Terms to Know:

Episode 5: CIVIL WAR

Before or after watching this episode,
Introduction
encourage students to define and
review the terms below. Students
America reached a crossroads as the Civil War intensified. Strict
may also want to make their own
discipline and advances such as the minie ball bullet have welded
lists of new vocabulary words and
General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate army into a formidable force.
identification terms as they watch.
Lee’s victory at the Second Battle of Bull Run in August of 1862
leads him to within 20 miles of Washington and President Abraham
Cavalier Lincoln realizes that the Union could lose the war.
Chloroform
De facto But the tide turns during a series of pivotal events that advance the
Emancipation Union forces. Following the battle of Antietam, the bloodiest ever on
Invincibility American soil, Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863,
Minie ball freeing slaves forever; former slaves join the Union army in droves.
Munitions With the help of the telegraph and President Lincoln’s unwavering
Ploughshares attention to the tactics of battle, the industrial capacity of the North
Pragmatist is harnessed.
Telegraph

The Battle at Gettysburg and Sherman’s March to the Sea are among
key turning points leading to Union victory. The industrial might
which sees the Union prevail now leaves America poised to expand
its reach across North America and take the stage as a world power.
America The Story of Us is useful for American
History, Social Studies, and Media courses. It is
appropriate for 7th grade students and above,
and is an excellent resource for professional
development.
Discussion Questions:
1. H
 ow did the invention of the minie ball bullet shape the Civil War? What were
some other important inventions that affected the course of the war?

2. Who was Clara Barton, and why was she significant?

3. How did the telegraph help the Union side achieve victory in the Civil War?

4. W
 hen was the Emancipation Proclamation signed, and how did it shape
the Civil War?

5. W
 hat were three outcomes of the Battle of Gettysburg? Why is Gettysburg
still remembered as a turning point in the Civil War?

6. H
 ow many casualties were there in the Civil War? How do these numbers
compare with other American wars?

America The STory of Us Episode 5: Civil War 2

 Primary Source:
The following letter was written to President
Abraham Lincoln by James Henry Gooding, a black
corporal who had served in the 54th Massachusetts,

©2010 A&E Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved. 01601.

the famed African American Civil War regiment.

d Regt
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en c y
Your E x c el an humble
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Your essing you. felt by mys
ke m yself, in addr e ge nu ine interest d of
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What else was going on during this time period?
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in th Grievan at if we wo
Explore the sites below to learn more about the
ur Common rmed us, th and pay
the Nation o would come
era of U.S. history covered in this episode.
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Places to Visit:
w il m, o u r
the Nation, en t, o ur Patriotis re to ai d Our Count
We are c o nt d m o y
ergy more an evident apath
exert our en
Interested in what you saw in this episode?
p et u s , to in D ev o ti o n, spite the u nt ry s p urned
ur Co
Visiting historic sites is a great way for teachers,
im ev er flagged, o u gh , o
ea rt s th
that our h t We feel as
students, and families to learn more about the

la ye d in o u r behalf, bu ve her. past. Explore these historic sites, or look for

dis p ser
are sworn to
local historic sites in your town or city to visit.
n.
us, now we th is a m o m ents attentio
Please gi ve Gettysburg National Military Park
oding
www.nps.gov/gett/index.htm
rp o ra l J am es Henry Go
C o
Mass. Regt
Co. C. 54th
Clara Barton National Visitor Site
nd S.C.
(Maryland)
Morris Isla www.nps.gov/clba/index.htm

Vicksburg National Military Park

www.nps.gov/vick/index.htm
Discussion Questions: Antietam National Battlefield Park
www.nps.gov/anti/index.htm
1. W
 hat is the main purpose of Gooding’s letter to Lincoln? Why
was he upset?

2. D
 o you think it was a brave decision for Gooding to write to
Lincoln? What do you think the results of his letter might have
been?

America The STory of Us Episode 5: Civil War 3