Civil War Unit Vocabulary (Textbook – Unit 4 Chapter 12) Vocabulary Word Book Definition Writ of Habeas Corpus a law that allowed prisoners to petition to a judge if they believed they had been arrested unlawfully Border States at the time of the Civil War, a state that bordered both Union and Confederate states, namely Maryland, Kentucky, Delaware, Missouri, and West Virginia Offensive War a war fought mostly on the enemy's land Defensive War a war to protect one’s own land, on familiar ground, from outside attackers Anaconda Plan a military strategy during the Civil War in which the North planned to set up a blockade around the southern coast to ruin the South’s economy and secure ports on the Mississippi River; much as a huge snake, like an anaconda, crushes its prey Promissory Note a written agreement to pay a person or business back by a specified date Greenbacks paper currency issued by the Union, replacing the notes of individual banks Calvary army troops who fight on horseback a unit of troops mounted on horseback Infantry Foot soldiers a branch of an army composed of soldiers trained to fight on foot. Ironclad a ship armored with iron plates to protect it from cannon fire a steam-propelled warship protected by iron or steel armor plates. Fronts a battle line between armies Pontoons a portable, cylindrical float used to build a temporary bridge Contraband an enslaved African American living in the South who was captured by Union troops and treated as enemy property during the U.S. Civil War Captured enemy property Freedmen a formerly enslaved person A person freed from slavery In your own words. A legal rule that means that if you are arrested, you have the right to make the government prove to a judge that your arrest and detainment are justified. The Border states were those states that during the American Civil War did not leave the Union. Included DE, KY, MD, MO, and WV A war that is fought on the opposition's ground, in the Civil War it was the North a war where at least one nation is mainly trying to defend itself from another, in the Civil War it was the South. The Anaconda Plan was called the Anaconda Plan because, like a snake, the Union meant to constrict the South. They would surround the southern borders, keeping out supplies. Then the army would split the South in two, taking control of the Mississippi River. An agreement to pay someone money either on demand or at a specific date. A bill that was first created to finance the civil war and were called as such because their backs were printed in green. The boundary line between opposing armies a bridge that floats on the water and is held up by large hollow containers filled with air Radical Republicans Copperheads Emancipation Proclamation Trench Warfare Conscription a group of politicians that believed freed slaves should have political and social equality with all other citizens a negative nickname for Democrats who opposed the name given to Northerners who emancipation of enslaved people and the draft sympathized with the Confederate cause a presidential proclamation and an 1863 document issued by Abraham Lincoln executive order issued by United States that freed all slaves living in Confederate-held President Abraham Lincoln on January territory during the American Civil War 1, 1863, during the Civil War. a form of fighting in which opposing a type of warfare in which long ditches dug deep sides attack, counterattack, and defend in the ground provide protection for soldiers from systems of trenches dug into the ground the requirement to enlist for service in a the orderly selection of people (usually country’s armed forces men) for required military service an abolitionist member of the U.S. Congress who supported African American rights Draft a mandatory term of military service the choosing of one or more people for military duty Exemption a release from obligations to release from a requirement that others must meet. Confiscate To take by governmental act to take by the power of authority. Scapegoats an individual or group blamed for the mistakes or faults of others one made to bear the blame for the wrongs of others. Lynched to hang someone illegally by mob action When a mob hangs someone illegally Batteries a group of artillery pieces such as cannons two or more big military guns that are controlled as a unit Flanking Maneuver a military movement of troops around the side of an enemy line in the hope of gaining an advantage an attack on the sides or rear of an opposing force Contingent a small group that represents a larger group A small group that represents a larger majority Barrage heavy artillery fire concentrated on a single line or area Total War a war in which all rules and laws of war are ignored, and all resources are used for defeating the enemy Reconstruction the effort to rebuild and reunite the United States following the Civil War Assassination an act of murder committed for political reasons the murder of an important or popular person. Morphine a powerful painkiller a habit-forming drug made from opium and used to relieve pain. Veterans a person who has served in the military a former member of the armed services or military a heavy and continuous firing of weapons during a battle military conflict in which the contenders are willing to make any sacrifice in lives and other resources to obtain a complete victory. The rebuilding of the South after the Civil War
