1 The Civil War GA Studies

2 Why It’s Important The Civil War transformed the U.S. It devastated the economy of the South while contributing to the rapid economic growth of the North & West. While African Americans gained their freedom, a legacy of bitterness between the North & South was left behind that lasted for generations. The war also established the power of the federal government over the states.

3 Fallout from Lincoln’s Election By February 1861, 7 states had left the Union and formed the Confederacy By February 1861, 7 states had left the Union and formed the Confederacy They called themselves the Confederate States of America (CSA) They called themselves the Confederate States of America (CSA) They elected Jefferson Davis, a MS senator, as president and Alexander Stephens (GA) as vice-president They elected Jefferson Davis, a MS senator, as president and Alexander Stephens (GA) as vice-president

4 Southern Aggression Confederate troops captured several southern federal forts (including Ft. Pulaski in Savannah) Confederate troops captured several southern federal forts (including Ft. Pulaski in Savannah) The Confederate army then demanded the surrender of Ft. Sumter (SC), but the Union general there refused The Confederate army then demanded the surrender of Ft. Sumter (SC), but the Union general there refused On April 12, 1861, Confederate forces fired upon Ft. Sumter and the Union surrendered it On April 12, 1861, Confederate forces fired upon Ft. Sumter and the Union surrendered it

5 Consequences of Ft. Sumter The attack on Ft. Sumter caused VA, NC, TN & AR to join the Confederacy The attack on Ft. Sumter caused VA, NC, TN & AR to join the Confederacy These four new states brought much needed soldiers, animals, industry and food to the Confederacy These four new states brought much needed soldiers, animals, industry and food to the Confederacy The Confederacy chose Richmond, VA as its capital (only 100 miles from the Union capital of Washington, DC) The Confederacy chose Richmond, VA as its capital (only 100 miles from the Union capital of Washington, DC)

6 Border States 4 states that still allowed slavery remained in the Union: MO, KY, MD & DE 4 states that still allowed slavery remained in the Union: MO, KY, MD & DE The people of these states were divided over which side to support The people of these states were divided over which side to support Thousands of people in the Border States left to join the armies of the South, but the Border States remained in the Union Thousands of people in the Border States left to join the armies of the South, but the Border States remained in the Union

Resources of the North Strengths Larger population to support war effort Larger population to support war effort More industry & more abundant resources More industry & more abundant resources Better banking system Better banking system Better Navy Better Navy Larger & more efficient railway network Larger & more efficient railway network Government leadership Government leadership Weaknesses North would have to invade & hold the South North would have to invade & hold the South Public opinion in North was divided over war Public opinion in North was divided over war Many thought South had good chance to win Many thought South had good chance to win 7

Resources of the South Strengths Population was extremely supportive of war (motivated) Population was extremely supportive of war (motivated) Fighting in familiar territory (play defense) Fighting in familiar territory (play defense) Military leadership was far superior Military leadership was far superior People had strong military tradition People had strong military tradition Weaknesses Smaller population Smaller population Few factories to make weapons & supplies Few factories to make weapons & supplies Produced less than ½ as much food as North Produced less than ½ as much food as North Less than ½ the amount of railroads & fewer trains than North Less than ½ the amount of railroads & fewer trains than North 8

9 War Goals & Strategies: North Main goal at beginning was to win the war & bring Southern States back to Union Main goal at beginning was to win the war & bring Southern States back to Union Ending slavery was not major goal at first, but this changed as war went on Ending slavery was not major goal at first, but this changed as war went on Plan included 3 major strategies Plan included 3 major strategies – Using superior Navy, North would blockade (close) Southern ports (to prevent supplies from entering & South from earning money from cotton exports – Gain control of MS River (cutting supply lines & splitting Confederacy) – Capture Richmond, the Confederate capital

10 War Goals & Strategies: South Primary goal was to gain recognition as independent nation Primary goal was to gain recognition as independent nation This would allow them to preserve traditional way of life, and slavery This would allow them to preserve traditional way of life, and slavery Their defensive strategy: Their defensive strategy: – Hold onto as much territory as possible until the North got tired of fighting and recognized their independence – South expected Britain & France to pressure North to end war so cotton supply could be restored Offensively threaten DC & other Northern cities to persuade North they could not win Offensively threaten DC & other Northern cities to persuade North they could not win

11 American Against American Many families & friends were divided during the war by conflicting loyalties Many families & friends were divided during the war by conflicting loyalties Sometimes family members would face each other in combat Sometimes family members would face each other in combat Both sides eventually had to force men to go to battle by the process of conscription (draft) Both sides eventually had to force men to go to battle by the process of conscription (draft)

12 The Soldiers Most were inexperienced & many were young Most were inexperienced & many were young Average age of recruit was 25, but 40% were 21 or younger (some as young as 16) Average age of recruit was 25, but 40% were 21 or younger (some as young as 16) Soldiers came from all parts of country & all walks of life, but mostly from farms Soldiers came from all parts of country & all walks of life, but mostly from farms Union did not allow African Americans to serve at first, but they did serve later Union did not allow African Americans to serve at first, but they did serve later By summer of 1861: By summer of 1861: – Confederates (often called Rebels) numbered 112,000 – Union (often called Yankees) numbered 187,000 – By end of war, about 850,000 men fought for Confederacy, and 2.1 million men fought for Union

