Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
The American Civil War, 1861-1865 (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
How Important was the American Civil War on the Plains? - Timeline & Summary
The American Civil War took much of the government's attention and resources. This left the Plains relatively untouched by major developments. However, the aftermath of the American Civil War brought about several important changes. These changes influenced the development of the Plains. One key impact of the American Civil War on the Plains was an increase in westward expansion and settlement. After the war, the federal government sought to promote settlement in the West. This would help to rebuild the nation after the conflict. As a result, the US government passed key laws to encourage migration. In 1862, the government introduced the Homestead Act and the Pacific Railroad Act. This opened the West up to more settlers, increasing the development of the West. The American Civil War forced many Indigenous tribes in the West to move or enter into reservations. The end of the Civil War increased US settlers in the Plains. This created more conflicts between settlers and Indigenous tribes. |
What Caused the American Civil War?
The US government had representatives from:
The northern states like New York
The southern states like Texas
North and South had different ideas about how to govern the West
Opinions of the North | Opinions of the South |
|---|---|
New states should not use slave labour. Instead of plantations, the West should have family farms worked on by free individuals | Southern states relied on slavery for their wealth. They believed that slavery should be legalised in the new states in the West |
In 1861, seven southern states left the USA
They established their own government called the Confederacy
Four more states joined later
The Confederacy triggered the American Civil War
Exam Tip
For your exam, you do not need to know everything about the American Civil War. Ensure you know the causes of the conflict and its outcomes on the development of the West.
How did the American Civil War Affect the Development of the West?
After four years of fighting, the Confederacy lost the Civil War
Over 600,000 Americans had died
The conflict wounded another 400,000 Americans
The Civil War had significant impacts
Positive impacts | Negative impacts |
|---|---|
The US government granted citizenship to Black Americans | The US government had to repair the significant damage to the southern states caused by the Civil War |
Ex-soldiers and former enslaved people travelled to the West to start new lives | The Confederacy rejoined the USA. They maintained racist laws in their states |
In 1862, without opposition from the Confederacy, the US government introduced two key laws that encouraged the development of the West:
Helping families to create farms in the West without slavery
Connecting the West with the northern states
Worked Example
Explain one consequence of the American Civil War (1861-1865)
4 marks
Partial answer:
One consequence of the American Civil War was laws that encouraged the development of the West. In 1862, the US government passed the Homestead Act and the Pacific Railroad Act. The American Civil War allowed this to happen as the southern states had formed the Confederacy. As a result, they were unable to oppose the acts. This helped the development of the West as it encouraged more US citizens to settle in the West and improved its infrastructure.
Exam Tip
In the American West exam, this style of question would ask you to explain one consequence of an event. The mark scheme offers 4 marks per consequence. To gain 4 marks, you should include:
The identified consequence of the event that is stated in the question
Specific own knowledge linked to the event that shows an in-depth knowledge of the period
Using the own knowledge to explain the consequence of the chosen event
This question has previously asked you to explain two consequences. In the American West exam paper for 2025, this question will ask you to explain one consequence. However, there will be two different "explain the consequence of" questions each, worth four marks.
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