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On September 17, 1862, 75,000 Union troops under the command of George McClellan, clashed with about 40,000 Confederate troops under the command of Robert E. Lee at Sharpsburg, Maryland. The horrible battle, which was the bloodiest day in American history, became known as the Battle of Antietam because of the creek (Antietam Creek) that ran through the battle site. The landmark battle was not a military victory for either side, but rather a moral and tactical victory for the Union. Lee's exhausted Army of Northern Virginia was forced to retreat to the Virginia side of the Potomac River. General McClellan, however, failed to order the pursuit of the fleeing Confederates, which ultimately allowed them to regroup.

Despite the inconclusive nature of the battle, president Abraham Lincoln declared the battle a significant victory for the Union. Lincoln's victorious assertion was important for northern morale because of significant defeats in Virginia, and increasing criticism from "Copperheads", Democrats who favored peaceful negotiations with the South. Furthermore, the Battle of Antietam provided an opportunity for president Lincoln to free all slaves still subjugated in the South. Five days after the battle, on September 22, 1862, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation which freed all slaves in "enemy territory" as of January 1, 1863. The announcement was hailed by abolitionists (people who opposed slavery). However, it is important to note that the new law did not free slaves being held in the border states of Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri. Lincoln was concerned that the issuance of a universal emancipation of all slaves would persuade those states to secede from the Union and join the Confederacy.

Who issued the Emancipation Proclamation?
1. President Kennedy
2. President Lincoln
3. Robert E. Lee
4. George McClellan
The Emancipation Proclamation freed all slaves in "enemy territory" effective _________________ .
1. Before the Battle of Antietam
2. January 1, 1863
3. September 22, 1862
4. September 17, 1862
Which of the following was not a border state?
1. Kentucky
2. Delaware
3. Maryland
4. Virginia
Which of the following was a reason that the Confederates were able to regroup after the Battle of Antietam?
1. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued too soon.
2. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued too late.
3. General McClellan failed to pursue the Confederates into Pennsylvania.
4. General McClellan failed to pursue the Confederates into Virginia.
What does "inconclusive" mean in this sentence?

Despite the inconclusive nature of the battle, president Abraham Lincoln declared the battle a significant victory of the Union.
1. Close to the truth.
2. Violent
3. Hard to tell who won.
4. Risky
Which of the following sentences uses the word "inconclusive" correctly?
1. He was forced to tell the inconclusive truth.
2. My dad is going to the inconclusive store.
3. After many tests, the cause of the fire was still inconclusive.
4. My headache is getting inconclusive.
What was a Copperhead?
1. A Copperhead was a Democrat who favored peaceful negotiations with the south.
2. A Copperhead was a Democrat who favored peaceful negotiations with the north.
3. A Copperhead was a Democrat who favored military action against the north.
4. A Copperhead was a Democrat who favored military action against the south.
Why did the Emancipation Proclamation not free slaves in border states?
1. Those states were not part of the United States.
2. President Lincoln thought that slavery should exist somewhere in the country.
3. President Lincoln did not want those states to secede from the Union.
4. There were no slaves in those states.
Which of the following is NOT true?
1. Antietam was the bloodiest one-day battle in American history.
2. The landmark battle was a tactical victory for the south.
3. Lee's army was forced to retreat to the Virginia side of the Potomac River.
4. The battle took place at Sharpsburg, Maryland.
Which of the following is true?
1. The border states seceded from the Union before President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
2. President Lincoln declared Antietam a significant loss for the Union.
3. Abolitionists are people who are opposed to slavery.
4. The Copperheads demanded continued military action against the south.