Download THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR

1861-1865
Causes
There were many causes for the outbreak of the Civil War. Many people agree
slavery was the main cause for the war. In addition, sectional differences led to
conflicts. Northern and Southern states were developing different lifestyles and
cultures. Differences in the economic life of the North and the South also
contributed to the conflict. The North’s economy focused on finance and
manufacturing, and the South specialized in crops and agricultural trade. Southern
states also began to question the extent of the federal government’s power.
The Leaders
Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth
President of the United States. He
opposed the expansion of slavery. A
Republican, Lincoln led the Union
during the Civil War. John Wilkes Booth
assassinated Lincoln in Washington,
D.C., on April 14, 1865.
Jefferson Davis was President of the
Confederate States of America. During the
Mexican War, he had been an officer in
the United States Army. Davis also had
served as the United States Secretary of
War. When the South surrendered, he was
charged with treason and prohibited from
running for public office again.
A Divided Nation
Comparing Northern and Southern Societies
The North’s population was three
times that of the South. Most other
countries recognized the Union as
the government in America.
However, Britain and France had
friendly relations with the
Confederacy and considered aiding
the South. The North also was more
affluent.
The South had about nine million
people, including about three million
slaves. The average Southerner was not
as wealthy as the average person living
in the North. About 90 percent of
American industry and railroads were
in the North. Reliance on slave labor
discouraged the creation of new jobs in
the South. This discouraged
immigration, and most immigrants
settled in the North.
Coordinated and balanced economy vs.
distorted, agriculture-based economy
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NORTH
22,000,000 population
Industrial economy
109 manufacturing
plants
22,000 miles of
railroad
90% of industrial
power
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SOUTH
9,000,000
 includes 3.5 M slaves
Agricultural economy
 Exports, not food.
 31,000 manufacturing
plants
 9,000 miles of railroad
 mostly export crops
(cotton, tobacco) so
food was scarce
- population - 22 million
- 90% of industrial goods, esp. munitions
- efficient railroad system
- controlled the navy, which could be
used to blockade southern ports and shut
down the South’s economy.
- but would have to fight an offensive war
(long supply lines, unfamiliar territory...)
- capable military leaders, e.g. Ulysses S. Grant
Union Strategy
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Aggressive offensive to crush the rebellion.
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Attrition
Gen Winfield Scott’s Anaconda Plan
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Links economics and combat
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Implemented piecemeal and half-heartedly
Take Richmond
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Blockade and seizure of ports
Thought to be CSA center of gravity.
Ironworks
Urgency (3 month enlistments)
Don’t allow Confederacy to rest.
Napoleonic tactics.
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Confederates had excellent generals too Robert E. Lee and Thomas Jackson
Defending is always easier than attacking (familiar w/climate and territory, possible
psychological advantages)
Farmers fight better than factory workers
Profitable economy based on cotton exports
But disadvantages…a smaller pop. of 9
million (inc. 3.5 million slaves)
had to import industrial goods; very
little munitions production
Confederate Strategy
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Defend and delay until Union gives up.
Need support/intervention from Europe.
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Emancipation Proclamation made foreign support
politically unviable.
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Used as a strategic “weapon” by Union?
Threaten Washington, and keep the war
distanced from Richmond.
Sought decisive battle that would convince
the Union it wasn’t worth it (Gettysburg?).
Lee favored tactical defense.
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Dug in regiment can tie down a division, allowing
the remainder of forces to maneuver and attack.
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The S. was looking for an add. adv., namely an
alliance w/ GB (since GB industry was dependent
on "King Cotton")...but GB was wary of events
and did not want to become involved:
 GB had stockpiled cotton as the conflict was
escalating; they had also found other sources
(Madras, India)
 most Br. workers who lost their jobs in cotton
factories had been able to find work in the
new munitions factories that were mostly
supplying the N.
 most Br. citizens resented slavery
 Br. crop failures had led to increased grain
trade w/ the N.
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A Br. ship. the Trent, was intercepted by the N. on its
way to GB from the S.; it was carrying S.
"ambassadors"...the N. resented Br. interference,
leading some to call for war; Lincoln simply defused
the situation by releasing the ship and the southern
"agents"
GB had also sold several ships to the S., namely the
Florida and the Alabama - they had sunk many n.
ships
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A few southerners had
managed to get into Canada,
from which they launched
several raids into the N.;
including a number of bank
robberies in Vermont (the best
known was the St. Alban's
Raid)...some Northerners
wanted to invade Canada as
punishment
this forced Canadians to begin
to consider a Confederation to
protect themselves against the
US...by 1867, GB agreed w/ the
Canadian "Fathers of
Confederation" (Canada had
become an expensive hassle
for the Br…)
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It freed the
slaves only in
states that have
seceded from the
Union.
