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The Four Years of the Civil War
1861-1865
1861
Robert E. Lee rejects the North’s offer to be
the General of the North. He could not fight
against his home state. He becomes the
head of the South/Confederates.
Fort Sumter- the start of the war (South
Carolina). The South fires on the Union
troops protecting Ft. Sumter.
Bull Run (Manassas), VA- 1861
Bull Run (Manassas)
Showed the ability of Confederate leaders and tactics.
(One of their greatest advantages). The Union was
forced to retreat.
The first major battle of the Civil War.
Lesson learned: This war was going to last longer than 3
months. This was an eye-opening experience for the
North.
Generals: South- “Stonewall” Jackson, North- McDowell,
McClellan
Battles: 1862
1862- Antietam (Sharpsburg, Maryland)
Antietam- bloodiest single day in America’s history (26,000
dead or wounded total)
While technically a tie, the Union declared it a victory.
Generals: South- Lee
North- McClellan
Union used this victory to issue the Emancipation
Proclamation.
◦ Freed all slaves in the South (secession states only).
◦ Largely supported by abolitionists.
◦ This is an addition to the Northern reason for fighting the war. Not
only for preservation of the Union, but know the war is about ending
slavery too
The Four Years of the Civil War
1861-1865
1863Chancellorsville, VA- Great
victory for the Confederates
(South).
Stonewall Jackson accidentally
shot by “friendly fire” and
killed by his own men. His loss
was a major blow to the South.
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania1863
In terms of lives lost, more Americans lost their lives in this 3 day battle
than any other.
This battle marks the turning point of the Civil War.
The South lost so many soldiers that Lee was forced to retreat and fight
a defensive war for the remainder of the Civil War.
Generals: Lee- South
Meade- North
Deadliest battle in American History.
Pickett’s Charge- famous failed assault by the South at Gettysburg.
This event will lead to the Gettysburg Address by Abe Lincoln.
This event will lead to the Gettysburg Address.
Gettysburg Address- Lincoln’s Most
Famous Speech. What does it mean?
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation,
conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we
are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so
dedicated, can long endure. We are met here on a great battlefield of that war. We have come
to dedicate a portion of it as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that
nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But in a larger sense we can not dedicate - we can not consecrate - we can not hallow this
ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled, 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 can never forget what they did here.
It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they have, thus
far, so nobly carried on. 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 here gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead
shall not have died in vain; that this nation shall have a new birth of freedom; and that this
government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Gettysburg Address
Main two points:
1.
That the job is not yet done, and that the nation must be reunited
to keep what we fought for in the Revolutionary War (Our freedom
and Democratic system).
2.
Pay respect to the dead from both sides in America’s most deadly
battle.
Vicksburg, Mississippi- 1863
Allowed the Union to take control of the Mississippi River and split the South in two.
Remember this is one of the major ideas of the Anaconda
Plan.
Confederate soldiers dug deep into the sides of the hills for
protections.
Advanced military technology effectively trapped men in
these caves.
Generals: Grant- North
Sherman’s March to the Sea
1864
March to the Sea (Atlanta)- William Sherman, of the North, uses “total
war” to destroy Atlanta and most of the South.
It devastates the Confederacy as Sherman uses
the new form of warfare.
The Four Years of the Civil War
1863-1865
Total War
Total War- destroy everything in your path that
can be used by the enemy.
Goal: Make the South beg for the war to end.
Destroy homes, factories, animals, crops, etc.
End of the War- Appomattox
Surrender at Appomattox, VA
1865
After experiencing months of total war- total destruction of all
food, and supplies, Lee realized that the North’s blockade,
destruction of the railroads and control of the Mississippi River
would soon lead to mass starvation of Confederate of Confederate
troops and citizens.
Lee surrenders to Grant after the Burning of Atlanta and the battle
of Appomattox.
Although known as “ Unconditional Surrender,” Grant offered
generous surrender terms.