13 False Hopes When war began, both sides expected a brief conflict & early victory When war began, both sides expected a brief conflict & early victory – Southerners believed the North lacked the conviction necessary to win – One Northern paper predicted a win for the North within 30 days Some leaders saw the situation differently Some leaders saw the situation differently – William Tecumseh Sherman wrote, “I think it is to be a long war—very long—much longer than the politician thinks.” Sherman’s prediction would be correct Sherman’s prediction would be correct

14 Major Battles - Antietam Union Leader – George B. McClellan Union Leader – George B. McClellan Confederate Leader – Robert E. Lee Confederate Leader – Robert E. Lee The South had been experiencing some success before this point in the war The South had been experiencing some success before this point in the war Confederate States President, Jefferson Davis, hoped that if the South kept winning Britain and France would join their efforts Confederate States President, Jefferson Davis, hoped that if the South kept winning Britain and France would join their efforts Davis asked Lee to lead an offensive into Maryland Davis asked Lee to lead an offensive into Maryland

15 Antietam, cont. 2 Union soldiers found a copy of Lee’s orders for his army (wrapped around 3 cigars) 2 Union soldiers found a copy of Lee’s orders for his army (wrapped around 3 cigars) With the details of the plan in hand, McClellan was able to strategically plan for battle With the details of the plan in hand, McClellan was able to strategically plan for battle McClellan took his time allowing most of Lee’s troops to rally near Sharpsburg, MD McClellan took his time allowing most of Lee’s troops to rally near Sharpsburg, MD After the single bloodiest day of the war (6,000 were killed, 17,000 wounded) Lee withdrew & Union claimed victory After the single bloodiest day of the war (6,000 were killed, 17,000 wounded) Lee withdrew & Union claimed victory

16 Results of Antietam After Antietam, the Northern army gained confidence in their ability After Antietam, the Northern army gained confidence in their ability The battle also marked a change in the Northern war aims The battle also marked a change in the Northern war aims President Lincoln used the battle to take aim against slavery President Lincoln used the battle to take aim against slavery

17 Emancipation Proclamation Sept. 22, 1862 – Issued by Abraham Lincoln five days after the Battle of Antietam Sept. 22, 1862 – Issued by Abraham Lincoln five days after the Battle of Antietam Lincoln wanted the Confederate States to end the war, return to the Union, and end slavery Lincoln wanted the Confederate States to end the war, return to the Union, and end slavery

18 Emancipation Proclamation Lincoln stated that unless the South surrender by January 1863, “all slaves in states or districts in rebellion against the United States will be thenceforth and forever free” Lincoln stated that unless the South surrender by January 1863, “all slaves in states or districts in rebellion against the United States will be thenceforth and forever free” The South had a choice: The South had a choice: – Surrender and keep their slaves – Don’t surrender and the institution of slavery would be ended – Confederate leaders chose to continue to fight

19 Major Battles - Gettysburg In June, 1863, Lee moved north with an army of 75,000 In June, 1863, Lee moved north with an army of 75,000 Union General Hooker wanted to advance on Richmond, but Lincoln told him his main objective should be to attack Lee’s army Union General Hooker wanted to advance on Richmond, but Lincoln told him his main objective should be to attack Lee’s army Hooker began to make excuses for not attacking the Confederate forces, and was replaced by General George Meade Hooker began to make excuses for not attacking the Confederate forces, and was replaced by General George Meade Meade’s mission was to find & fight Lee’s forces while protecting Washington DC & Baltimore from Confederate attack Meade’s mission was to find & fight Lee’s forces while protecting Washington DC & Baltimore from Confederate attack

20 Major Battles - Gettysburg The two armies met by accident on July 1 near the small town of Gettysburg, PA The two armies met by accident on July 1 near the small town of Gettysburg, PA The battle began when Union cavalry surprised Rebel infantry raiding the town for shoes The battle began when Union cavalry surprised Rebel infantry raiding the town for shoes The North was outnumbered, and retreated to a line of hills south of the town where they established strong positions & prepared to defend the town The North was outnumbered, and retreated to a line of hills south of the town where they established strong positions & prepared to defend the town Although the South launched a strong attack, this strategic placement helped the North launch a strong counterattack which saved their position Although the South launched a strong attack, this strategic placement helped the North launch a strong counterattack which saved their position

21 Gettysburg Address At a ceremony dedicating a cemetery at Gettysburg, Lincoln gave a two-minute speech which became known as the Gettysburg Address At a ceremony dedicating a cemetery at Gettysburg, Lincoln gave a two-minute speech which became known as the Gettysburg Address In this speech, Lincoln declared that the dead in the war “shall not have died in vain, our nation would see new birth of freedom & the government of the people, by the people and for the people would not perish” In this speech, Lincoln declared that the dead in the war “shall not have died in vain, our nation would see new birth of freedom & the government of the people, by the people and for the people would not perish” Casualties: 51,112 Casualties: 51,112 (23,048 Union; 28,064 Confederate)