The Battle of Ironclads: Monitor vs. Merrimack

In 1861, the Union's naval blockade hindered the South's trade. The South retrofitted the Merrimack into the ironclad CSS Virginia. In 1862, the Virginia clashed with the Union's USS Monitor in the first ironclad battle, the Battle of Hampton Roads. The battle ended in a draw, but marked a shift in naval warfare, proving ironclads' superiority over wooden ships. Both sides began building more ironclads, and the Confederacy developed the H.L. Hunley, the first submarine to sink an enemy ship. The Monitor was lost in a storm, and the Merrimack was destroyed to prevent capture.

What was the primary goal of the Union naval blockade in 1861?

• To protect Union merchant ships

• To prevent the South from exporting cotton and importing supplies

• To capture Confederate cities along the coast

• To establish a trade route with Europe

What was the original name of the CSS Virginia?

• USS Enterprise

• USS Constitution

• USS Merrimack

• USS Monitor

What was significant about the battle between the Monitor and the Merrimack?

• It was the largest naval battle of the Civil War

• It was the first battle between two ironclad warships

• It resulted in the capture of the CSS Virginia

• It was the first battle between two submarines

What was the outcome of the Battle of Hampton Roads?

• The Union destroyed the CSS Virginia

• The battle ended in a draw

• The CSS Virginia sank the USS Monitor

• The Union captured the CSS Virginia

Why did the Confederates destroy the Merrimack?

• To make room for a new ship

• Because it was damaged beyond repair

• To prevent it from being captured by the Union

• To test a new type of explosive

When was the wreck of the USS Monitor discovered?

• 1945

• 1862

• 1912

• 1973

What did the battle between the Monitor and the Merrimack demonstrate about naval warfare?

• Naval battles were becoming obsolete

• Submarines were the future of naval warfare

• Ironclad ships were superior to wooden ships

• Wooden ships were more effective than ironclads

What was the H.L. Hunley known for?

• Being the largest ship of the Civil War

• Being the first ironclad warship

• Sinking an enemy vessel in combat as a submarine

• Winning the Battle of Hampton Roads