Civil War Enlistment Motivations and Concerns

In July 1861, three months after the Confederate seizure of Fort Sumter, President Lincoln was authorized by Congress to expand the volunteer army to 500,000 men to preserve the Union. With Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina joining the Confederacy, recruitment surged on both sides. Soldiers enlisted for various reasons, including adventure, money, and peer pressure, but also due to unique Civil War motivations. There was a fear that allowing the South to secede would lead to further disintegration of the Union and the collapse of democracy.

What was the primary goal of President Lincoln when he expanded the volunteer army in 1861?

• To conquer new territories

• To preserve the Union

• To establish a new government

• To negotiate with the Confederacy

Which states had joined the Confederacy by the time Lincoln expanded the army?

• California and Nevada

• Virginia and Arkansas

• Ohio and Michigan

• New York and Pennsylvania

How did recruitment stations in the North and South respond to the call for volunteers?

• They were flooded with volunteers

• They remained empty

• They closed down

• They only accepted experienced soldiers

What were some common reasons for soldiers enlisting in the Civil War?

• Desire for peace

• Need for education

• Thirst for adventure

• Interest in politics

Which unique concern was specific to the American Civil War regarding enlistment?

• Fear of foreign invasion

• Desire to explore new lands

• Interest in technological advancements

• Worry about the Union's disintegration

What was a common motivation for soldiers throughout history, also seen in the Civil War?

• Thirst for adventure

• Interest in art

• Desire for political power

• Need for education

What was a major concern if the South was allowed to secede?

• The increase in foreign trade

• The spread of communism

• The collapse of the federal government

• The rise of a new monarchy

What was the fear if the South's secession was successful?

• The Union would become isolated

• The Union would become a monarchy

• A series of state secessions would follow

• The Union would expand rapidly