civil war critical thinking questions

The Union Triumphant

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• 2 - THE RELATIONSHIP WITH EUROPE
• 3 - AFRICAN AMERICAN SOLDIERS
• 4 - THE CAMPAIGNS OF 1864 AND 1865
• 5 - THE ELECTION OF 1864
• 6 - THE WAR ENDS
• 7 - Section Summary
• 8 - Review Questions
• 9 - Critical Thinking Questions
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Critical Thinking Questions

Could the differences between the North and South have been worked out in late 1860 and 1861? Could war have been avoided? Provide evidence to support your answer.

Why did the North prevail in the Civil War? What might have turned the tide of the war against the North?

If you were in charge of the Confederate war effort, what strategy or strategies would you have pursued? Conversely, if you had to devise the Union strategy, what would you propose? How does your answer depend on your knowledge of how the war actually played out?

What do you believe to be the enduring qualities of the Gettysburg Address? Why has this two-minute speech so endured?

What role did women and African Americans play in the war?

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Printable worksheets can be valuable tools for students learning about the American Civil War. They provide structured activities and exercises that enhance comprehension, critical thinking, and retention of historical information. Here are some ways in which our free printable worksheets can benefit students studying the Civil War. : Our worksheets help reinforce key concepts, facts, and events related to the Civil War. They provide opportunities for students to review and practice what they've learned in class or through readings. : These free printable worksheets often include questions or prompts that assess students' understanding of the material. They can help educators gauge whether students have grasped important historical details. : Many of our free Civil War worksheets include critical thinking exercises, such as analyzing primary sources, evaluating the significance of events, or making connections between cause and effect. These activities encourage students to think deeply about historical contexts and consequences. : Our Civil War worksheets feature excerpts from primary source documents, such as letters, diaries, speeches, and photographs from the Civil War era. Analyzing these sources allows students to gain insights into the perspectives of people living during that time. : These printable Civil War worksheets often incorporate maps, which can help students understand the geographic aspects of the conflict. They may be asked to identify important battlefields, regions, or military strategies on maps. : Timelines are commonly used in our Civil War worksheets to help students sequence and visualize the chronological order of events. This aids in understanding the progression of the war. : Some worksheets include research-based assignments, such as asking students to investigate specific Civil War topics or figures in more depth. These projects promote independent research skills. : Numerous worksheets include writing prompts that encourage students to express their thoughts and ideas about Civil War-related topics. This helps develop writing skills and fosters reflection. : Our free U.S. Civil War worksheets can serve as discussion starters in the classroom. Teachers can use completed worksheets as a basis for group discussions or debates about the Civil War and its impact. : Educators can use our worksheets as formative or summative assessments to evaluate students' knowledge and progress. Worksheets with clear objectives help align assessment with learning goals. : Our free printable United States Civil War worksheets can be adapted to meet the needs of diverse learners. Educators can modify or provide alternative worksheets for students with varying levels of proficiency. : These American Civil War printables can be sent home as homework assignments, allowing students to continue their learning beyond the classroom. They also provide a resource for parents to support their children's education. : Worksheets often incorporate visuals, such as images, charts, and diagrams, which can aid visual learners in understanding historical concepts and data. : Our well-designed worksheets can engage students by presenting information in a structured and interactive format. This can make learning about the Civil War more enjoyable and accessible. Incorporating a variety of worksheets into the study of the American Civil War can enhance the overall learning experience. They offer students the opportunity to engage with historical content in different ways, promoting a deeper understanding of this critical period in American history.

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Legislative Branch

Reviewing the Civil War and Reconstruction

In this lesson students will analyze primary sources to review major issues related to the Civil War, Reconstruction, and Civil Rights.

Students develop critical thinking skills by analyzing primary sources representing major issues of the Civil War and Reconstruction Era.

Guiding Question

How did the Civil War and Reconstruction change the Constitution and civil rights?

4 Graphic Organizers 12 Primary Source Sheets Reflection Question Worksheet

Recommended Grade Levels

U.S. History

Causes of the Civil War, Turning points in the Civil War, Reconstruction, Civil Rights

Time Required

Two forty-five minute class periods.