It did not free
slaves in border
states.
Major Battles of the Civil War
Fort Sumter
April 12, 1861
The first shots of the Civil War were fired
at Fort Sumter. Major Robert Anderson of
the United States Army had moved his
troops to the base because he feared a
Confederate attack. In the early morning
of April 12, 1861, the Confederates
launched an attack. Northern troops under
Anderson’s command returned fire, but
were ineffective. The Confederacy
continued its attack with prolonged
gunfire, and the Union troops in the fort
surrendered a day later. One Confederate
soldier and four Union soldiers were
killed in the battle.
South Carolina
Virginia
First Bull Run/Manassas
July 21, 1861
The First Battle of Bull Run took place on
July 21, 1861. General Irvin McDowell led
the Union army toward Richmond,
Virginia. General P.G.T. Beauregard’s
Confederate troops intercepted them. The
battle lasted about five hours. Confederate
forces began to retreat due to losses, except
General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson who
continued to fight until reinforcements
arrived. The reenergized Confederates
pushed McDowell’s forces out of the area.
Union casualties were high, almost three
thousand; and the Confederates suffered
two thousand casualties.
Shiloh
Tennessee
April 6-7, 1862
The Battle of Shiloh raged from April 6
until April 7, 1862. Union troops had
found Confederate General Albert
Johnston’s forces near Corinth Road,
but they were not prepared for an
attack. The Southern troops forced them
to retreat toward the river. Although the
Confederate soldiers had gained ground,
they suffered many losses. On the
second day the Union army claimed
ground in the early morning, throwing
off Beauregard’s troops. The
Confederacy, however, had an
exceptional defense and stopped the
Union soldiers before the Confederates
retreated.
The War at Sea
The Battle of the Ironclads also is known
as the Battle of Hampton Roads and the
Battle of the Monitor and the Merrimack.
This battle was fought off Sewell’s Point near
Hampton Roads, Virginia. It was the first
naval battle between two ironclad ships, the
Union’s USS Monitor and the Confederacy’s
CSS Virginia, which was rebuilt from the
USS Merrimack.
The battle took place over two days, and
the Virginia destroyed many of the Union’s
wooden ships. The next day, the two ironclads
clashed at sea, and the Virginia was damaged.
Neither side claimed victory in this battle, but
the battle revealed the future of naval warfare.
Ironclad, steam-driven ships were at a
decisive advantage against wooden sailing
vessels.
Antietam
Maryland
September 17, 1862
The Battle of Antietam, also known as
the Battle of Sharpsburg, was fought
on September 16–18, 1862. It was a
confrontation between Union and
Confederate forces under Generals
George McClellan and Robert E. Lee.
Federal armies brutalized the
Confederacy; the combined casualties
were more than twenty-three thousand.
The Union pushed Lee and his troops
back to Antietam Creek, but the
stubborn Confederate general
counterattacked with all his troops. The
two sides fought to a standstill, and
both armies withdrew.
Fredericksburg
December 13, 1862
Fredericksburg was the site of a battle
in December 1862. Union General
Ambrose Burnside led a march on
Richmond, but was delayed for more
than two weeks because of latearriving supplies. General Lee
positioned his army, deploying snipers
to pick off Federal troops. Confederate
artillery decimated Union forces in
their attempts to capture Marye’s
Heights. Many Union soldiers were left
in the open after crossing military
pontoon bridges, and they became easy
prey for Confederate troops. Burnside
had no choice but to retreat with the
remnants of his army.
Virginia
Mississippi
Vicksburg
May 2-July 9, 1863
The lengthy Battle of Vicksburg began
in Warren County on May 13, 1863.
The North and the South considered
Vicksburg an important stronghold.
Union General Ulysses S. Grant
launched massive assaults on
Vicksburg and terrorized the
inhabitants. Confederates achieved a
minimal victory at Milliken’s Bend
against untrained black troops. Federal
troops pushed Confederate forces
back as the size of the Union forces
continued to increase. Confederate
General John Pemberton surrendered
to Grant on July 3, 1863.
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Lee realized that the South was in dire straits and decided that it was
crucial to attack the North on its own territory
July 1-3, 1863 - BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG, Pa.
Confed. bombardment; Union held firm
on July 3, General Pickett led 15,000 Confed. Troops across open fields Union mowed them down (= "Pickett’s Charge")
Lee was defeated and retreated to Virgnia
Gettysburg is the largest battle in the history of the Western hemisphere.
