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The Civil War Begins
Lincoln’s 1st Inauguration
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On March 4th the new president said he
had not had plans to end slavery in those
states where it already existed, but he
also said he would not accept secession.
He hoped to resolve the national crisis
without warfare
Abraham Lincoln
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Lincoln’s main
goal was “to
preserve the
Union”
Fort Sumter
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On April 12, 1861, Confederate
troops fired on Ft. Sumter, thus
beginning the Civil War
George McClellan
A talented, but,
“by the book”
general who
resisted taking
chances
 This frustrated
Lincoln
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Robert E. Lee
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Opposed Secession and slavery
Had been offered the head of the Union
Army, but declined
Accepted control of the Confederate Army
out of duty to his home state of Virginia
Was unconventional in warfare, often
taking risks
Robert E. Lee
Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson
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Lee’s top general
His death was a
turning point in
the war
Lee: “Jackson
has lost his left
arm, I have lost
my right”
Ulysses S. Grant
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Early success was
out west
Won battle of
Vicksburg
Took over head of
Union Army
Defeated the
Confederacy
William Sherman
Led the “March
to the Sea”
 Burned
everything in his
path through
Georgia and
South Carolina

The Anaconda Plan
The Union’s war plan
 Blockade of Southern ports
 Gain control of the Mississippi River
and split the Confederacy
 Capture the Confederate capital of
Richmond

Bull Run/Manassas
First major battle of the Civil War
 Confederates win
 Shows that the war was not going to
be quick and easy

Antietam
On September 17, 1862, McClellan
launched a surprise attack at
Antietam
 The attack was the single bloodiest
day of the war
 After battle, Lincoln issues the
Emancipation Proclamation

Politics of the War
Lincoln declared martial law in
Maryland and suspended writ of
habeas corpus (cannot be imprisoned
w/o appearing before a judge)
 Lincoln instituted the draft
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Politics of the War
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Copperheads: Union Democrats who
criticized Lincoln and the war