Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

What was a key outcome of the Civil War's beginning at Fort Sumter?

1. It marked the end of southern resistance

2. It led to the immediate formation of the Confederacy

3. It signaled the start of a prolonged conflict between North and South

4. It resulted in a peace treaty

The correct answer is: It signaled the start of a prolonged conflict between North and South

The onset of the Civil War at Fort Sumter is fundamentally recognized as signaling the start of a prolonged conflict between the North and the South. The bombardment of Fort Sumter by Confederate forces on April 12, 1861, marked the official beginning of hostilities between the two factions. This event was not merely a precursor to war but a decisive moment that solidified the split between the Union and the Confederacy, leading both sides to mobilize for what would become one of the longest and deadliest conflicts in American history. The attack resulted in the North rallying in a show of unity and resolve to preserve the Union, while the South viewed the victory at Fort Sumter as a validation of their cause for independence. The subsequent declarations of war and mobilization of troops from both sides indicate the beginning of an extended engagement that would last for four years and reshape the nation fundamentally. This understanding of the conflict’s duration and intensity traces back directly to this pivotal moment at Fort Sumter.