Download U.S. History The Civil War Begins: 1861

U.S. History
The Civil War Begins:
1861-1862
Sizing Up the Competition…
As the war began, both sides evaluated their strengths
and weaknesses. The Union had many advantages over the
South. The Union had a larger population (roughly 22
million people) compared to the South’s 9 million people (1/3
of whom were slaves). About 85% of the nation’s factories
were located in the North. These factories produced many
goods that would be integral in winning the war such as cloth,
weapons, and ships. Abraham Lincoln was also a valuable asset
to the Union because he was an excellent leader. The Union
also had control of most of the nation’s navy. Additionally,
71% of the nation’s railroad lines were located in the North. Rail lines would make it easy to transport
both supplies and troops. At the start of the war, many Union leaders felt that the South would be
unable to survive a long war due to their disadvantages.
The Confederacy was not without advantages of its own. The South had a much stronger
trade-relationship with Europe. They also had a stronger, well-trained set of military leaders (many
of whom had attended West Point, the nation’s finest military academy). The Confederates had a
psychological advantage too. They were more passionate about the war. Much like the soldiers of the
American Revolutionary War, they were empowered by the idea that they were fighting for a new
kind of independence.
The Game Plan…
At the start of the war, the North’s goal was to keep
the country together. The North implemented a strategy
known as the Anaconda Plan. The goal of this plan was to
surround and smother the southern economy, like a giant
snake squeezing its prey. The Union would create a naval
blockade of the southern coastline, which would prevent any
ships from entering or leaving southern ports. The Union
hoped that if the South was unable to trade, its economy
would eventually crumble and they’d be forced to surrender.
The Union also planned on taking over the Mississippi River,
another important trade route for the South. The only
problem with the plan is that it would take time to work and
many people in the North had hoped for a quick end to the war.
Graphic of Anaconda Plan
The Confederacy adopted a different war strategy. Their goal was to remain independent and
self-governing. The Confederacy did not want to conquer the North, but rather they just wanted to
be left alone. The South hoped that it could use its cotton crops to coerce France and Great Britain
into aiding the Confederacy. However, Europe had a surplus of cotton from the previous season.
Additionally, Great Britain and France had both abolished slavery and were not too keen on helping
the South to preserve slavery in North America.
The First Shots are Fired…
After seceding from the Union (the name commonly
used to refer to the states remaining in the United States of
America), the Confederacy took over all federal forts and
armories located within their states. One of the few forts that
the Union was able to maintain control over was called Fort
Sumter. Fort Sumter was located in the harbor of
Charlestown, South Carolina. The Union general in charge of
the fort sent a message to President Lincoln that the fort was
running low on supplies. Lincoln was perplexed. If he sent
supplies to the fort, he knew that the Confederacy would see
this as an act of war. If he did not send supplies to the fort and
Fight for Fort Sumter, 1861
ordered the Union general to return to the North, it would
look as if Lincoln was giving into the South. The Confederacy decided to attack the fort before
Lincoln could make a decision. On April 12, 1861, the Confederacy fired the first shots of the Civil
War at Fort Sumter. No one was killed but the Union was forced to surrender the fort and the war
had officially begun.
The First Two Years of Fighting….
The Union army had decided to begin its assault on the Confederacy by invading Virginia
(R
Richmond, VA had been declared the capital of the Confederate States of America). The first fullscale battle of the Civil War began on July 21, 1861 when Union forces descended upon Manassas, VA.
Nearly 37,000 Union soldiers were positioned to square off against 20,000 Confederate soldiers.
Most northerners were expecting an easy victory, but the Confederate Generals were able to outsmart the Union Army and emerged victorious. Lincoln was stunned to learn that his army had lost
the first battle of the Civil War (which became known as the Battle of Bull Run).
On the western front, Union General Ulysses S. Grant made a bold move to take the state of
Tennessee. Within a matter of weeks Grant was able to take the capital city of Nashville. The Union
victories in Tennessee were short lived when the Confederates decided to strike back. Grant and his
army of 42,000 soldiers were attacked by an army of 40,000 Confederate rebels in the Battle of
Shiloh. Both sides lost over 10,000 men and the battle ended in a stalemate (meaning there was no
clear winner). Meanwhile, back east, the Union Army was attempting to move toward the
Confederate capital of Richmond. The Confederates fought hard to drive the Union Army back
north and, though the Confederates lost more men, they won what became known as the Seven Day’s
Battle. Soon afterwards, the Confederates won another victory in the Second Battle of Bull Run. By
the fall of 1862, Confederate General Robert E. Lee had driven the Union Army out of Virginia.
Riding a wave of Confederate victories, General Lee decided to invade the Union. Lee believed
that the morale of the Union was low after sustaining so many loses. He believed it was a perfect time
to attack the North. Lee hoped that a victory in the North would force Lincoln to end the war and
recognize the Confederate States of America as an independent country. Lee believed such a victory
would show the world that the South was capable of winning the war (and then perhaps Great Britain
and France would side with the Confederacy).
Name:
Date:
Core:
U.S. History
The Civil War Begins
Reflection Questions…
Directions: Use the Civil War Begins: 1861-1862 handout to answer the following questions.
Fact Check…
1.
What was the name of the plan that the Union had for winning the war? _________________
2. Briefly describe how this plan worked. ______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. True or False. The Confederacy planned on winning the war by attacking factories located in
the North and taking over the capital city of Washington, D.C.
I think that this statement is ________ (true or false) because in the text I read: ____________
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4. When were the first shots of the Civil War fired? _____________________________________
5. Where were the first shots of the Civil War fired? _____________________________________
6. Who was the General of the Confederate Army? _____________________________________
7. Who was the General of the Union Army? __________________________________________
8. True or False. The Union used its advantages to win many of the early battles in the Civil War.
It appeared as though the Union would have little trouble defeating the Confederate rebellion
by 1863.
I think that this statement is ________ (true or false) because in the text I read: ____________
______________________________________________________________________________
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There are more
questions on
the back!!
9. Look at the cartoon below that is entitled “Sizing Up the Competition”.
A
A
B
In your opinion, which football players represent the Union and which football players represent the
Confederacy? Use only the information from the text under the subtitle “SSizing Up the Competition”
to answer this question. (ATITIC)
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Exemplary
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Insightful, well
organized, and fluent
Deep understanding of
text is demonstrated
Specific references to
text are used to support
ideas
Text references are well
interpreted and clearly
connected to response
3
Proficient
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Thoughtful, organized,
and fluent
Clear understanding of
the text is demonstrated
Relevant references to
text are used to support
ideas
Text references are
explained and connected
to response
2
Progressing
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Organized and
somewhat fluent
Basic understanding of
text is displayed
At least one relevant
example from text is
used to support ideas
Text references are
somewhat connected to
response
1
Beginning
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Disorganized or confusing
Limited or no
understanding of text is
displayed
Limited or no examples
from text are used to
support ideas
Text reference seems
irrelevant to response