why were northerners who opposed the war called copperheads?
They were considered copperheads, poisonous snakes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copperheads_(politics)
Thanks!
You're welcome.
Northerners who opposed the Civil War were called "Copperheads" because the term was used to liken them to the venomous snake, the copperhead. The name was first applied to them in 1862 by pro-war Republicans who believed these Northern opponents were actually sabotaging the Union war effort. The term gained popularity and was widely used to describe those who advocated for peace, compromise, or even outright surrender during the Civil War.
To understand the origin of the term, it helps to know that the copperhead snake is native to North America and known for its coppery-red head. It blends well with its surroundings, making it difficult to detect and often striking unexpectedly. Additionally, the bite of a copperhead can be extremely dangerous.
The term "Copperhead" symbolized the Northern opponents' perceived sneaky and dangerous nature, as well as their potential to harm the Union. It was intended to discredit and marginalize their opinions and portray them as a threat to the war effort.
So, to summarize, Northerners who opposed the war were called "Copperheads" because the term likened them to a venomous snake - secretive, dangerous, and capable of harming the Union.