Key Battles of the Civil War

Turning Points of the Civil War

Multiple Choice

Why was the Union successful in the West during the Civil War?

• The Union had effective leadership in the West.

• The Union took a defensive stance in the West.

• The Union had more troops than the Confederacy in the West.

• The Union was fighting in very familiar territory in the West.

Multiple Choice

How did geography affect fighting in the western theater of the Civil War?

• The land was very dry and much of the fighting was in the desert.

• Both sides fought to control higher ground of the region’s mountain ranges.

• Many battles were fought to control rivers that were vital to transportation.

• The capital of the Confederacy was in the western theater, and fighting centered around it.

Multiple Choice

The Battle of Shiloh was a ______

• Confederate victory

• Union victory

• Draw

Multiple Choice

The Union’s capture of New Orleans severely hurt the Confederacy by

• ending hopes of a European alliance.

• hindering shipping and transportation.

• weakening General Lee’s troops.

• destroying the Confederate Army.

Multiple Choice

How did Vicksburg cope with the siege?

• Many people were able to escape via the Mississippi River.

• Vicksburg successfully defended themselves against the siege.

• Living conditions were harsh and the people had little food.

• The people were well equipped to handle the siege.

Multiple Choice

Why were New Orleans and Vicksburg important to the Confederacy and the Union?

• They were both state capitals.

• They were both key to controlling the Mississippi River.

• Whoever controlled them could split the Union in half.

Multiple Choice

By capturing the Mississippi, the Union would

• prevent the Confederacy from gaining foreign allies.

• ensure a Union victory in the war.

• split the Confederacy in half.

Multiple Choice

At the start of the Battle of Gettysburg, the Union Army

• drove the Confederates out of Pennsylvania.

• was forced into a defensive position.

• broke through the Confederate army’s line.

• fought the Confederate Army to a stand-off.

Multiple Choice

The Battle of Gettysburg was unusual compared to other battles in the East because

• the Confederacy won.

• Lee suffered a major defeat.

• Lee was defending Confederate territory

• Lee was invading the Union.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following events happened as a result of the Battle of Gettysburg?

• The Confederacy quickly surrendered to the Union.

• European nations chose to ally with the Confederacy.

• The tide of the Civil War turned in favor of the Union.

• The morale of the Confederacy was increased.

Multiple Choice

How might a victory at Gettysburg have benefited the Confederacy?

• It might have convinced European nations to align with the South.

• It might have helped the South gain control of the Mississippi River.

• It might have made the West more accessible to the Confederacy.

• It might have helped the South maintain vital ports and shipping routes.

Multiple Choice

Why was the Battle of Gettysburg a turning point in the Civil War?

• The battle resulted in the final victory for the Union.

• The battle convinced Europe to become a Union ally.

• The battle weakened Lee and stopped his invasion.

• The battle was the first major loss by the Confederacy.

Multiple Choice

How did the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg affect morale on both sides?

• It convinced the South that victory was possible and the North that defeat was inevitable.

• It convinced the North that victory was possible and the South that defeat was inevitable.

• It convinced the South that General Lee was a great leader and the North that General Meade was not.

• It convinced the North that General Lee was a great leader and the South that General Meade was not.