The American Civil War

By: Larisa Benton

Pre-War Issues

Before the Civil War, America was in a bit of turmoil. The lives of slaves were becoming harder, so they were running away. The states were divided because of their different climates and geography, making different lifestyles and arguments. This was eventually called the Sectional Division. The Kansas-Nebraska Act (decided which state would be a slave state and which one would be a free state), the Dred Scott decision, and the Raid at Harper’s Ferry (when John Brown and his men attacked a U.S. Federal Arsenal) was leading America into the Civil War.

Causes of the Civil War

• The Civil War is a bit controversial about why it was started, and it was not started to free the slaves.

• Common reasons for the Civil War are: – The inauguration of president Lincoln– The secession of the states, the first

being South Carolina– States individual issues and rights

The Start of the War• On November 6, 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States -- an event that

outraged southern states. The Republican party had run on an anti-slavery platform, and many southerners felt that there was no longer a place for them in the Union. On December 20, 1860, South Carolina seceded. By February 1, 1861, six more states -- Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas -- had split from the Union. The seceded states created the Confederate States of America and elected Jefferson Davis, a Mississippi Senator, as their provisional president.

• In his inaugural address, delivered on March 4, 1861, Lincoln proclaimed that it was his duty to maintain the Union. He also declared that he had no intention of ending slavery where it existed, or of repealing the Fugitive Slave Law -- a position that horrified African Americans and their white allies. Lincoln's statement, however, did not satisfy the Confederacy, and on April 12 they attacked Fort Sumter, a federal stronghold in Charleston, South Carolina. Federal troops returned the fire. The Civil War had begun.

• Immediately following the attack, four more states -- Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee -- severed their ties with the Union. To retain the loyalty of the remaining border states -- Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri -- President Lincoln insisted that the war was not about slavery or black rights; it was a war to preserve the Union. His words were not simply aimed at the loyal southern states, however -- most white northerners were not interested in fighting to free slaves or in giving rights to black people. For this reason, the government turned away African American volunteers who rushed to enlist. Lincoln upheld the laws barring blacks from the army, proving to northern whites that their race privilege would not be threatened.

The North vs. The South• After the North was attacked and

the southern states declared themselves as their own country, the northern states cut the South from any trade with the U.S.

• The North began to forbid the South for looking for their slaves

• Soon there were two separate countries

Advantages and Disadvantages for the Northern States

Advantage• With slaves running to the

northern side, the north increased at an almost exponential rate.

• Had many people to grow food and to work in factories making supplies

• Had more than 70% of the nation's rail lines

• Had a strong navy and a large fleet of private trading ships

Disadvantage• Northern soldiers had to

conquer a huge area to bring the South back into the Union

• They were invading unfamiliar land

Advantages and Disadvantages for the Southern States

Advantage• Defending their

homeland gave them a strong reason to fight

• Had skills that made them good soldiers

• Many of the best officers in the United States were from the South

Disadvantage• Had few factories to

produce weapons, railroad tracts, and other supplies

• Had few railroads to move troops and vital supplies

• The South had a small population, about 9 million lived in the Confederacy and 22 million in the Union

• More than 1/3rd of the population was enslaved; therefore they had fewer people that could be soldiers

Battle of Appomattox Court House

• Started April 9th, 1865, and would be the last battle. General Robert E. Lee, the general for the Army of Northern Virginia, turned to attack General Ulysses S. Grant and the Union Army of the Potomac. At this point, the Confederacy is basically crumbling. General Lee began to retreat across Virginia, with his army disintegrating. He attempted one more attack at the Appomattox Court House and ended up surrendering .

After War• After the Civil War, the South’s labor force was lowered drastically

due to the amount of deaths.• Many new inventions were created after the Civil War, including

the cultivator and railroads.• Money was now one currency, instead of one for each state.• Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 15, 1865 in the

Petersen House.

Importance of the Civil War

• The Civil War is important in U.S. history because it ended with the creation of the 13th and 14th amendments and is the reason why America’s still united. It is especially important now when referring to today’s political issues and some states wanting to secede once again.

Works Cited

• http://civilwarcauses.org/• http://sunsite.utk.edu/civil-war/warweb.html

#crisis• http://

www.exploresouthernhistory.com/appomattoxbattle.html

• http://www.pacivilwar150.com/AboutUs/EndorsedProjects