Download The Civil War The Election of Lincoln A. Following Abraham

The Civil War
The Election of Lincoln
A. Following Abraham Lincoln’s victory in the Election of 1860 many pro-slavery advocates
were outraged due to his abolitionist beliefs.
1. Within seven days the South Carolina legislature voted unanimously in favor of
secession.
2. South Carolina became the first state to leave the Union.
3. Within the next few days six other states would vote to secede including: Alabama,
Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.
4. These states drafted a constitution and established the Confederate States of America.
5. Abraham Lincoln regarding the issue of slavery stated that, "A house divided against
itself cannot stand..." He was determined to preserve the Union.
Lincoln’s Past
B. Although Lincoln is revered as one of the most important presidents in U.S. History, one
would not assume that he would accomplish so much for his country based on his past. A
common list of the failures of Abraham Lincoln (along with a few successes) is:
1831 - Lost his job
1832 - Defeated in run for Illinois State Legislature
1833 - Failed in business
1834 - Elected to Illinois State Legislature (success)
1835 - Sweetheart died (Ann Rutledge)
1836 - Had nervous breakdown, spent six months in bed.
1838 - Defeated in run for Illinois House Speaker
1843 - Defeated in run for nomination for U.S. Congress
1846 - Elected to Congress (success)
1848 - Lost re-nomination
1849 - Rejected for land officer position
1854 - Defeated in run for U.S. Senate
1856 - Defeated in run for nomination for Vice President
1858 - Again defeated in run for U.S. Senate
1860 - Elected President (success)
Lincoln proved to be the epitome of perseverance, and this would prove to be imperative
in the cause to preserve the Union
Southern Secession
C. The newly established Confederate Constitution resembled the U.S. Constitution with two
key exceptions:
1. It guaranteed the right to own slaves.
2. It stressed that each state was “sovereign and independent.”
D. The Confederates chose Mississippi planter and former U.S. senator and secretary of war
Jefferson Davis as its new president.
E. The outgoing President James Buchanan stated that it was illegal for a state to leave the
Union, but also that the government had no power to hold a state against its will.
1. The incoming President Abraham Lincoln stated that it was unconstitutional for a state to
secede from the Union.
2. Buchanan decided to allow the incoming president to deal with the problem
The Anaconda Plan
F. Mexican War hero General Winfield Scott devised a plan to cut off southern supplies at
major ports and sending troops down the Mississippi to cut the South in two. The plan was
designed to “suffocate and squeeze” the South into submission. It was rejected.
The Battle of Fort Sumter
G. Fort Sumter was located in Charleston, South Carolina which was a major supply port in the
South.
1. It remained under federal control, but the Confederates wanted control of the port,
they demanded that the Fort surrender and placed it under siege.
2. Major Robert Anderson consulted the federal government and received orders to
refuse surrender.
3. In March 1861 he sent word to Washington that the Fort was out of supplies and
would soon fall.
4. Lincoln decided to send supplies and felt that if the Confederates attacked the supply ships
then they would be seen as the aggressors.
5. On April 12 the Confederates opened fire in order to force the surrender.
6. The bombardment lasted for 34 hours and finally forced the Union soldiers to surrender.
H. After the attack on Fort Sumter Lincoln announced the existence of a powerful rebellion and
called for the states to provide 75,000 soldiers to put down the uprisings, they were to serve for
three months.
Conscription
• Conscription is another word for draft.
• Any white man ages 20-45 might be called to serve.
• A man could pay $300 to hire a replacement.
• Laborers only made $2 per day.
• Many poor immigrants and lower class citizens were forced to fight.
• Riots broke out over conscription.
• The worst of the rioting occurred during the New York Draft Riots in July 1863.
• The riots lasted four days.
• Lincoln was forced to declare “martial law” to put down the riots.
Confederates Seek Foreign Support
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The South hoped to hold the Union off long enough to break their will to fight.
With trade with the North cut off, the South needed manufactured goods from Europe.
The South hoped that Britain and France would officially recognize them as a nation.
They also hoped to gain military assistance from Europe.
The Border States
• The “Border States” included: Missouri, Kentucky, Delaware, and Maryland.
