Question 1.
What caused the Civil War?
Answer
There are differing opinions on the primary cause of the war. It came down to several differences in regions, including the politics of the time, economics, and nationalism. However, most experts agree that President Abraham Lincoln's pledge to stop slavery from happening in the territories helped fuel the fire.
When he made his pledge, seven southern slave states formed their nation, the Confederate States of America, which President Lincoln and many others felt would turn the U.S. from being "united" into a nation of discontent.
Question 2.
What states made up the Confederate States of America?
Answer
There were seven states in the initial Confederate States, though it grew to 11 by the time the Civil War started. The initial seven states were:
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Florida
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- South Carolina
- Texas
Question 3.
How long did the Civil War last?
Answer
Four years. The Civil War took place between 1861 and 1865. During those four years, over 10,500 battles took place. The official start was on April 12, 1861, with the attack on Fort Sumter in South Carolina. The final battle took place in Texas on May 13, 1865.
Question 4.
Where was the Civil War fought?
Answer
The Civil War's many battles stretched across the nation from the New Mexico Territory to Vermont, but it also expanded to other countries. Saint Albans, Vermont, was the northernmost battle site with the Saint Albans Raid occurring on October 19, 1964.
Fort Meyers, Florida, is credited for having the southernmost land battle. That battle took place on February 20, 1865. One of the most surprising locations was the French coast where the CSS Alabama was sunk during the Battle of Cherbourg.
Question 5.
How old was the average soldier?
Answer
Statistics are a little hazy when it comes to the age of Confederate soldiers. An essay available on the U.S. Army Training and Document Command suggests they were between the ages of 17 and 22. However, the average age of soldiers in the Union was between the age of 25 and 26. White farmers made up the majority of the soldiers.
Question 6.
How many lives were lost?
Answer
An actual number has never been firmed up. It's estimated that around 620,000 men were killed. In 2011, historian J. David Hacker examined U.S. Census records and believes that it's more likely that around 752,000 died. Just over half of those deaths were caused by muskets.
Question 7.
Where were the highest death tolls?
Answer
Ten battles account for the highest number of deaths during the Civil War. They're listed from lowest to highest death tolls.
- Vicksburg – 19,233
- Second Manassas – 22,180
- Antietam – 22,717
- Stones River – 23,515
- Shiloh – 23,746
- Chancellorsville – 24,000
- The Wilderness – 29,800
- Spotsylvania – 30,000
- Chickamauga – 34,624
- Gettysburg – 51,000
Question 8.
Who led soldiers in the Civil War?
Answer
Several men and women led soldiers and played an important role in the battles. Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee are two of the biggest names tied to the war as it was Lee who surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, which began the end of the war. The final surrender was in June when General Stand Watie and his Indian Territory troops conceded.
Question 9.
How much did soldiers make during the war?
Answer
Pay scales depended on whether the soldier was Confederate, Union, or Black. While Black soldiers were uncommon during the war, they reportedly earned about $7 per month. Confederate soldiers made about $11 a month, while Union soldiers were the highest paid at $13 per month.
Question 10.
What happened to the Confederacy after the war?
