History of the American Civil War
Written by Regina Munch History Expert
Last updated · 6 min play time
Today we are going to go back in time with a look at the Civil War while quizzing you on the details along the way. Are you ready?
The War to Preserve the Union. The War of the Rebellion. The Civil War. Whatever name you choose to call it, the American Civil War changed the course of history. When brother took up arms against brother, everybody bled. For four years, the United States was rife with bloody turmoil as ideals squared off against tradition. America was a nation struggling to define itself.
Quiz written by
Regina MunchAmerican Civil War Quiz Questions
25 Questions · 451.6K Plays · 4 Comments
Question 1
This legendary soldier accepted command of the entire Confederate Army. Who was he?
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APorter Alexander
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BJubal Early
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CRobert E. Lee
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DJohn Bell
Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.
Question 2
When the Southern States seceded from Union what did they call themselves?
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AStates of Southern Pride
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BThe Great States
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CConfederate States of America
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DDixieland
Confederate States of America
They were known as the Confederate States of America, which included 11 states.
Question 3
William Tecumseh Sherman had a 'Hard War' strategy. What rules did he follow?
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AKilling Civilians
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BSlaughtering Livestock
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CLooting Towns
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DAll of the Above
All of the Above
Sherman's strategy, a brand of "total war," is highly controversial.
Question 4
Which of the following battles was the bloodiest battle in the entirety of the Civil War?
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ABattle of Chickamauga
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BBattle of Chancellorsville
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CBattle of Stones River
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DThe Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg was fought July 1-3, 1863 and resulted in Union victory. About 50,000 soldiers were killed.
Question 5
During Reconstruction there was a special, derogatory, term for Northerners who moved to the South. What was it?
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ACarpetbaggers
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BGraybacks
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CJohnny Rebs
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DSunday Soldiers
Carpetbaggers
Carpetbaggers were northerners who came to the south during Reconstruction for their own benefit, either to make money during the transition or to be elected to political office.
Question 6
This man was the President of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.
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ABraxton Bragg
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BJames Longstreet
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CGeorge Pickett
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DJefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis was the president of the Confederacy. Before the war, he was a Demoncratic representative from Mississippi.
Question 7
This fort was bombarded by Southern Troops when President Lincoln refused to surrender the territory, thus kick-starting the Civil War.
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AFort Wagner
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BFort Sumter
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CFort Donelson
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DFort Henry
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter in South Carolina was the site of the first battle of the Civil War, also in the first state that seceded.
Question 8
Who was President of the United States when the Civil War began?
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AJames Garfield
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BAbraham Lincoln
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CUlysses S. Grant
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DChester Alan Arthur
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President, and was commander in chief of the Union forces.
Question 9
Where did the Confederacy place their Capital City during the Civil War?
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AAtlanta, GA.
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BRichmond, VA.
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CTallahassee, FL.
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DSioux Falls, SD.
Richmond, VA.
The Confederate capital was Richmond, V.A. starting in May 1861.
Question 10
The period after the Civil War ended was known as __________.
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ARejuvenation
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BRebuilding
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CReferendum
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DReconstruction
Reconstruction
Reconstruction was the period after the Civil War in which the Union occupied the South to oversee its transition out of slavery. The Union soldiers left in 1877.
Question 11
During the War, this General led the Union to so many victories that he was nicknamed, "The Butcher".
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AAbner Doubleday
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BUlysses S. Grant
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CGeorge Custer
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DRobert Anderson
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was known as the "butcher" because of his strategy of attrition.
Question 12
While battles were fought all across the country, ___________ was home to the most fighting.
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AVirginia
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BGeorgia
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CSouth Carolina
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DPennsylvania
Virginia
Fighting was concentrated in northern Virginia, and some of Tennessee.
Question 13
General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at the _______________.