Learning Activities

Preparing the Materials

• Print for each student copies of the Graphic Organizers (1 - 4) and the Reflection Questions.
• Establish four stations, one for each page of the Graphic Organizers.
• Make one additional copy of each Graphic Organizer for each station.
• Make one copy of the Primary Source Sheets and cut along the dotted lines of each sheet. Keep each primary source, caption, and description together with a paperclip.
• Place a copy of each Graphic Organizer and the corresponding cut-out Primary Source Sheets at each station. Mix up the primary sources, captions, and descriptions at the station so that students must match the ideas together.  

Classroom Activity

• Divide the students into four groups.
• Carousel the groups through the four stations.
• Match each primary source to the reading and summarize the text on their individual Graphic Organizer.
• Match the appropriate caption to the primary source (the reading will help provide scaffolded support) and write the caption on their individual Graphic Organizer.
• Explain how the primary source matches the caption on their individual Graphic Organizer.

Reflection Activity

• When the students have completed their work at all four stations, instruct students to independently complete the Reflection Questions Worksheet and prepare to share their responses with the full class.
• Have a whole group discussion of the Reflection Questions.

Additional Resources

Was Reconstruction a Revolution?  - Students will examine several historical congressional records from the Reconstruction period to assess whether the documents show evidence that the Reconstruction period of American history should or should not be viewed as a revolution.

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9 Questions About the American Civil War Answered

The American Civil War was fought from 1861 to 1865 between the United States and 11 Southern states that seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America. The questions and answers in this list are taken from the Top Questions sections of the articles on the American Civil War , John Brown , Abraham Lincoln , Jefferson Davis , Ulysses S. Grant , and the Battle of Gettysburg .

What caused the American Civil War?

The American Civil War was the culmination of the struggle between the advocates and opponents of slavery that dated from the founding of the United States. This sectional conflict between Northern states and slaveholding Southern states had been tempered by a series of political compromises, but by the late 1850s the issue of the extension of slavery to the western states had reached a boiling point. The election of Abraham Lincoln , a member of the antislavery Republican Party , as president in 1860 precipitated the secession of 11 Southern states, leading to a civil war.

Why is John Brown significant?

Militant American abolitionist John Brown led a raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry , Virginia (now in West Virginia), in 1859 that he hoped would spark a slave rebellion . It made him a martyr to the antislavery cause and was instrumental in heightening sectional animosities that led to the American Civil War (1861–65).

What were Abraham Lincoln’s chief goals in the American Civil War?

Abraham Lincoln ’s chief goal in the American Civil War was to preserve the Union. At the outset of the war, he would have done so at any cost, including by allowing slavery to continue. But abolishing slavery would become a nonnegotiable objective for him as the war progressed because of his own long-expressed abhorrence for the practice and because of the growing antislavery sentiment among his fellow Northerners. His intransigence on the subject scuttled possibilities of a peace conference between the Union and the Confederacy in 1864. By winning the war, he achieved both these objectives—reunion and abolition.

What did Jefferson Davis do?

As president of the Confederate States of America throughout its existence during the American Civil War (1861–65), Jefferson Davis presided over the South’s creation of its own armed forces and acquisition of weapons. Davis chose Robert E. Lee as commander of the Army of Northern Virginia in June 1862.

How did Ulysses S. Grant affect the outcome of the American Civil War?

Ulysses S. Grant achieved two major Union victories early in the war. He later became commander of all Union forces after seizing Vicksburg , Mississippi. Grant ordered Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman to take Atlanta in the South while he personally marched on the Confederate army in Virginia. Grant’s strategy defeated the Confederacy by 1865.

What was the significance of the Battle of Gettysburg?

The Battle of Gettysburg was one of the turning points of the American Civil War. The South lost many of its men, including generals and colonels, and Gen. Robert E. Lee lost all hope of invading the North. He fought the rest of the war on the defensive.

Who won the American Civil War?

The Union won the American Civil War. The war effectively ended in April 1865 when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his troops to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia. The final surrender of Confederate troops on the western periphery came in Galveston, Texas, on June 2.

How many people died during the Civil War?

It is estimated that from 752,000 to 851,000 soldiers died during the American Civil War. This figure represents approximately 2 percent of the American population in 1860. The Battle of Gettysburg , one of the bloodiest engagements during the Civil War, resulted in about 7,000 deaths and 51,000 total casualties.

Why are Confederate symbols controversial?

