The Civil War

[Do Not Write] AIMs for Today: 1. What is some basic terminology relating to the Civil War? 2. To gain a basic understanding of what happened during the War (think of WWWWWH) 3. To gain some understanding of New York’s specific role during the Civil War

Basic Overview of the “War Between the States” [Read aloud together] In the election of 1860, a new party, the Republican Party, chooses a lawyer from a small town in Illinois to be its candidate for president. His name is ________________. In the election of 1860, a new party, the Republican Party, chooses a lawyer from a small town in Illinois to be its candidate for president. His name is ________________. The Republicans, who are trying to prevent slavery from spreading to the new states, win the election by a very few votes. The Republicans, who are trying to prevent slavery from spreading to the new states, win the election by a very few votes.

The South is upset, as they remember Lincoln saying, “I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free.” The South is upset, as they remember Lincoln saying, “I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free.” Lincoln’s major objective is to save the Union, not to either save or destroy slavery. Lincoln’s major objective is to save the Union, not to either save or destroy slavery.

[any mistakes?] Southern states secede from the Union and form there own government—the Confederate States of America. Southern states secede from the Union and form there own government—the Confederate States of America. Jefferson Davis becomes president of the Confederacy. Jefferson Davis becomes president of the Confederacy. The Civil War begins on April 12, 1861 at Fort Sumter, in South Carolina. The Civil War begins on April 12, 1861 at Fort Sumter, in South Carolina.

Ulysses S. Grant (Union) Ulysses S. Grant (Union) and Robert E. Lee (Confederacy) are the two most important generals during the bloody war. and Robert E. Lee (Confederacy) are the two most important generals during the bloody war.

These events were to set the stage for the bloodiest and saddest war in American history. These events were to set the stage for the bloodiest and saddest war in American history. In a conflict that combined elements of old fashioned fighting with features of the new Machine Age, at least 600,000 Americans would lose their lives fighting for constitutional principle, sectional differences, economic self- interest, and moral righteousness. In a conflict that combined elements of old fashioned fighting with features of the new Machine Age, at least 600,000 Americans would lose their lives fighting for constitutional principle, sectional differences, economic self- interest, and moral righteousness.

On April 9, 1865, General Lee surrendered to General Grant. After so much suffering, the Civil War ended. Slaves soon became free and the United States remained one nation. On April 9, 1865, General Lee surrendered to General Grant. After so much suffering, the Civil War ended. Slaves soon became free and the United States remained one nation. But African Americans encountered many more problems later during Reconstruction… But African Americans encountered many more problems later during Reconstruction…

Five Generations of a Family on Smith’s Plantation in Beaufort, South Carolina (1862)

Portrait of Boy Soldier