Download The American Civil War 1861

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8 Grade Review
Civil War
The American Civil War
1861-1865
Who: American citizens
What: A war between members of the same
group or country
When: 1861-1865
Where: The United States of America
Why: Some states disagreed with the
American government about the issue of
slavery, and they wanted to be their own
country.
The Union States
Also called:
*The North
*The Yankees
Army led by:
Ulysses S. Grant
Political views:
Did not agree with slavery
Soldiers’ Uniform:
Blue
Confederate States
Also called:
*The South
*The Rebels
Army led by:
Robert E. Lee
Political views:
Wanted to continue slavery
Soldiers’ Uniform:
Grey
Important People
Abraham Lincoln: The
President of the United States during
the time of the Civil War. He wanted
to abolish, or end, slavery.
Harriet Tubman: Created the
“Underground Railroad” for the
slaves to use to escape to the north.
“The Gettysburg Address”
In this immortal
speech,
Abraham
Lincoln pays
tribute to the
soldiers at
Gettysburg and
the noble cause
for which they
gave their lives.
The Civil War Begins

Abraham Lincoln is elected President of
the United States. During the election, he
had spoken out strongly against the
spread of slavery and hoped that one day
it would end.
Remain United
Lincoln hoped to prevent a war. “We are
not enemies, but friends,” Lincoln told
Southerners after taking the oath of office.
“We must not be enemies.” But time was
running out.
South Carolina secedes

Shortly after the
election of Lincoln,
South Carolina
declared “the United
States of America is
hereby dissolved” and
seceded from the
Union. Six other
states soon followed.
A New Country Formed

Together these seven
states formed a new
country. They called
the new country the
Confederate States of
America. They
elected Jefferson
Davis as President.
Fort Sumter

President Lincoln received
word that supplies were
running out at Fort
Sumter, located off the
coast of South Carolina.
If supplies did not come
soon, they would have to
surrender the fort to the
Confederacy
A Difficult Decision

Lincoln had to make
an important decision.
He made the decision
he thought would be
best. He would send
supplies ships to the
fort. Then he waited
to see what
happened.
Jefferson’s Response

Now Jefferson Davis
had to make a
decision. He decided
to attack the fort
before the supply
ships arrived. On
April 12, 1861,
Confederates fired on
Fort Sumter.
The Outcome

The Civil War had
began.
The Long Road to a Union
Victory
African Regiments

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Not allowed to fight in the Civil War at the
beginning.
Formed their own regiments to fight for the
Union.
Congress agreed to let them enlist
186,000 enlisted
Not paid as well as white soldiers
Given poor equipment
Threatened by the confederate
Grant Leads the Union

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Ulysses S. Grant….a great general
Educated at West Point
Fought in war with Mexico
Made quick decisions in battle
Unconditional Surrender
Grant’s Most Important Battle

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Vicksburg, Mississippi
Surrounded and lay siege to the city.
Starved the people into surrender
Key Victory
Gave Union control of the Mississippi River
Lincoln gave Grant command of ALL Union
troops!
Gettysburg
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Pennsylvania
Robert E. Lee was invading
One of the most important Union victories
Over 7,000 soldiers died
November 19, 1863 Lincoln dedicated the
cemetery.
Less than 3 minutes, but became the most
famous speed in history
Lee Surrenders

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Lee’s Confederate
troops
Starving and clothes
were rags
Trapped
Forced to surrender at
the Appomattox
Courthouse on April
9, 1865
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Grant’s Union troops
Well-fed and well
supplied
Surrounded the
Confederate soldiers
THE WAR WAS OVER!