The American Civil War 1861–1865

Causes Slavery Economic differences between North and South Amount of power from the federal government

How does this painting, Tragic Prelude, represent the debate over slavery prior to the Civil War?

A Divided Nation Comparing Northern and Southern Societies 9 million people (3 million slaves) Average Southerner not as wealthy as average Northerner 90% of percent of American industry and railroads were in the North Fewer immigrants North has 3x the population of the South More money Most other countries recognized the Union as the government in America However, Britain and France had considered aiding the South.

The Leaders Jefferson Davis – president of Confederate States of America Had served as US Secretary of War Lincoln (16th president) Opposed expansion of slavery Led Union during CW Killed by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865.

Strategies Anaconda Plan King Cotton North planned to: Blockade the South to stop trade Control the Mississippi River Divide and isolate sections of the South King Cotton Defensive strategy in the south Try to ally with Britain and France, but must show the Confederacy is strong Attack Union territory to draw Union troops out of the South

Major Battles of the Civil War

Fort Sumter April 12, 1861 First shots of the Civil War South Carolina First shots of the Civil War Victory for the South 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.

First Bull Run/Manassas July 21, 1861 Virginia First Bull Run/Manassas July 21, 1861 Union heading towards Richmond, intercepted by Confederacy Battle last 5 hours Confederacy begins to retreat, then they are reinforced Union loses about 3,000 Confederacy loses about 2,000 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. Video

Antietam September 16-18, 1862 Video Maryland Union armies battered the Confederacy Union pushed Lee’s troops back, but they countered Ended as a stalemate More than 23,000 killed—bloodiest day in American history. 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. Video

The Emancipation Proclamation January 1, 1863 Issued by Lincoln Part of a two-part plan to guarantee freedom to slaves (except in some border states) Confederacy claimed Lincoln could not issue laws for states that he didn’t have control of Video

Mississippi Vicksburg May 2-July 9, 1863 Considered an important stronghold by both sides Union increases in size, pushes back Confederacy Confederacy surrenders 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.

Pennsylvania Gettysburg July 1-3, 1863 Confederacy plans several attacks, Lee relentlessly attacks, but isn’t successful Confederacy retreats Turning point of the war. Ensured England would not enter the war on the side of the South. Lee forced to retreat. The Battle of Gettysburg began as the Battle of Vicksburg was ending. Confederate General Lee forced federal troops, under General George C. Meade’s command, to lose ground as the Confederate forces attempted to take the city. Lee planned several attacks, including attacks at Peach Orchard and Devil’s Den. The Union army fought back, repelling Confederate attacks and sending them back to Culp’s Hill. Lee was relentless and sent his army back into battle, but to no avail. He eventually began a retreat toward Williams

The Gettysburg Address November 19, 1863 Video Lincoln’s speech to dedicate Soldier’s National Cemetery Speech contains only two hundred seventy-two words…one of the greatest speeches in American history.

Sherman’s March to the Sea November 15-December 20, 1864 Union had taken Atlanta, but Sherman wanted to march most of the army to the Atlantic Through Savannah, Georgia They burned buildings and infrastructure along the way Sherman’s troops defeated the Confederate army 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. 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”

Surrender at Appomattox April 9, 1865 Virginia Surrender at Appomattox April 9, 1865 Lee surrendered his army Grant allowed the southerners to return home with their horses. General Lee surrendered his Confederate army at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, on April 9, 1865. Lee’s army had diminished, which contributed to Union General Grant’s many victories near the end of the war. In a sign of respect, Grant allowed Lee to keep his saber and horse. General Joseph Johnston was the last Confederate general who continued to fight. He still believed that the South could win the war. Johnston’s troops eventually fell to federal troops, and he surrendered to General Sherman on April 26, 1865. Video

Assassination of Lincoln April 14, 1865 Lincoln was attending a play at Ford’s Theatre in DC Shot in the back of the head by John Wilkes Booth Booth was a loyal Confederated, thought if he killed Lincoln the South could triumph President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated at the end of the Civil War. He was killed on April 14, 1865, while attending a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., with his wife and two other people. Lincoln was watching Our American Cousin when John Wilkes Booth shot him in the back of the head. Booth was a loyal Confederate, and he thought the Confederacy could triumph if Lincoln were dead. Booth jumped off the balcony and broke his ankle, but managed to escape the theater. Lincoln died of his fatal wound the next morning. Video

Legacy of the War Video Bloodiest war in US history More than 600,000 killed Led to the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments Abolished slavery Established the supremacy of the federal government The Civil War was the bloodiest war in American history. It has been referred to as “The War Between the States,” “The Brother’s War,” and the “War of Northern Aggression.” More than 600,000 Americans lost their lives, and countless others were wounded severely. The Civil War led to passage of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth , and Fifteen Amendments to the United States Constitution. These amendments outlawed slavery, granted African Americans United States citizenship, and granted African-American males the right to vote. Although equal treatment under the law for African Americans would not be enforced until almost a hundred years later, the Civil War abolished slavery and established the supremacy of the federal government. Video

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