KEY TERMS Key Terms and People to Know for the Regents Exam
The Civil War
The Civil War (1860-1865) was fought between the Union (the North) and the Confederacy (the South) over the issues of states’ rights and slavery (but mostly slavery).
Lincoln Suspends Habeas Corpus
The right of habeas corpus declares that no person should be held in custody unless charged with a crime. Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpus demonstrates that the government often limits civil liberties during times of war.
Northern Advantages
The North had more people, more resources, more industrial power, and better transportation (railroads) and communication (telegraph) networks. The North’s industrial power increased during the war due to demand for war materials.
Emancipation Proclamation
A major purpose of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which stated that all slaves in the Confederate states (the South) were free, was to give the North a moral cause to fight for to help them win the Civil War.
Civil War Strengthens Federal Power
A major result of the Civil War was that the Federal Government's power over the states was strengthened. Additionally, presidential powers were expanded (as indicated by Lincoln’s suspension of Habeas Corpus).