Download The Civil War

Jump Start
• Which State was the first to secede from the Union just
before the Civil War?
• What actions did the Confederacy take right after the first
‘wave’ of states seceded?
• The Civil War has been called by many names:
War of Southern Rebellion
War of Northern Aggression
War for Southern Independence
Second American Revolution
Why do you think so and whose names would each be?
The Civil War
First Shots
1861
Problems at Ft. Sumter
• So. consolidates their new country after Lincoln
gets elected. Seven states had seceded.
• South takes possession of Federal property in their
states - forts, land, banks, etc…
• Order Ft. Sumter to surrender to Confederacy, but
Major Anderson resists & advises Lincoln.
• Lincoln sends food, but not ammo & SC attacks!
Why did the Confederacy fire at
Fort Sumter in April, 1861?
Anaconda Plan
• Limited War to suppress insurrection & bring
the South back to the Union
• Naval Blockade of Southern ports & rivers to
surround and suffocate (Anaconda Snake)
• Soldiers would support Northern gunboats
along Mississippi River.
• Capture the Rebel Capital - Richmond
North’s Strategic Problems
• “Anaconda” took time building & waiting
• No. had to win…So. had only not to lose.
Revolutionary War parallels
• Big territory to watch over – lots of holes that
supplies could slip through.
• Keep ‘border’ states in the Union – CRITICAL TO WIN
Which States are ‘Border’
States?
Which States are ‘Border’ States
So. Strategic Problems
• “Fire-eaters” want a victory and attacks
• States don’t all agree on how war should be
fought.
• Keep troops home to defend their states
Articles of Confederation parallels
• Big territory to defend – scattered forces
Strategic Army Deployments
1861
• North – Along the Potomac River - must
defend Washington
– Federal Arsenals & along key rivers
• South – Key rail lines – must defend the few
that it had.
– Around Richmond, CSA’s new capital
Results of Bull Run
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Northern caution about invading Virginia.
Renews efforts to prepare for war.
Authorizes 1 million new recruits.
Makes McClellan Commander of Army of the Potomac.
• Southern confidence explodes
• Reassured many that they had won the war
• Protected the South against an invasion for many
months – uncertainty that No. could win
1862 – Rivers & the West
• Ulysses S Grant headed Army of the West
• Wins 2 battles in Tennessee using river gunboats
and aggressive attack tactics.
• At Battle of Shiloh Creek – Grant turns loss into win
• Forces Rebel Army from ‘Border States’
• Gives “Anaconda” a chance succeed – control the
Mississippi
Forts Henry & Donelson, TN
Ironclad Ships
Grant & Farragut used “ironclads” on rivers to help win in the West
New Weapons of War
President Lincoln looks on as a new machine gun is test fired, late 1861.
Shiloh Creek, TN
Immense Casualties
• Another Union Win in the West
• 20,000 killed and wounded (both sides)
• Almost double that of Bull Run (Manassas)
• Convinced both sides of a long war.
• Launched country into TOTAL WAR.
Threatening the Capitals
• “Anaconda” Part III called for capturing Richmond, but
McClellan kept finding reasons to avoid attacking.
• Finally meets Lee’s army outside Richmond in
“Seven Days” Battles.
• Lee continuously outmaneuvers McClellan & he
retreats abandoning the siege of Richmond.
• Gets lucky & finds Rebel orders – engages at Antietam
and win a big victory.