The modern usage of Confederate symbols, especially the Confederate Battle Flag and statues of Confederate leaders, is considered controversial because many associate such symbols with racism , slavery , and white supremacy . The flag was revived as a popular symbol in the 1940s and ’50s by the Dixiecrat Democratic splinter group and others who opposed the American civil rights movement .

Have Fun With History

25 Questions About the Civil War

Welcome to our lesson on the American Civil War, one of the most pivotal and consequential events in American history.

This period of conflict, which lasted from 1861 to 1865, fundamentally reshaped the nation, tested its core principles, and resulted in profound changes in the years that followed.

Today, we will embark on a journey to understand the causes, key figures, battles, and consequences of this historic conflict. To guide our exploration, we’ve prepared a series of multiple-choice questions that will serve as the foundation for our discussion.

These questions will help us delve into the complexities of the Civil War, from its origins to its aftermath. Let’s begin our exploration by tackling these questions one by one, gaining a deeper insight into this transformative chapter in American history.

American Civil War Questions

1. when did the american civil war begin, 2. which event triggered the outbreak of the civil war.

• a) The Missouri Compromise
• b) The Emancipation Proclamation
• c) The Battle of Fort Sumter
• d) The Dred Scott Decision

3. Who was the President of the Confederate States of America?

• a) Abraham Lincoln
• b) Thomas Jefferson
• c) Robert E. Lee
• d) Jefferson Davis

4. What was the main issue that divided the North and the South during the Civil War?

• b) Taxation
• c) States’ rights
• d) Trade tariffs

5. Which side had a greater population and industrial advantage during the Civil War?

• a) The North
• b) The South
• c) Both sides were equally matched
• d) It varied throughout the war

6. Which famous Civil War battle is often considered the turning point of the conflict?

• a) Battle of Bull Run
• b) Battle of Gettysburg
• c) Battle of Antietam
• d) Battle of Vicksburg

7. Who was the commanding general of the Confederate Army?

• a) Ulysses S. Grant
• b) Robert E. Lee
• c) Stonewall Jackson
• d) William Tecumseh Sherman

8. Which battle marked the first large-scale clash between Union and Confederate forces?

• a) Battle of Shiloh
• b) Battle of Chickamauga
• c) Battle of Chancellorsville
• d) Battle of Fredericksburg

9. What was the main objective of the Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Lincoln?

• a) To abolish slavery in the United States
• b) To free all enslaved people in the South
• c) To encourage foreign countries to support the Union
• d) To end the war immediately

10. Which state was the first to secede from the Union in 1860?

• a) Virginia
• b) South Carolina

11. What was the significance of the Battle of Appomattox Court House?

• a) It was where General Lee surrendered to General Grant, effectively ending the Civil War.
• b) It was the first major battle of the Civil War.
• c) It was where President Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address.
• d) It was the site of the Confederate capital during the war.

12. Which side had more significant naval power during the Civil War?

• c) Both sides had equal naval power
• d) Neither side had a significant naval presence

13. What was the nickname given to the Union’s strategy of dividing the Confederacy by controlling the Mississippi River?

• a) The Anaconda Plan
• b) The Sherman Plan
• c) The Lee Strategy
• d) The Gettysburg Tactic

14. Who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln?

• a) John Wilkes Booth
• b) Lee Harvey Oswald
• c) Charles Guiteau
• d) John Hinckley Jr

15. What was the significance of the Battle of Bull Run (First Battle of Manassas)?

• a) It was the first major battle of the Civil War.
• b) It was where General Lee surrendered to General Grant.
• c) It was the battle that led to the Emancipation Proclamation.
• d) It was the final battle of the Civil War.

16. What was the name of the famous speech delivered by President Lincoln at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg?

• a) The Declaration of Independence
• b) The Gettysburg Address
• c) The Emancipation Proclamation
• d) The Lincoln Memorial Speech

17. Who was the Union general known for his “March to the Sea” and devastating campaigns in Georgia and the Carolinas?

• a) Robert E. Lee
• b) Stonewall Jackson
• c) Ulysses S. Grant

18. What was the main cause of death for soldiers during the Civil War?

• b) Battle wounds
• c) Starvation
• d) Poisoning

19. Which Confederate general was known for his audacious raids and “Stonewall” nickname?

• a) Jefferson Davis
• d) P.G.T. Beauregard

20. What was the significance of the Battle of Antietam?

• a) It was the bloodiest single day of the Civil War.
• b) It was the first battle of the Civil War.
• c) It was where General Lee surrendered to General Grant.
• d) It marked the beginning of the Reconstruction era.

