Missouri's War: The Civil War in Documents

Discussion Questions

253 Discussion Questions chapter฀1:฀slavery฀in฀missouri 1. Consider what you know about slaves living on large plantations in the Cotton South and compare their situation with that of slaves living in Missouri. 2. In your view, what was the most difficult challenge confronting Missouri’s slaves? 3. WhydidDredScottfailinhisbidforfreedomwhensomanyotherslaves,including Rachel, who sued for their liberty under the 1824 freedom statute succeeded? 4. What do you make of the proslavery arguments contained in some of the documents in this book (for example, A. A. Edwards’s letter to his uncle Lewis G. Harvey)? What do these attitudes tell you about Missourians’ relationship with their slaves? chapter฀2:฀missouri฀divides 1. Why did Missouri’s admission to the Union become such a controversial issue? What was at stake for each side in the debate? 2. In your opinion, were the compromises that settled these difficulties a reasonable solution? Why or why not? 3. How do you understand the role of a western state like Missouri in the national conflict between North and South? 4. Why was Kansas statehood such an explosive issue? Why did violence break out there? 5. Why did Stephen A. Douglas (rather than one of the other Democratic candidates ) win Missouri’s popular vote in the 1860 presidential election? Did that outcome surprise you? Why or why not? 6. Consider Governor Claiborne Jackson’s activities during the first year of the Civil War. In your view, was he a competent political leader? Why or why not? What could he or should he have done differently? chapter฀3:฀missourians฀confront฀war 1. How likely was it that the state of Missouri could have joined the Confederacy? In your view, was it a close decision? Or was the state’s loyalty a foregone conclusion? 2. Who were the key players in the battle for Missouri? In your view, who was the most powerful figure in the conflict over secession? 254 Discussion questions 3. Consider what you know about the Democratic and Republican parties during the Civil War. You might make a chart listing their key beliefs, values, and platforms . Which party do you believe was ultimately more important in keeping Missouri in the Union? 4. What was the role of ethnic divisions in determining the outcome of the secession crisis in Missouri? chapter฀4:฀missouri’s฀battles 1. Why did the Camp Jackson incident become such a disaster? What was the main cause of the tragedy? 2. List the three most important military engagements in Missouri. Justify your choices, describing casualties, outcomes, and tactical advantages. 3. Why was St. Louis (and not Jefferson City) such a crucial objective for both sides? 4. What was the significance of the battle at Wilson’s Creek in Missouri’s decision to remain loyal? 5. What was the greatest problem Union commanders faced in their attempt to control Missouri? What about Confederate commanders? 6. What was role did military battles play in Missouri’s wartime politics? 7. In your opinion, what were the greatest challenges confronting Confederate and Union soldiers from Missouri? chapter฀5:฀civilians฀cope฀with฀war 1. How were civilians able to help the war effort (on either side)? 2. Describe refugee relief efforts. Who had the greatest responsibility for caring for refugees? 3. How would you explain the attitudes of women like Lucy Thurman? Why would she encourage a Confederate soldier to take the oath of loyalty? 4. Why would soldiers have become so callous toward civilians? chapter฀6:฀bushwhackers,฀jayhawkers,฀and฀prisoners 1. Why was guerrilla fighting such a significant issue in Missouri, as opposed to other border states? What do you think accounts for the viciousness along the border? Discussion questions 255 2. In your view, was General Thomas Ewing’s General Order No. 11 a necessary and wise move? Why or why not? How else could Ewing have handled the situation? 3. Discuss loyalty oaths in Missouri. Were they effective in controlling civilian unrest? Did they help restore peace, or did they contribute to the problems of dissent? 4. Describe the refugee problem in wartime Missouri. What were some of their most serious hardships? chapter฀7:฀first฀steps฀toward฀emancipation 1. Draw up a timeline of the process of emancipation in Missouri. You may want to consider the effects of earlier events, such as the passage of the 1824 freedom statute, the Dred Scott decision, and military activities within the state. 2. Why did white...