Download “The time had come ….”

“The time had come ….”
The opening shots of the American
Civil War.
Election of 1860
Fort Sumter
• One of two Federal forts left in the South.
• Lincoln’s dilemma.
What is the one thing that Lincoln can not
afford to do?
• April 12th, 1861. Southern artillery opens
fire on the fort. Thirty-four hours later, the
garrison surrenders.
Impact?
• Galvanizes the North. The Southerners
were now looked upon as the aggressors.
• April 15th. Lincoln calls for 75,000
volunteers
• VA, Ark, and Tenn.., all secede.
• Robert E. Lee is offered command of
the Union armies.
Causes of the Civil War
The issue of slavery
• Slavery in general. Moral terms.
• Expansion of slavery as it relates to the new
territories or the balance of power.
• Four slave states remained loyal to the
Union.
More
State’s rights/nullification
• Supremacy of the individual state over the
federal government.
• Interpretation of the intent of the Founding
Fathers and the Constitution.
Economic differences
• Agriculture v. industry. Slavery and the
protective tariff.
More
Differences in Civilization
• Planter aristocracy v. a more democratic
North. Couldn’t understand each other.
Fanaticism
• Both sides exaggerated the ills of each.
• The critical time period of the 1850’s lacked
leadership able to steer and maintain a
course of compromise.
Advantages for the North
1. Controlled 19 free states and 5 border
states.
2. Northern population totaled 22 million.
South had 9 million ( of which 3.5 million
were slaves)
3. Represented over 90% of the industry.
4. 20,000 miles of railroads.
More Yankees
5. 3/4th of the nation’s financial resources.
The South was short on capital.
6. The North maintained control of the navy
and merchant marine.
Advantages of the South
1. Geographically compact group of 11 states.
2. Fighting a defensive war. Knew the
terrain, shorter lines of
communication etc.
3. Military leadership.
4. More accustomed to an outdoor
life.
5. British and French friends.
A look at the “ifs”
What if:
• The Border States had seceded?
• Certain battles had gone different ways.
• A wave of defeatism swept the North and
demanded an armistice?
• France or England broke the Union
blockade?
Lincoln tests the Constitution
• Often proceeded without Congressional
approval.
• Calls up troops.
• Spends federal funds not yet
appropriated.
• Suspends the writ habeas corpus in MD.
• Exiled Copperhead leader Vallandignam
to the Confederacy.
Foreign Intrigue
Northern problems with England.
• Wanted them to keep out of the war.
• Wheat and corn defeat King Cotton.
• Uncle Tom.
• English ship building. Blockade runners.
Alabama.
• Canadian troubles.
Girding for War
• Lincoln and Davis.
• Volunteers and the first draft.
(19% v. 6%)
Economic problems.
• Taxes.
• New protective tariffs.
• National banking system.