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Civil War
 Which side, the North or the South, had more
advantages during the Civil War?
 The North had more resources and a larger
population, while the South was fighting for its
survival.
 Do any of these advantages or disadvantages
surprise you? Why?
 The North’s industrial capacity and sheer numbers
gave it an unmatched advantage.
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Military The South benefited from a system of military colleges and a strong military tradition. The North, on
the other hand, had a strong navy.
Economy Northern finances were steadier thanks to the national treasury, banking system, and tariff
revenues. The Union had continuing revenue from tariffs. The South, however, had little cash and significant
inflation.
Industry Some 90 percent of the nation’s factories were in the North, giving the Union an advantage in the
production of ammunition and other supplies.
Transportation The North had twice as many miles of railroad track as the South, which had only one major
east-west railway.
Population The population of the North was significantly higher than that of the South. This gave the Union a
larger pool of troops.
Which side do you think was
better prepared for the war?
Why?
 The Union was better prepared for the war
because of its greater population and
industrial, transportation, and economic
advantages.
Early Battles
 First Battle of Bull Run The First Battle of Bull Run, fought near Manassas
Junction, Virginia, ended the belief that the North would win the war quickly and
easily.
 War in the West The Union seized the important port of New Orleans in 1862.
Grant oversaw efforts to control the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers in order
to split the Confederacy in two.
 War in the East McClellan sought to capture Richmond. He battled Lee’s forces
repeatedly, culminating in a bloody battle at Antietam in 1862. The Union victory
deterred the British from recognizing the Confederacy and encouraged Lincoln to
issue the Emancipation Proclamation.
What was the importance of the campaign in the West?
Union control of the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers would split the
Confederacy, making it more difficult for the South to move supplies and
troops.
How did the victory at Antietam influence the course of the war?
The victory helped the Union by keeping the British out of the war and
prodding the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Predictable Misunderstanding
 You may think that the Civil War began
because Lincoln ended slavery. Although
Abraham Lincoln was morally opposed to
slavery, he never intended to outlaw slavery
and did not do so until two years after the
war had started, and then only in states
rebelling against the Union.
How did the Emancipation Proclamation change the nature of the war?
It made the war more about slavery and thus more of a moral war, rather than
a political conflict to return states to the Union.
Why were Vicksburg and Gettysburg
turning points in the war?
 Sherman’s march to the sea Sherman and his troops
traveled through Georgia and other Southern states,
destroying supplies and infrastructure.
 Appomattox Court House Forces led by Lee and Grant
met at Appomattox Court House in Virginia. Facing defeat,
Lee surrendered to Grant, effectively ending the war.
 Assassination of Lincoln John Wilkes Booth assassinated
Lincoln just days after Lee’s surrender. Vice President
Andrew Johnson assumed the presidency after Lincoln’s
death.
How might Sherman’s march
have weakened the South?
 Sherman and his troops destroyed supplies
and land, making it harder for the South to
support its troops and damaging civilian
morale.
What was the significance of the events at Appomattox
Courthouse?
Lee surrendered to Grant, effectively ending the war and paving the
way for the reunification of the North and South.
After the troubles and
divisions of the Civil War,
what was needed to help the
nation come together again?
 The nation was in need of forgiveness and
healing. The South needed to be rebuilt and
have past enemies brought back into the
Union.