• Although they allowed slavery, they had not joined the Confederacy.
• Lincoln had to be careful not to offend the Border States by announcing that he intended
on freeing the slaves.
• Instead Lincoln stated that he intended to “Preserve the Union.”
Battle of Bull Run
• July 1861- Union General Irvin McDowell took 30,000 soldiers into battle near
Manassas, VA.
• Union troops gained an early upper hand, but were turned back by Confederate troops led
by General Thomas J. Jackson.
• General Jackson was nicknamed by his men “Stonewall.”
• Lincoln replaced the defeated McDowell with General George B. McClellan.
• Initially many thought the war would be over quick, but they now realized that would not
be the case.
Battle of Shiloh
• General Ulysses S. Grant gained a number of victories leading to a boost in Northern
morale.
• On a battle field in southwest Tennessee at Shiloh (near a church), a fierce battle took the
lives of over 25,000 Union and Confederate troops.
• Despite a Union victory, the massive death toll led many to the realization of the extent
of death and destruction that were on the horizon in the Civil War.
Capture of New Orleans
• Led by David Farragut, the Union Navy sailed through the Gulf of Mexico and captured
the major port of New Orleans, but complete control of the Mississippi still was not
attained.
Clash of the Ironclads
• Both sides began to replace wooden ships with iron plated battle ships known as
“ironclads.”
• In March1862 the Union ironclad named the Monitor battled a Confederate ironclad
known as the Virginia.
• The Virginia was a captured Union ship (formerly known as the Merrimack), which was
turned into an ironclad by the South.
• Although neither side won, naval warfare would be changed forever.
Lincoln Urges McClellan to Attack
McClellan had become very well liked by his soldiers since taking command of the Army of the
Potomac.
Despite his popularity, friction between Lincoln and McClellan continued to grow.
Lincoln was anxious for more Union victories.
He urged McClellan to advance.
McClellan was overcautious and refused to advance until he felt the time was right.
Robert E. Lee
Arguably the most skilled general of the Civil War, Lee is still revered for his military
brilliance.
President Lincoln offered Lee command of the Union Army.
Although Lee opposed secession and slavery, he felt obligated to remain loyal to his home state
of Virginia.
Lee stated in a letter to his sister:
“With all my devotion to the Union, and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American
citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my
children, my home. I have therefore resigned my commission in the army, and save in defense
of my native state… I hope I may never be called upon to draw my sword.”
McClellan Fails to Take Richmond
McClellan was hoping to attack the South and take its capital of Richmond, Virginia.
In a series of battles known as the “Seven Days Battle,” Lee took advantage of McClellan’s
caution, forcing the Union to retreat to Washington.
At the Second Battle of Bull Run, Lee’s forces led by Stonewall Jackson handed the Union
forces another crushing defeat.
The Confederacy was gaining the advantage.
The Push Toward Emancipation
Abolitionists, including Frederick Douglas, began pressuring Lincoln to “emancipate” or free
the slaves.
Slavery had already been abolished in Europe.
Great Britain opposed slavery, which was one of the reasons they had refused to assist the
Confederates.
The Union officers were unsure what to do with enslaved African Americans who came under
their control.
Benjamin Butler claimed that they were contraband (captured war supplies) and put them to
work.
General John Fremont took it a step further and said that the enslaved people were free.
Fearing that it would anger the border states, Lincoln reversed Fremont’s order.
Lincoln began planning a statement that would free the slaves in the South, but first the Union
needed to gain a significant victory.
The Battle of Antietam
While the South had the momentum, General Lee wanted to advance into Union territory,
hoping to gain a victory.
Lee also was in search of food supplies for his men.
Lee issued a “Proclamation to the People of Maryland,” inviting them to ally themselves with
the South.
The offer was rejected.
The Union then found a copy of Lee’s battle plans wrapped around a cigar.
With his battle plans intercepted, Lee lost the element of surprise.
On September 17, 1862 the Union attacked the Confederate Army near Antietam Creek in
Maryland.
Antietam would be the bloodiest single day battle of the Civil War.
By the end of the battle 23,000 soldiers lay dead.
