The Civil War And Reconstruction

3.2b Summarize the course of the Civil War and its impact on democracy, including the major turning points; the impact of the Emancipation Proclamation; the unequal treatment afforded to African- American military units; the geographic, political, and economic factors involved in the defeat of the Confederacy; and the ultimate defeat of the idea of secession.

The Emancipation Proclamation Lincoln demonstrated his political skill by his handling of the issue of emancipation of slaves. Lincoln initially hesitated to free the slaves because he feared this would undermine the unity of the North. ***When emancipation was announced it was promoted as a military measure against the South. However, the Emancipation Proclamation was a political and diplomatic document. ***Saw slavery as a “weapon of war” By making a goal of the war the liberation of slaves, Lincoln made it impossible for the British, whose population was strongly opposed to slavery, to continue to support the Southern states. ***By announcing his attention to issue the Proclamation in the fall and not making it effective until the 1 st of the year he gave the South one last chance to make peace.

The Emancipation Proclamation ***The Emancipation Proclamation did not immediately free any slaves. It did not attempt to free slaves in regions under Union control. Only states in rebellion on January 1, 1863 were commanded to free their slaves and Confederates were not likely to obey the President of the United States. Slaves were freed as their homeland was captured by Union forces or as they fled toward the Union Army.

The first reading of the Emancipation Proclamation

Gettysburg (July 1-4, 1863) Lee had again invaded the North General Meade followed his army and they met near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Lee was defeated so badly that he was never able to take the offensive again. Lincoln issues his famous Gettysburg Address.

The Battle of Vicksburg, May 15 th to July 4 th, 1863 Vicksburg was the last Confederate strong point on the Mississippi and Lincoln knew it was one of the keys to winning the war. After several aborted attacks Grant and his soldiers laid siege to the city. The town finally surrendered on July 4 th, 1863 because they were starving and had been reduced to eating horses, dogs and rats. The victory gave the Union control over the Mississippi River.

Sherman’s March General Grant became head of Union armies and changed the Union strategy to ‘total war.” Grant placed William T. Sherman in command of the western armies and orders him to march from Tennessee to Savannah, Georgia. During this famous march to the sea Sherman and his men destroyed everything. Civilians homes and businesses were burned making this the first modern war. He stopped in Atlanta, Georgia and when he left he burned the city. He also stopped and burned much of Columbia, S.C.

African-Americans and the war As you know the Emancipation Proclamation made it possible for African- Americans to serve in the U.S. army and navy. Many did so gallantly. However, they served in segregated units and served under white officers. They were poorly supplied and paid less than their white counterparts. The most famous Unit was the 54 th Massachusetts Regiment made famous by the movie Glory. (courageous assault on Ft. Wagner near Charleston) Over 100,000 blacks served in the Union Army.

Col. Shaw

Veterans Day March of the 54th

The Election of 1864 By 1864 many people were tired of the war and the killing. The Democratic Party nominated former General George B. McClellan to run against Lincoln. His platform included a negotiated peace with the south that would allow slavery to survive. Before the election Sherman captured Atlanta and signaled that the Union victory was in reach assuring Lincoln’s re-election.

Union Victory-Lincoln finds the right general Grant takes command and begins a non-stop assault on Lee. Grant changes from the Anaconda Plan to the idea of “total war” Grant is often called the butcher because he lost 65,000 men in just two months. However, Grant could afford the loses because of overwhelming numbers. Lee could not and kept retreating. Eventually Lee and his army were surround near Richmond, Virginia. When Lee tried to escape he was caught in the open by Grant’s forces and decided to surrender. The Surrender document was signed on April 9 th, 1865 at Appomattox Courthouse. The war was essentially over.