AMERICAN CIVIL WAR

The Civil War n Fought between the North and South. n Triggered by the election of Republican President Abraham Lincoln in 1860.

The Civil War n Lincoln wanted to keep the Union together and end the spread of slavery. n After Lincoln was elected, southern states began to secede.

Secession n Eleven states formed their own government, called the Confederacy. n South Carolina leaves first.1860 n They elected Jefferson Davis as their president.

Border States n The slaves states of Missouri, Kentucky and Maryland did not secede. n West Virginia split from Virginia to be able to continue to have slaves.

First Shot n South fires on Fort Sumter and Civil War begins. n Battle of Bull Run.

Causes of the Civil War n Slavery was at the heart of most major issues dividing the North and South. n Way of life. Most people lived on small farms, but in the North there were several large cities. South had many plantations

Causes of the Civil War n Free Labor vs Slave Labor economy. n North was based on free labor where people could choose where they wanted to work and received a wage.

Causes of the Civil War n Southern economy was based on slave laborers who were not free to leave and received food and lodging instead of wages.

Causes of the Civil War n State’s Rights. North thought that no state had the right to secede from the Union. South argued that a state could leave then Union if it voted to do so.

Confederate Government n President: Jefferson Davis n Vice President: Alexander Hamilton Stephens n Capital: Montgomery, Alabama; then Richmond, Virginia.

The Confederacy

Advantages of the North n 10 million more people. n 22 million people in the North compared with 12.5 million in the South of which 40% were slaves. n Established Navy

Advantages of the North n More factories to produce guns, uniforms and military supplies. n Rail system twice as large as in the south. n Most banks and cash in the North.

Advantages of the South n Better military leaders. n Most of the war fought in th South on familiar terrain. n More skilled horsemen and riflemen.

End of Slavery n More than 620,000 Americans died in the Civil War. n Union deaths: 360,000 n Confederate deaths:260,000

End of Slavery n Confederate defeat led to the end of slavery and restored the Union n Much of the South was destroyed.

Ulysses S. Grant n Sixth general to head the Union n Graduate of U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. n Brilliant military leader and a stubborn fighter. n Elected President for two terms

Robert E. Lee n General of Confederate forces n Graduate of West Point Military Academy, N.Y. and a hero of the Mexican War. n Lincoln offered him command of the Union but he refused.

Robert E. Lee n Disapproved of both slavery and secession, he could not bring himself to fight against his fellow Southerners.

Robert Shaw n Union officer from a wealthy abolitionist family in MA. n Commander of 54th Regiment (the first African-American unit to fight in the war). n Killed at Battle of Fort Wagner.

Clara Barton n Known as the “Angel of the Battlefields” for nursing the wounded Union troops. n 1881 she founded the American Red Cross.

Robert Smalls n African-American seaman who served on the Planter, a Confederate gunboat. n He and the crew took over the boat and escaped, surrendering at the Union blockade.

Robert Smalls n His daring feat was widely publicized and Congress voted to give him a reward.