21. What was the name of the ironclad warship used by the Confederacy during the Civil War?

• a) USS Monitor
• b) USS Merrimack
• c) USS Alabama
• d) USS Constitution

22. Who was the Union general who led the capture of Vicksburg, Mississippi, a major Confederate stronghold?

• b) Ulysses S. Grant

23. Which Confederate general famously led a daring raid deep into Union territory in 1863, which ended in defeat at the Battle of Gettysburg?

• a) P.G.T. Beauregard
• d) Jubal Early

24. What was the result of the Civil War in terms of slavery?

• a) Slavery was immediately abolished throughout the United States.
• b) Slavery continued in the South until 1900.
• c) Slavery was abolished in the Confederacy but remained legal in the Union.
• d) Slavery was abolished in the Confederate states and eventually throughout the United States with the 13th Amendment.

25. Which state was the last to secede from the Union, doing so in 1865?

• b) Mississippi
• d) Tennessee

Critical Thinking Questions

20. What were some of the social and cultural beliefs that became widespread during the Age of Jackson? What lay behind these beliefs, and do you observe any of them in American culture today?

21. Were the political changes of the early nineteenth century positive or negative? Explain your opinion.

22. If you were defending the Cherokee and other native nations before the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1830s, what arguments would you make? If you were supporting Native American removal, what arguments would you make?

23. How did depictions of Native Americans in popular culture help to sway popular opinion? Does modern popular culture continue to wield this kind of power over us? Why or why not?

24. Does Alexis de Tocqueville’s argument about the tyranny of the majority reflect American democracy today? Provide examples to support your answer.

American History to 1865 Copyright © 2022 by LOUIS: The Louisiana Library Network is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Critical Thinking Questions

Compare and contrast the steamboats of the antebellum years with technologies today. In your estimation, what modern technology compares to steamboats in its transformative power?

Does the history of the cotton kingdom support or undermine the Jeffersonian vision of White farmers on self-sufficient farms? Explain your answer.

Based on your reading of William J. Anderson’s and John Brown’s accounts, what types of traumas did enslaved people experience? How were the experiences of Black women and men similar and different?

What strategies did enslaved people employ to resist, revolt, and sustain their own independent communities and cultures? How did enslaved individuals use White southerners’ own philosophies—paternalism and Christianity, for example—to their advantage in these efforts?

What are the major arguments put forward by proslavery advocates? How would you argue against their statements?

Consider filibustering from the point of view of the Cuban or Nicaraguan people. If you lived in Cuba or Nicaragua, would you support filibustering? Why or why not?

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• Authors: P. Scott Corbett, Volker Janssen, John M. Lund, Todd Pfannestiel, Sylvie Waskiewicz, Paul Vickery
• Publisher/website: OpenStax
• Book title: U.S. History
• Publication date: Dec 30, 2014
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Book URL: https://openstax.org/books/us-history/pages/1-introduction
• Section URL: https://openstax.org/books/us-history/pages/12-critical-thinking-questions

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National Museum of Civil War Medicine

Home » Explore » Digital Exhibits » What They Wore » Discussion Questions

Additional Resources

Get students thinking deeply about civil war uniforms, discussion questions.

• Compare Union and Confederate uniforms. What was similar? What was different? What do you think caused the differences?
• Look at these photographs of actual Civil War soldiers. How are these real soldiers’ outfits different than our models? Why do you think they differ?
• How do you think what they wore influenced soldiers’ health?
• Soldiers receive very little clothing from the military, and regularly write home to ask for more, or purchase additional clothing themselves. Why do you think the military provided soldiers with so little clothing?

Dig Further

• The Smithsonian interviews a scholar who studies Civil War material culture
• Explore our digital exhibit on what soldiers carried

Quick Links

• National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, MD
• Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office Museum in Washington, DC
• Pry House Field Hospital Museum on Antietam National Battlefield
• Primary Sources
• Artifacts Revealed
• Health Care Heroes
• Videos and Digital Exhibits
• Museum Publications
• Bring the Museum to You
• Ask A Question
• Walking Tours
• 2024 Conference on Civil War Medicine at Antietam on May 3-5
• Letterman Award
• Become a Member
• 2023 Annual Appeal

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Chapter 7: Creating Republican Governments, 1776–1790

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