SAQs for APUSH Topic 5.9 — Government Policies During the Civil War

Six short answer questions designed to help students review for the annual exam and that relate to the most significant rules and regulations that both the North and South put forward between 1861 and 1865.

1. The Civil War started off with both sides introducing a draft (conscription). This draft produced a backlash on the homefront from those opposed to the war or to forcing people to join the war. Evidence in support of this claim is something called the Peace Democrats (aka Copperheads). What was one reason why the Peace Democrats called for an immediate peace settlement with the Confederates? What was one thing that the Peace Democrats encouraged Northern soldiers to do?
2. In April of 1861, Lincoln suspended habeas corpus. What does it mean to suspend habeas corpus? What did Lincoln hope to accomplish with the suspension of habeas corpus?
3. In January of 1863, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves where? In the “rebellious” Southern states? In the Northern States. In the Border States? The Emancipation Proclamation did not apply to slaves living where? The Emancipation Proclamation led to a reframing of the war goals. What was the goal of the North prior to the Emancipation Proclamation? What new goal was added with the Emancipation Proclamation? What effect, if any, did the Emancipation Proclamation have on slaves living on Southern plantations? What effect, if any, did the Emancipation Proclamation have on European powers that had an interest in supporting the Confederacy.
4. In March of 1863, Lincoln declared martial law. What is “martial law?” What was Lincoln trying to achieve by declaring martial law?
5. In November of 1863, Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address. With this address, Lincoln sought to portray the struggle against slavery as the fulfillment of America’s founding democratic ideals. Name a founding democratic ideal that Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address claimed had gone unfulfilled and that the struggle against slavery would fulfill.
6. In January of 1865, (several months before the end of the Civil War) Congress passed the 13th Amendment. What did the 13th Amendment abolish? Why is the 13th Amendment more often referred to as a Reconstruction Era policy than a Civil War policy?

How the Civil War Incited Violence in New York City

The Emancipation Proclamation

The Gettysburg Address

The 13th Amendment

The 13th Amendment Debate