The Civil War 9 th American Civilization Council Rock School District Course Textbook

Setting the Stage for War: Civil War begins in April 1861 when Confederate forces fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. Jefferson Davis (“President” of the “Confederate States of America”) – Claimed that the seceding states were fighting for the same “sacred right of self- government” that has inspired the American revolution and that the South would “seek no conquest… all we ask is to be left alone.” Anaconda Plan: Union’s plan to divide the Confederacy in ½ so they would gradually run out of resources. – Blockade Ports down the Mississippi River w/ gunboats

Early Battles: First Battle of Bull Run: Started well for the Union but tides turned when reinforcements helped the Confederates defeat the Union forces – The outcome made it clear that the North would need a large, well trained army to prevail against the South

War in the West Union blockaded Southern ports along the Atlantic, but the South used small, fast ships to smuggle some goods past the blockades. April 1862, – Union forces seized New Orleans (South’s largest city) and gained control of the Mississippi – Union general Ulysses S. Grant began a campaign to take the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers Control of the rivers would split Tennessee in ½ Provide the Union with a route into confederate territories All of Kentucky and most of Western Tennessee eventually fell to Northern forces

War in the East Union General George B. McClellan sets out to capture Richmond, Virginia (Confederate Capitol) In June 1862, Confederate General Robert E. Lee begins a series of attacks on McClellan’s forces – Two sides suffered more than 30,000 casualties combined – Battle of Antietam: Bloodiest one day battle in American history 6,000 soldiers killed Another 17,000 wounded

Battle of Antietam Lee finally retreats to Virginia The outcome convinces the British to wait and see how the war progressed before getting involved. Political Impact: Union victory convinces Lincoln that it’s time to officially end slavery in the South

The Emancipation Proclamation Most Democrats opposed ending slavery, while Republicans were divided With Union casualties rising, many Northerners began to agree that slavery had to end, both to punish the South and make the soldiers’ sacrifices worthwhile The Proclamation: A decree by President Lincoln freeing all enslaved persons in states of rebellion. – Because it only freed African Americans in states at war with the Union, it did address slavery in the border states – By its very existence, the Proclamation transformed the conflict from a war to preserve the union into a fight to end slavery

Turning Points and Final Battles Vicksburg: (Last Southern stronghold on the Mississippi) Grant puts the city under siege by cutting off food supplies and bombarding it until the defenders gave up. – Starving troops surrender on July 4 th, 1863 Battle of Gettysburg: – Pickett's Charge: Lee orders 15,000 men to make a massive assault on Union forces – The assault caused 7,000 casualties in less than ½ an hour but never broke the Union lines – Union victory: General Lee and Confederate survivors retreat back to Virginia

Gettysburg’s Impact on the War Turning Point in the East Union casualties: 23,000 Confederate casualties: 28,000 (More than 1/3 of Lee’s army) Strengthened the Republicans politically (Anti-Slavery) Ensured once and for all that the British would not get involved

War Ends Lee surrenders to Grant in April of 1865 Grant’s generous terms guaranteed that the Union would not prosecute Confederate forces for treason – He even let Confederates take their horses home

Next Steps: With the war finally over ( ) Lincoln makes a speech describing his plan to restore the Southern states to the Union – Included allowing African Americans to participate in Southern state governments John Wilkes Booth hears this speech and says to a friend “This is the last speech he will ever make.” While Lincoln was watching a play with his wife at Ford’s Theatre, Booth slipped quietly behind the President and shot him in the back of the head during the 3 rd act The President died the next morning

Civil War: Lasting Impacts Saved the Union and strengthened the power of the federal government Transformed society by ending slavery Left the South socially and economically devastated Many unresolved questions for the future of our country, specifically… – 1. What steps do we take to allow the Confederacy back into the Union? – 2. How hard should we be on the South for their rebellion?