: Lincoln’s Second Inaugural
Wednesday, 11-30
1864-1865
Handout: Life of a Soldier
Thursday, 12-1
Civil War Topicals
Webquest: Presidential Leadership
and Evaluating Presidents
Friday, 12-2
Evaluating Lincoln
Study!
Monday, 12-3
Exam
MC and Essay
Eric Foner Reading, 67-80