Civil War Vocabulary

Front

Term referring to the United States during the 1800’s. Also another word for the North in the Civil War.

Back

Union

Front

Leaving a group formally. This refers to the Southern states who left the Union to form the Confederate States of America.

Back

Secession

Front

Set of rules in the South that claimed slaves were property, not citizens.

Back

Slave Codes

Front

Someone who opposed and fought against slavery. Famous abolitionists include Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, John Brown, and Harriet Beecher Stowe.

Back

Abolitionist

Front

Also called “the draft” - requires all healthy men over the age of 18 to serve in the military.

Back

Conscription

Front

The closing of a port by positioning ships to keep people and supplies from moving in or out.

Back

Blockade

Front

States that seceded from the United States and formed a new government under the leadership of Jefferson Davis.

Back

Confederate States of America

Front

The act of surrounding and attacking a fortified area over a period of time.

Back

Siege

Front

Confederate soldier, so called because of opposition to the established government.

Back

Rebels

Front

Union soldier.

Back

Yankee