Union- 12,401 Confederate- 10,316
Although the Union lost more men, they won the battle.
As a result Lee and his men retreated to Virginia.
Lincoln urged McClellan to pursue the Confederates and possibly deal the final blow that would
end the war.
The overly cautious McClellan refused.
As a result, he would be relinquished of his position.
But the Union victory offered Lincoln the opportunity that he had been waiting for to free the
slaves.
The Emancipation Proclamation
On September 22, 1862 Lincoln formally announced the Emancipation Proclamation, which
freed all enslaved people in states still in rebellion after January 1, 1863.
It did not however, apply to loyal border states or to laces that were already under Union
military control.
Northerners were ecstatic, Frederick Douglass rejoiced, “We shout for joy that we live to record
this righteous decree!”
The 54
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Massachusetts
The Militia Act- Mandated that blacks be admitted into the military.
In Massachusetts, the abolitionist governor formed the first all black regiment, the 54
Massachusetts.
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Led by Robert Gould Shaw.
At first many were unsure whether the black soldiers would perform well in battle.
But shortly after, stories began to circulate about their bravery in battle.
One such battle was the unsuccessful assault on Fort Wagner in Charleston Harbor.
Many of the regiment were killed, including their commander.
The “Old Flag never touched the ground!”
But the bravery that they displayed, earned them the praise and respect of their fellow soldiers.
One man even earned the Medal of Honor!
Overall 70,000 African Americans sacrificed their lives in the Civil War.
Paying for the War
Wars are expensive.
Therefore during the Civil War the government instituted the first income tax.
It was 3% on all income of $800.
The tax was later increased.
The North also raised tariffs.
The U.S. government also sold bonds.
Bonds were purchased by the buyer, then could be redeemed for a larger amount at a future
time.
Legal Tender Act of 1862
Allowed the Treasury to issue paper money called “greenbacks.”
The Homestead Act
Passed in 1862, it allowed Congress to sell western lands at a very low cost to anyone who
would farm it.
Pacific Railroad Act
Granted land to companies to build rail lines through Union Territory.
The railroads would prove to be an invaluable advantage for the North.
They were used to transport troops and goods to the front lines.
Copperheads
A group of Northerners who demanded immediate peace with the South.
They called themselves “Peace Democrats,” but their opponents called them copperheads
(which was a poisonous snake).
The Copperheads accepted the label, claiming that the penny was made of copper and therefore
meant liberty.
Lincoln Reacts to Opposition
As a result of the draft riots, and groups like the Copperheads, Lincoln suspended the
Constitutional right of “Habeas Corpus.”
Habeas Corpus prevents people from being jailed without being charged with a specific crime.
Lincoln empowered military leaders to arrest anyone suspected of disloyalty to the Union.
The South Struggles
The Southern economy suffered greatly due to the lack of exports to the Northern factories
(cotton).
The Union Navy also set up a blockade in order to prevent the South from getting much needed
supplies.
As a result, the South had to depend greatly on their own production.
The South was also running out of money and supplies for the war.
The South printed its own currency.
The Life of a Soldier
Most men who fought in the war were between 18-39.
The average age was around 25.
The youngest soldier- Sgt. Johnny Clem, Union, 12 years old.
Despite popular belief, soldiers spent most of their time marching and sitting around camp.
For the most part camp life was rather boring.
They wrote letters, played games, conducted chores, cooked, wrestled, and went to church.
Prison Camps
Prisoners of the Civil War were exposed to some of the worst living conditions imaginable.
The soldiers starved, drank contaminated drinking water, and were infected with diseases.
Andersonville, Georgia was one of the most notorious Confederate Prison Camps.
Over 33,000 Union troops were held prisoner, during the 15 months that it was open, nearly
12,000 Union troops died there.
Men lived like, “chickens in a pen.”
Civil War Field Hospitals
Due to improved weapon technology, the Civil War produced injuries and wounds that had
never been seen before.
Doctors would operate in open tents without using sterilized utensils.
Infections ran rampant.
Often times doctors were quick to amputate limbs.