Over 100, 000 people died in 3 days It was the last time the South
invaded the North.
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that from these honored dead we take
increased devotion to that cause for which
they gave the last full measure of devotion
-- that 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, for the people, shall
not perish from the earth.
Abe Lincoln
Virginia
Wilderness
May 5-7, 1864
Union General Grant continued his march
to Richmond, Virginia, planning to use
three armies to lay siege to the city. He
wanted to cut Lee’s food and artillery
supply lines and to block a Southern
retreat. Grant’s troops encountered
Confederate General Richard Ewell’s
soldiers. The Union forces outnumbered
the Confederate. Because of gunfire and
the Wilderness’ dry land, forest fires were
sparked. Confederates achieved some
success and inflicted Union casualties.
Grant refused to retreat and continued his
march to Richmond.
Virginia
Cold Harbor
May 31-June 12, 1864
The Battle of Cold Harbor lasted from
May 31 to June 12, 1864, in Hanover
County, Virginia. Union General Philip
Sheridan led a successful attack against
Confederate troops, which lasted until
the Confederacy called reinforcements
to the area. Sheridan followed in similar
fashion, enlisting the help of General
Grant. As in the Battle of Wilderness,
Grant battled on, launching his soldiers
at the Confederacy. The Grant-led army
suffered almost five thousand losses.
Grant’s march to Richmond had been
thrown off, so now he attempted to
regain footing in Petersburg.
Sherman’s March to the Sea
November 15-December 20, 1864
As the Union army moved through
the South, they destroyed train tracks
by heating the rails and bending them
into a bow. This became known as
“Sherman’s Neckties”
Union General William T. Sherman
already had captured Atlanta, but he
wanted to leave sixty thousand troops
there while he marched the rest of his
army to the Atlantic Ocean through
Savannah, Georgia. During this time,
Confederate General John Hood had led
troops in a raid on Tennessee, leaving
Sherman’s soldiers to face fewer than
five thousand Confederate soldiers.
Sherman’s troops burned buildings and
infrastructures along the way,
destroying many towns and cities.
Sherman’s troops defeated the depleted
Confederate army and took Savannah
on December 22, 1864.
The Monitor
After the Emancipation
Proclamation blacks
began to join the
Union Army
 Initially they were only
used for manual labor
 Eventually, Blacks saw
live combat
 54th regiment out of
Massachusetts
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William Carney
The South Surrenders
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April 3, 1865 - Grant took
Richmond Va. - final blow to
Lee's army
Lee surrenders on April 9,
1865 at APPOMATTOX
COURTHOUSE
All Confed. troops forced to
take an oath of loyalty to
U.S.
otherwise, terms of
surrender were lenient
Lincoln didn't want a
humiliated South and
further conflict
issue of states' rights now
"solved"- fed. gov't had
asserted its status
After four bloody years of civil war,
the South was defeated.
Over 618,000 military deaths during Civil War.
Impact on Future Conflicts
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Expanding battlefield due to new technology.
Defense is favored.
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fortification.
Beginnings of trend toward dispersal and
increased “individual” combat.
Shift to Total War
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Whole government had to be removed for success.
Civil and military “targets”.
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Sherman’s March to the Sea.
Emancipation Proclamation.
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POLITICAL / ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS
w/o Southerners in fed. gov't, many changes occurred that
benefited the North:
1) Homestead Act passed by Congress in 1862 - encouraged W.
expansion w/o slavery
- 165 acres given to anyone who would farm it 5 yrs.
2) Union-Pacific Railway was authorized - great trade potential,
focused on the Northern States.
3) Tariffs were put in place to protect Northern industry
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4) Congress established a single
federal currency - same value in
all states - known as
"Greenbacks"
5) to cover war debts, Union
gov't issued war bonds and
intro'd income tax
6) in a further illustration of fed.
gov't power, Lincoln's gov't
restricted civil liberties so
nothing would detract from
Union war effort (suspended
Habeas Corpus)
- free press/ speech also
interrupted
7) 1864 Election - only in Union
- pitted Republican Lincoln
against Democrat General
McClellan  Lincoln won easily,
assuring that war will continue
(N. Democrats wanted an end)
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EFFECTS OF CIVIL WAR
creation of a single unified country
abolition of slavery
increased power to fed. government – killed
the issue of states rights
U.S. now an industrial nation
a stronger sense of nationalism
w. lands increasingly opened to settlement
South was economically and physically
devastated, w/ the plantation system
crippled...thus Reconstruction (rebuilding
the U.S.) - but a deep hatred of the North
remained...