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The Battle of Antietam - 1862

Page history last edited by Mr. Hengsterman 11 years, 3 months ago

 

APUSH Talking Points 9.2

The Battle of Antietam (September 17, 1862)
10 Days that Unexpectedly Changed America

 

Dunker Church  

 

Historical Context:  On September 17, 1862, at Antietam Creek, Maryland, over 23,000 Union and Confederate soldiers (nine times the number who fell on the beaches of Normandy) were killed or wounded. This cataclysmic battle was the bloodiest day of fighting in American history, with a stunning number of casualties left in its wake. Antietam also proved to be a critical and surprising turning point in the chronology of the Civil War. Though Union troops had halted the Confederate advance toward Washington, D.C., neither side emerged as the decisive victor. Nonetheless, the battle was a powerful symbolic victory for the Union. Encouraged by the Confederate retreat, President Lincoln boldly issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing Southern slaves and sending the message that his firm goal was to end the war and reunite the Union. In the battle’s aftermath, England and France were also dissuaded from supporting either side in the war, avoiding an expansion of the conflict of untold proportions.

 

 

1. According to this documentary, what were Abraham Lincoln’s thoughts on the Civil War? What does his famous quote “a house divided cannot stand” mean?

 

 

 

 

2. The Emancipation Proclamation declared that unless Confederates put down their arms and come back to the Union, then starting January 1, 1863, all slaves in the south would be freed. Lincoln used his power as Commander-in-Chief to confiscate property of southerners – the slaves.

 

 

 

Was this an acceptable use of power in your opinion? Why or why not?

 

 

 

 

3. In the summer of 1862, Lincoln’s cabinet did not want him to sign the Emancipation Proclamation while the Union was losing because it looked like a desperate move. They told him to wait until they had a victory. Do you agree with the cabinet’s opinion? Why or why not?

 

 

 

 

 

4. Although Antietam was not a clear victory for the Union, Lincoln’s advisors told him it was sufficient enough to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. If Antietam had not occurred, do you think the Emancipation Proclamation would have been signed? Why or why not?

 

 

 

 

5. In 1862, some European leaders considered supporting the Confederates. How did the battle at Antietam change this?

 

 

 

 

 

6. What effect do you feel Antietam had on the public’s morale and attitude about the war?

 

 

 

7. What images or ideas in this documentary did you find most compelling? Most surprising?

 

 

 

 

8. If you had to describe the importance of the battle at Antietam to someone five years younger than you, what would you say?

 

 

 

 

9.  Why is Antietam considered a turning point in American history? What other Civil War events and battles do you think were equally or more important?

 

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