American Civil War Trivia Quiz – 15 Questions And Answers

Welcome to the American Civil War Trivia Quiz, where we’ll take you back in time to one of the most significant periods in American history. Prepare to test your knowledge of the conflict that shaped a nation and forever altered its trajectory.

From the first shots at Fort Sumter to the Appomattox Court House surrender, this quiz will immerse you in the dramatic events, key figures, and profound impact of the American Civil War.

Each question will be followed by multiple-choice options, and it’s up to you to select the correct answer. Sharpen your knowledge of the American Civil War, and uncover fascinating details about this defining chapter in the nation’s past!

1. What year did the American Civil War begin?
   • 1862
   • 1863
   • 1861
   • 1860
   The correct answer is 1861.
   The American Civil War began on April 12, 1861, when Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in South Carolina.
2. Who was the President of the United States during the Civil War?
   • James Buchanan
   • Ulysses S. Grant
   • Andrew Johnson
   • Abraham Lincoln
   The correct answer is Abraham Lincoln.
   Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States and served from 1861 until his assassination in 1865.
3. What was the primary cause of the American Civil War?
   • Territorial disputes
   • Economic differences
   • Slavery
   • States’ rights
   The correct answer is Slavery.
   While there were several contributing factors, the main cause of the Civil War was the issue of slavery and its expansion into new territories.
4. Which state was the first to secede from the Union?
   • Alabama
   • Mississippi
   • Florida
   • South Carolina
   The correct answer is South Carolina.
   South Carolina seceded from the Union on December 20, 1860, following the election of Abraham Lincoln as President.

5. What was the bloodiest single-day battle of the Civil War?
   • Shiloh
   • Chancellorsville
   • Gettysburg
   • Antietam
   The correct answer is Antietam.
   The Battle of Antietam, fought on September 17, 1862, resulted in approximately 23,000 casualties in just one day.
6. Who was the commanding general of the Confederate Army?
   • Robert E. Lee
   • Ulysses S. Grant
   • Jefferson Davis
   • Stonewall Jackson
   The correct answer is Robert E. Lee.
   Robert E. Lee was the leading Confederate general throughout most of the Civil War and surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant in April 1865.
7. What was the name of the Union’s strategy to defeat the Confederacy?
   • Anaconda Plan
   • March to the Sea
   • Total War
   • Blockade Strategy
   The correct answer is Anaconda Plan.
   The Anaconda Plan, developed by General Winfield Scott, involved blockading Southern ports and cutting off the Confederacy’s resources.
8. Which battle is considered the turning point of the Civil War?
   • Gettysburg
   • Antietam
   • Chancellorsville
   • Vicksburg
   The correct answer is Gettysburg.
   The Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1-3, 1863, was a major Union victory that halted the Confederate invasion of the North.
9. What was the purpose of the Emancipation Proclamation?
   • To end the war
   • To provide equal rights for all citizens
   • To offer amnesty to Confederate soldiers
   • To free slaves in Confederate states
   The correct answer is to free slaves in Confederate states.
   The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Lincoln on January 1, 1863, declared that slaves in Confederate states were to be set free.
10. Which Confederate general earned the nickname “Stonewall” during the First Battle of Bull Run?
    • Robert E. Lee
    • James Longstreet
    • J.E.B. Stuart
    • Thomas J. Jackson
    The correct answer is Thomas J. Jackson.
    Thomas J. Jackson earned the nickname “Stonewall” for his steadfast defense during the First Battle of Bull Run in July 1861.

11. What was the significance of the Battle of Vicksburg?
    • It was the first major battle of the war
    • It gave the Union control of the Mississippi River
    • It was the last Confederate victory
    • It marked the beginning of the end for the Confederacy
    The correct answer is It gave the Union control of the Mississippi River.
    The Union victory at Vicksburg in July 1863 effectively split the Confederacy in half and granted the Union control of the Mississippi River.
12. What was the name of the famous Confederate ironclad warship?
    • USS Monitor
    • Hunley
    • Merrimack
    • CSS Virginia
    The correct answer is CSS Virginia.
    The CSS Virginia, originally the USS Merrimack, was a Confederate ironclad that fought the Union ironclad USS Monitor in the Battle of Hampton Roads in March 1862.
13. What was the Confederate capital during the Civil War?
    • Atlanta, Georgia
    • Charleston, South Carolina
    • Montgomery, Alabama
    • Richmond, Virginia
    The correct answer is Richmond, Virginia.
    Richmond, Virginia, served as the capital of the Confederate States of America throughout most of the Civil War.
14. Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery?
    • 14th Amendment
    • 13th Amendment
    • 16th Amendment
    • 15th Amendment
    The correct answer is 13th Amendment.
    The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in December 1865, officially abolished slavery in the United States.

15. When did the American Civil War officially end?
    • April 9, 1865
    • June 22, 1865
    • April 12, 1861
    • May 10, 1865
    The correct answer is April 9, 1865.
    The Civil War officially ended on April 9, 1865, when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia.