Let’s go step by step to fill in each term with a clear, simple explanation and a reference you can use.
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Union:
The Union was the group of states that stayed loyal to the United States government during the Civil War. These were mostly Northern states that did not want slavery to spread and believed the country should stay together as one nation. The Union fought against the Confederate states.
*Reference used:* Encyclopedia Britannica – “American Civil War” (you can find this online or in a library book)
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Confederate:
The Confederates were the Southern states that broke away from the United States because they wanted to keep slavery and believed states had the right to make their own laws. They formed their own country called the Confederate States of America and fought against the Union.
*Reference used:* History.com – “Confederate States of America” (available on their website)
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Slavery:
Slavery was when people were forced to work without pay and were treated like property. In the South before the Civil War, many farms used enslaved African Americans to grow cotton and other crops. This was a major reason why the North and South disagreed — the North wanted to stop slavery from spreading, while the South wanted to keep it.
*Reference used:* National Geographic Kids – “What Was Slavery?” (easy-to-read article for students)
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Blockade:
A blockade is when one side stops ships from going in or out of an area. During the Civil War, the Union put a naval blockade around Southern ports so the Confederacy couldn’t sell cotton or buy weapons and supplies. This hurt the South’s economy and made it harder for them to fight.
*Reference used:* Smithsonian Learning Lab – “Civil War Blockade” (searchable online with teacher help if needed)
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Final Answer:
Union: The Northern states that stayed loyal to the U.S. government and fought to keep the country united and end slavery.
*Reference used:* Encyclopedia Britannica
Confederate: The Southern states that left the U.S. to form their own country and protect slavery.
*Reference used:* History.com
Slavery: When people were owned by others and forced to work without freedom or pay — a key cause of the Civil War.
*Reference used:* National Geographic Kids
Blockade: The Union’s strategy to stop ships from entering or leaving Southern ports to weaken the Confederacy.
*Reference used:* Smithsonian Learning Lab
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of civil war review worksheet.