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AShiloh Battlefield
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BManassas National Battlefield
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CFort Sumter
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DAppomattox Courthouse
Appomattox Courthouse
The Civil War ended with the surrender of Robert E. Lee at Appomatox Courthouse on April 9, 1865. In the following months, fringe divisons of the Southern army would surrender as well.
Question 14
________ was an abolitionist who spearheaded the raid on Harper's Ferry, leading up to the Civil War.
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AHarriet Tubman
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BJohn Brown
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CGerrit Smith
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DFrederick Douglass
John Brown
On October 16, 1859, John Brown attacked the arsenal at Harper's Ferry.
Question 15
Robert E. Lee famously named his horse, ____________.
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AMarengo
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BBucephalus
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CTraveller
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DCincinnati
Traveller
Lee was permitted to keep Traveller after his surrender in a gesture of goodwill.
Question 16
The Civil War was a bloody scar across the nation until its culmination in ___________.
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A1865
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B1867
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C1864
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D1866
1865
The Civil War ended with the surrender of Robert E. Lee at Appomatox Courthouse on April 9, 1865. In the following months, fringe divisons of the Southern army would surrender as well.
Question 17
Let's go back to Pennsylvania. How long did the Battle of Gettysburg last?
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A3 Days
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B5 Days
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C1 Day
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D7 Days
3 Days
The bloodiest battle of the Civil War, the Battle of Gettysburg took place July 1-3, 1863.
Question 18
Which state was the first to secede from the Union?
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ASouth Carolina
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BVirginia
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CFlorida
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DTennessee
South Carolina
South Carolina was the first to secede on December 20, 1860, and was joined by 10 more in the following months.
Question 19
Galusha Pennypacker was the youngest General in the U.S. Army. How old was he when he was appointed?
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A17
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B15
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C14
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D20
20
Galusha Pennypacker was born in Valley Forge, PA, and is still the youngest general in US history.
Question 20
Finally, what is the estimated death toll for men who died while fighting in the Civil war?
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A500,000
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B620,000
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C1,000,000
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D750,000
620,000
Of roughly 31 million Americans, 2% died, or 620,000 people.
Question 21
Throughout the Civil War, General Robert E. Lee would keep this bizarre pet with him at all times.
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ASnake
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BChicken
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CTurtle
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DSpider
Chicken
Robert E. Lee kept a chicken with him, rumored to be because he liked to have the eggs for breakfast.
Question 22
If we took a time machine back to the beginning of the Civil War, what year would we go to?
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A1860
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B1859
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C1861
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D1862
1861
The Civil War officially began on April 12, 1861 when Confederate forces bombarded the Union controlled Fort Sumter in Charleston Bay
Question 23
In 1864 there would be eight Southern soldiers who would try to burn down New York City. What did they call themselves?
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AThe Confederate Army of Manhattan
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BNew York's Finest
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CThe Confederacy of New York
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DNew York's Southern Saviors
The Confederate Army of Manhattan
The Confederate Army of Manhattan got into Union territory through Canada, and set fire to many buildings in New York City on November 25, 1864.
Question 24
The Gettysburg Address is considered one of the greatest speeches of all time. How long did it take Lincoln to deliver it?
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A2 hours
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B20 minutes
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C2 Minutes
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D15 minutes
2 Minutes
The Gettysburg Address, given at the official dedication for a cemetery at the Gettysburg Battlefield, lasted only two minutes.
Question 25
What percentage of the U.S. population would die during the Civil War?
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A2%
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B1%
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C5%
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D7%
2%
Of roughly 31 million Americans, 2% died, or 620,000 people.
Comments (4)
We want to hear your feedback! Share your scores and discuss the quiz, but keep it civil.
Love it; so much fun, plus great learning experience.
@heidianne in what way was it slanted?
you quote the ending of the war as 1865, but i thought the css shenandoah didn't strike it's colours until 1866?
One suspects that Regina Munch was raised in the south or learned her Civil War history from a southern. This quiz was very slanted.