Women Get Involved
Due to the vast number of men fighting in the war, women took over many roles that were left
vacant.
Women were forced to take over businesses, farms, and plantations.
Many even became teachers.
Some disguised as men participated in the war.
Others served as spies and nurses.
Dr. Mary Walker became the only female to receive the Medal of Honor.
Vicksburg
Vicksburg was a strategic point located on the Mississippi River.
Lincoln exclaimed, “Vicksburg is the key! The war can never be brought to a close until that
key is in our pocket!”
Due to its location on the bend of the river, it was very difficult to attack.
Grant initially planned to dig a canal directly to the point of attack, but the terrain proved to be
too difficult.
Eventually on May 22, 1863 the Union placed Vicksburg under siege.
A siege is when a military unit surrounds, bombards, and cuts off supplies to the enemy until it
can no longer hold out and is forced to surrender.
The Union continued to bomb the city into submission (day and night).
Eventually due to a lack of food and supplies, the Confederates surrendered Vicksburg.
This strategic victory split the South in two.
Hardtack
Cracker or biscuit-like food made of flour, water, and salt.
Inexpensive, easy to make, and lasted a long time.
Many soldiers were forced to survive on this bland food.
Fredericksburg
Lincoln had replaced McClellan for failing to pursue the Confederates at Antietam.
His replacement, General Ambrose Burnside.
He would face off against Lee’s forces at Fredericksburg, VA.
Union troops- 120,000
Confederate troops- 80,000
Lee with the help of Stonewall Jackson and James Longstreet defeated the Union forces.
Confederates doubled the amount of casualties against their enemy.
Chancellorsville
After the defeat at Fredericksburg, Lincoln replaced Burnside with General Joseph Hooker.
The two forces met once again at Chancellorsville, VA (just west of Fredericksburg).
Once again the Confederates arose victorious.
With the South gaining the momentum, Lee saw an opportunity to gain a victory on Union
ground.
He would attempt to attack the North on its own ground.
The Death of Stonewall
Shortly after the victory at Chancellorsville, Jackson was out on a reconnaissance mission at
night.
Mistaking him for the enemy, Jackson’s men shot the General off of his horse.
A few days later Jackson would die.
It was a severe loss of leadership for the Confederates.
Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863)
Union- 90,000
Confederate- 77,500
General George Meade was now in charge of the Army of the Potomac.
Lee’s men were in search of seizing a shoe factory near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
On the morning of July 1, 1863 Lee’s forces ran into Union troops.
The Confederates pushed the Union troops back to two hills called “Little Round Top” and
“Big Round Top.”
The Confederates won the first day, but allowed the Union to take the high ground.
Day 2
Throughout the day some of the harshest, bloodiest fighting of the war took place.
At the end of the day, the Union still held the high ground.
Defeat seemed inevitable (unavoidable) for the Confederates.
Despite opposition from one of his best generals (Longstreet), Lee thought that the battle could
still be won.
Pickett’s Charge
On Day 3 (July 3, 1863) of the battle Lee aimed his artillery fire at the center of the Union line.
Believing that the line had been sufficiently weakened, Lee ordered a massive offensive charge
at the Union center led by General George Pickett.
Lee was wrong and the Confederate division was decimated by Union artillery and cannon fire.
Lee gave Pickett the order to reposition his division.
Pickett replied, “General Lee I have no division now.”
Gettysburg Bloodiest Battle of the Civil War
Battle lasted 3 days.
Union Casualties (dead)- 23,055
Confederate Casualties (dead)- 23,231 to 28,000
It was the bloodiest battle on U.S. soil.
Lee abandoned his invasion of the North.
The South would never win another battle on Union soil.
The Gettysburg Address
After the bloody battle, Abraham Lincoln traveled to the Gettysburg Battlefield to dedicate a
cemetery for the fallen soldiers.
Lincoln reiterated many of the principles set forth by the Declaration of Independence.
It would become one of the most well known public addresses in our nation’s history.
“Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new
nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engages in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so
conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are men on a great battle-field of that
war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those
who here gave their lives that the nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that
we should do this.
