UNIT 7: MILITARY CONFLICT
LESSON 7.5: THE CIVIL WARPart 3: The Early StagesUNIT 7:
MILITARY CONFLICTFocusWhat are the advantages of both the North and
South in fighting the Civil War?What are the disadvantages of the
North and South in fighting the Civil War?Summarize the strategies
for victory for both the North and South.What impact did technology
and improvement in weaponry have on the Civil War?
What do you know about the Emancipation Proclamation?
IntroductionBoth the North and the South developed strategies to
win the Civil War. Both sides, however, experienced military
setbacks and high casualties early in the war. President Lincoln
issued the Emancipation Proclamation and put ending slavery at the
heart of the Union war effort.conscription
The First Battle of Bull RunIn the early days of the Civil War,
Lincoln was under pressure to strike quickly against the South to
end the conflict.At Bull Run in northern Virginia, a Union attack
on Confederate forces at first seemed to go well.Then, Confederate
reinforcements, led by Thomas Stonewall Jackson, arrivedUnion
General McDowell decided to fall back. His retreat quickly turned
to panic. The Union defeat at Bull Run made it clear that the North
needed a large, well-trained army to defeat the South!
AP 1What were the consequences of the First Battle of Bull
Run?Mobilizing the TroopsExcitement about the war inspired many
Northerners and Southerners to enlist.However, as the war dragged
on, and more casualties occurred, fewer men enlisted. This forced
both sides to turn to conscription.In 1862 the South began its
draft for all white men between the ages of 18-35.Exemptions were
made for government workers, teachers, and planters with at least
20 slaves.The North tried to enlist men by offering a bounty, or
sum of money as a bonus to people who signed for up to three
years.Congress passed the Militia Act in 1862 empowering Lincoln to
call up the state militias into federal service. In 1863, Congress
introduced the national draft.AP 2Once sentence: ConscriptionThe
Naval WarPresident Lincoln wanted to blockade all Confederate ports
to hurt the Souths economy. By early 1862, the Union navy had
blockaded all ports on the Atlantic coast except Charleston, South
Carolina, and Wilmington, North Carolina.Union ships found it
difficult to stop all the blockade runners- or small fast ships-
that the South used to smuggle goods past the Union blockade.These
ships allowed some of its cotton to reach Europe in exchange for
supplies to fight.
The Naval WarThe south also attacked Northern merchant ships
with warships. Two of the warships had been built by Britain. The
damage done by these ships strained relations between the USA and
Great Britain. As its ships closed Southern ports, the Union began
to prepare to take over New Orleans to control the southern
Mississippi river.In April, 1862, David Farragut led Union forces
and bombarded Confederate forts in the lower Mississippi river. He
then captured New Orleans.
AP 3Why was the capture of New Orleans important for the
Union?The War in the WestThe Union was victorious in several
battles in the west. Union General Grant seized Fort Henry and Fort
Donelson on the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers.This put Kentucky
and most of western Tennessee under Union control.Grant continued
down the Tennessee to attack Corinth, Mississippi. Confederate
troops attacked Grants forces at Shiloh. Grant turns the surprise
attack into a Union victory when he mounted an offensive and forced
the Confederates to retreat. The battle resulted in heavy
casualties.Lincoln: I cannot spare this man; he fights!
The War in the WestConfederate General Braxton Bragg and his
troops attempted to invade Kentucky. Union General Buell stopped
them at Perryville. Lincoln then ordered Buell to capture
Chattanooga and cut off the railroad there. This would deprive
Confederate Forces of vital food supplies. Buells slow progress
caused Lincoln to replace him with General Rosecrans. Braggs forces
attacked near Murfreesboro, but when reinforcements arrived, Bragg
retreated.
AP 4Note to buddyThe War in the EastUnion General McClellan
launched the Peninsular Campaign to take Richmond.McClellan
advanced cautiously and allowed his troops to separate, giving
General Johnstons Confederate forces the chance to attack and cause
heavy casualties.Robert E. Lee attacked the Union army in the Seven
Days Battle, forcing a Union retreat.
The Battle of AntietamLees forces then attacked Union army
defending Washington, leading to the Second Battle of Bull Run.
Lees army then crossed into Maryland.Reasons:End the warConvince GB
and France to aligne with confederacyGet troops our of south during
harvest.McClellans troops took position at Antietam Creek
The Battle of AntietamAntietam was the bloodiest battle of the
Civil War up to that point.A Confederate defeat convinced Lincoln
that it was time to end slavery in order to justify the amount of
human loss.5 days later, he announced that the Emancipation
Proclamation would free all enslaved persons in states of
rebellion.This turned the Civil War from a war to preserve the
Union, to a war of liberation!
AP 5What is the historical significance of the Battle of
Antietam?ActivityGlory
Learning logIn your Journal, summarize what you have learned
about the early stages of the Civil War.What was the significance
of the first Battle of Bull Run?How did the battle of Shiloh
influence general grants reputation?Why did lee decide to invade
the north?What is the significance of the Battle of Antietam?
