What Did the Term “Yankee” Mean During the Civil War?

By Staff WriterLast Updated March 30, 2020

“Yankee” was a name used by Southerners during the Civil War when referring to their northern rivals who were loyal to the Union. Northerners living in states like Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut were still referred to as “Yankees” even after the Civil War came to an end.

The term “Yankee” would eventually be used to refer to all Americans during World War I, and is still used today in countries throughout the world, such as Australia and Great Britain. While no one is certain of the origins of the name “Yankee,” some believe that it was first used by a British General named James Wolfe in 1758 when he was commanding soldiers from New England.