Antietam Viewing Guide

Do you think the Union and Confederate generals knew how important the battle at Antietam would be in the course of the Civil War? Why or why not?

How many troops were dead or wounded in the battle?

• 26000

• 23000

• 20000

• 30000

According to this documentary, what were Abraham Lincoln's thoughts on the Civil War? What does his famous quote “a house divided cannot stand” mean?

• The Civil War was a result of Lincoln's desire to expand federal power
• The Civil War was a necessary conflict to preserve the Union and end slavery. His quote means that a nation divided against itself cannot endure and must become all one thing or all the other.
• His quote means that a divided nation is stronger than a united one
• Lincoln believed that the Civil War was unnecessary and could have been avoided

What did Lincoln consider in his decision to draft the Emancipation Proclamation ?

• His personal financial gain
• Impact on the Union war effort and public opinion
• The impact on foreign relations
• The effect on agricultural production

The Emancipation Proclamation declared that unless Confederates put down their arms and come back to the Union, then starting January 1, 1863, all slaves in the south would be freed. Lincoln used his power as Commander-in-Chief to confiscate property of southerners – the slaves. Was this an acceptable use of power in your opinion? Why or why not?

• Yes, it was necessary to end the institution of slavery and preserve the Union
• No, it was not within the President's authority to confiscate property in this manner
• The answer to this question is subjective and depends on individual beliefs and values.
• No, it was an abuse of power and violated the rights of the southerners

In the summer of 1862, Lincoln's cabinet did not want him to sign the Emancipation Proclamation while the Union was losing because it looked like a desperate move. They told him to wait until they had a victory. What battle was that victory?

• Battle of Gettysburg
• Battle of Bull Run
• Battle of Antietam
• Battle of Vicksburg

How did the Emancipation Proclamation affect society in the short-term and the Long-term?

• It caused an increase in slavery in the short-term and the long-term
• It had no impact on society in the short-term or the long-term
• It resulted in the immediate re-enslavement of freed slaves in the short-term and the long-term
• It led to the immediate freedom of slaves in the Confederate states and paved the way for the eventual abolition of slavery in the United States.

In 1862, some European leaders considered supporting the Confederates. How did the battle at Antietam change this?

• The battle at Antietam convinced European leaders that the Confederates were likely to win, leading them to support the Confederates even more.
• The battle at Antietam convinced European leaders that the Confederates were not likely to win, leading them to reconsider supporting the Confederates.
• The battle at Antietam had no impact on European leaders' support for the Confederates.
• The battle at Antietam convinced European leaders that the Confederates were not likely to win, leading them to support the Confederates even more.

How did the photographs of the "Dead of Antietam" affect the public's morale and attitude about the war?

• It shocked and horrified the public, bringing the war home.

• It caused the public to become indifferent to the war and its casualties
• It had no impact on the public's morale or attitude about the war

Why is Antietam considered a turning point in American history?

• It was a minor battle with little historical significance
• It resulted in a peaceful resolution between the North and the South
• It had no significant impact on the outcome of the Civil War
• It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history and led to the Emancipation Proclamation.