1. Introduction to the Civil War 1861-1865
Kyle Woodward
Old KY Home Middle School
Bardstown, KY
The regimental colors of the 19th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment were damaged in battle during the American Civil War.

2. The Civil War
Who was involved?
#1 The Confederate States of America

3. The Civil War Who was involved?
#2 The Union (Free States & Territories)

4. The Civil War
Who was involved?
#3 The Border States

5. The Civil War Why were the Border States so important?
“I hope to have God on my side but I have to have Kentucky” -- Abraham Lincoln
Why were the Border States so important?
Important geographically
Why were the Border States so unusual?
Slave states that stayed with the Union

6. The Civil War How did they fight?
Total War - organisation of all the resources (people and products) of a country towards the war effort
The resources of enemy civilians are fair targets in total war (ex. Farms, food, etc)

7. Thinking Question:
(Don’t write! Just think!)
Are governments ever justified in targeting civilians (non-soldiers) in wartime?

8. Advantages and Disadvantages:
North
Population: 22 million
4 million men of combat age
South
Population: 9 million
1.2 million men of fighting age
3.5 million slaves
North has the advantage in population

9. Advantages and Disadvantages:
North
Economy: 100,000 Factories
70,000 miles of Railroad
$190,000 in bank deposits
South
Economy: 20,000 factories
9,000 miles of Railroad
$50,000 in bank deposits
North has the advantage in industrial power

10. Advantages and Disadvantages:
North
Armed Forces: mostly drafted soldiers with overly cautious officers
More soldiers
African Americans - 10% of Union forces
Strong navy
South
Armed Forces: better trained soldiers & better leadership
No real navy
North has the advantage in # of soldiers, but South in the quality of soldiers & generals

11. Advantages and Disadvantages:
North
Government - Strong well- established government
South
Government - Weak government, most power given to states
North has a stronger government, better able to direct resources (people & products) towards the war

12. Advantages and Disadvantages:
North
Motivation: Preserve the union
Later - free the slaves
South
Motivation: Preserve way of life
Who has the advantage in motivation? You decide.

13. Whose goals would be easier to reach?
North
Anaconda Plan
1. Blockade the South
2. Divide - Split the Confederacy by gianing control of the Mississippi River
3. Conquer - remaining parts
South
1. Defend existing territory
2. Gain recognition of Confederacy as independent nation
Whose goals would be easier to reach?

14. Leaders: Abraham Lincoln:
“A House divided against itself cannot stand” -- A. Lincoln
Little political experience (served 1 term in the House of Representatives)
Strong reputation for honesty, temperance, jokes and storytelling

15. Who has the advantage in leadership?
Jefferson Davies:
“All we ask is to be left alone” -- J. Davies
West Point graduate, Colonel in Mexican-American war, Secretary of war, & Senator from Miss.
Not a popular president, especially with big fans of state’s rights
Who has the advantage in leadership?

16. Northern Commanders George G. Meade Joseph Hooker George McClellan
Irwin McDowell
A. E. Burnside

17. Northern Commanders Ulysses S. Grant
-- “When in doubt, fight” U.S. Grant
Son of an Ohio tailor & drunken failure until the Civil War
Reputation for boldness, resourcefulness, &persistance

18. Who has the advantage in Commanders?
Southern Commander
Robert E. Lee
“It is a good thing war is so terrible; else we should grow too fond of it” -- R.E. Lee
Brilliant southern gentleman from one of country’s oldest families
Offered command of Union armies
Family plantation occupied early in the war and turned into Arlington National Cemetary
Who has the advantage in Commanders?

19. Thinking Questions:
(Don’t write: Just think!)
Is it more important to have strong generals or strong civilian leadership in a war?

20. So how did it begin? Fort Sumter: Where?
Fort Sumter lies in the harbor of Charleston, S.C.

21. So how did it begin? Why? What? Fort Sumter:
When Lincoln enters office, fort is running out of food
What?
Lincoln can either defend the fort and risk war or abandon it and look weak in the eyes of the South

22. So... So how did it begin? Fort Sumter:
Lincoln sends unarmed vessel with food, giving the governor of S.C. plenty of warning
S.C. attacks anyway and Lincoln asks for Northern volunteers
This attack on the Union probably helps him keep many of the border states