But in large sense, we can not dedicate-we can not consecrate-we can not hallow- this
ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggles here, have consecrated it, far above our
poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here,
but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to
the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather
for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us- that from these honored dead
we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotionthat we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain- that this nation, under
God, shall have a new birth of freedom- and that government of the people, by the people, shall
not perish from the earth.”
Grant Takes Charge
After victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg, the Union had the momentum.
Lincoln appointed Ulysses S. Grant as the overall commander of the Army of the Potomac
(Union).
Lincoln admired Grant’s determination.
Grant stated, “I propose to fight it out, if it takes all summer.”
Grant began an advance toward the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia.
“Grant stood by me when I was crazy, and I stood by him when he was drunk, and now
we stand by each other.” William Tecumseh Sherman
Sherman’s March
Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman had developed a close friendship throughout the war.
Sherman became Grant’s second in command.
While Grant focused on attacking Confederate forces at Richmond, Sherman took his troops
South to attack Atlanta, the South’s main supply center.
Sherman and his men marched across Georgia destroying everything in their path.
“I would make this war as severe as possible, and show no symptoms of tiring till the South
begs for mercy.”
Total War
Sherman conducted what he called “total war.”
Destroying everything in their path, Sherman’s men continued marching and conquering the
Carolina’s.
The South began carrying out a “scorched earth policy” destroying everything that they left
behind so that the Union Army could not take any of their supplies.
Sherman mercilessly destroyed everything in his path.
Sherman’s men traversed over 650 miles into enemy territory in less than 100 days.
He captured 3 state capitals, losing less than 6,000 men out of 60,000.
It is estimated Sherman destroyed approximately $1,000,000,000 worth of property.
He destroyed Southern railroads, eliminating their communication system.
The twisted railroad ties were called “Sherman’s Neckties.”
Sherman’s destruction broke the back of the South.
On April 26, 1865 Confederate General Joseph Johnston officially surrendered his army
to William T. Sherman.
Grant Places Petersburg Under Siege
Petersburg was a major railroad center for the South.
Grant knew that if the Union could take Petersburg, the South would be unable to get supplies.
The Union dug trenches around the city.
Union casualties- 40,000
Confederate casualties- 28,000
Eventually the city fell.
Lincoln Favors Leniency
With defeat on the horizon, the Confederates began seeking a peace negotiation.
Many Northerners wanted to see the South punished harshly for causing a war of such great
death and destruction.
But Lincoln leaned toward a more forgiving punishment stating, “with malice toward none,
(Americans) should do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace.”
Lincoln feared that a harsh punishment would cause animosity from the South.
Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse
After Petersburg, the Confederates abandoned the capital of Richmond.
The Union soldiers burned it down.
Lee’s final hope was to reunite with troops in North Carolina, but was trapped by Union
soldiers at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia.
On April 9, 1865 Lee formally surrendered to Grant.
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In Texas African Americans celebrated June 19 , the day they received the news, as
“Juneteenth.”
Grant did not allow his men to gloat stating, “the war is over, the rebels are our countrymen
again.”
General George Meade is reported having yelled, “it’s all over!”
The rebels were allowed to take their horses and mules home to harvest their farms.
They laid their firearms in a pile.
Statistics
War cost:
North $6.1 billion, South- $2 billion
Casualties:
over 600,000 (over 350,000 Union and over 250,000)
Lincoln Assassinated
On April 14, 1865, days after Lee’s surrender, Lincoln decided to attend a play at Ford’s
Theatre.
They were watching “My American Cousin.”
Virginian actor and Confederate supporter John Wilkes Booth snuck into the balcony where the
Lincoln’s were sitting.
He fired a single shot into the back of Lincoln’s head.
He then leapt from the balcony shouting, “sic semper tyranis (death to tyrants)!” The motto of
the state of Virginia.
With a bullet lodged in his head, Lincoln died the next morning.
Booth was hunted down, trapped in a barn, and shot.
It was later revealed that Booth was part of a bigger plot to assassinate Lincoln, the Vice
President, and the Secretary of State.
Andrew Johnson was sworn in as the 17
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President.
U.S. Grant called Lincoln, “incontestably the greatest man I ever knew.”