The Civil War

CausesState’s Rights vs. Federal PowerIrreconcilable DifferencesSlavery

When asked by a Union soldier why he was fighting in the war a Confederate soldier replied, “I’m fightin because you’re down here.”

Border StatesKentucky, Missouri, Maryland, and

DelawareBorder states had many citizens that

supported the North, but also had many Southern sympathizers

Remained loyal throughout the war (Missouri and Maryland were held somewhat forcefully)

Important to the North for resources and men, and also a buffer zone

Taking Sides

Southern Advantages Northern Advantages

Only had to defend, did not have to conquer

Knew the lay of the land Help from locals Fantastic leadership; 3 top

Confederate generals had resigned from the US army to lead the Confederacy

Robert E. Lee, considered by many to be one of the great military leaders of American History, was offered the top position in the Union Army by Abraham Lincoln. He refused, and took the same position in the Confederate Army

Overwhelming majority of manufacturing (produce war materials much more quickly and on a larger scale)

Transportation (twice as much railroad track allowed the North to transport both troops and supplies much more quickly than the South)

Twice as much farmland 79% of the white population

(“white man’s war”)

**all of these resources allowed the North to field, feed, and equip larger armies

Constructed Response

Which side has the greater advantage as they enter the war?Claim – 2 pointsEvidence – 4 pointsInterpretation – 4 points

StrategiesUnion1. Blockade2. Mississippi River3. Seize Richmond (Confederate Capital)

Confederate4. Defend5. Britain?6. Last long enough so that the North

would get tired of fighting

First Battle of Bull Run First major battle About a total of 60,000 troops Hundreds of spectators actually travelled out from

Washington to watch the battle; expected a quick and easy Union victory

Started well enough for the Union, but tide turned quickly and battle eventually turned in to a Confederate route.

General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson Union force panicked and didn’t stop running until they got

back to Washington Retreat was unorganized and embarrassing Retreat was even slowed as Union wagons became

entangled with the wagons of the spectators who were also fleeing after getting more than they bargained for

Shattered both Northern and Southern sentiments that it would be a quick and easy war

Daily Life Camp Conditions

Prisoner’s of War

*3/4 of time spent in camp*10 hrs. of training per day*rest of time on daily tasks*food was awful

*filthy*contaminated water caused disease*perfect conditions for the spread of disease*2/3 of all Civil War deaths were a result of disease

*10% of casualties were in prison camps*filthy*poorly fed*disease*unfit shelters*Andersonville

Deadlier WarFirst modern war fought after the

industrial revolutionIndustries developed to manufacture war

materials (guns, minnie balls, cannons, etc…)

New rifles were much more accurate and easier to load

Cannons/artillery had greater range and accuracy

Superior weapons vs. Outdated battlefield tactics

Ironclads

General George McClellan (1862)Great at training and organizingRidiculously cautious and arrogantTerrible battle field generalUnion Army of 100,000 soldiers vs. Confederate

Force of 15,000Didn’t attack, but instead asked for more menThis pause allowed the Confederates to receive

reinforcementsAble to make the Union Army retreat If he would have attacked they would have been

able to capture the Confederate capital of RichmondThe Union had lost every major battle in the first 2

years of the war.

Antietam, more McClellan mistakesAntietam was single bloodiest day in

American history with 26,000 casualtiesThe Confederates and General Robert

E. Lee lost nearly 1/3 of the armyRETREAT! Called a Union Victory (very important)McClellan had Lee on the ropes, but

failed to pursueCould have possibly destroyed

Confederate army if he had stuck with it

McClellan vs. GrantMcClellan was arrogant and

OVERLY CAUTIOUS; refused to press advantages; flat out bad field general

Grant took chances; was by far having more success; while McClellan was losing or sitting still Grant was winning numerous battles out West; seen as a loose cannon by some; considered a drunk by others

Battle of ShilohHUGE win for Union (and Grant)Confederates were forced to

abandon railway center Union gained control of part of W.

Tennessee and part of the Mississippi River

Better than 25% casualties

Emancipation Proclamation and General Order 143The “bloodiest” day in American history was

the Battle of Antietam, Maryland.The Union “victory” at Antietam allowed

President Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.

Great Britain and France remained neutral and did not enter the war on the side of the Confederacy.

Emancipation Proclamation and General Order 143 cont…The Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves

in the Confederate States(Eventually all states would free their slaves)

With African Americans joining the armed forces, the United States had a greater advantage over the Confederate States because of its number of soldiers and sailors. (General Order 143)

Divisions

North South

Many did not support emancipation

Some believed that Lincoln and the North had forced the South into war

Democrats (copperheads) vs. Republicans

Areas with large plantations and lots of slaves favored the war

Poorer back country regions with few slaves did not support the war

The DraftMandatory military serviceSouth was first (why?)North followed suitMany exceptions for wealth in both north and southSoutherners who owned 20 or more slaves were

exempt.Northerners could pay a one time fee of $300 to

get out of military service.Both sides could hire others to take their place.“Poor man’s fight”Lead to violent riots in the North in 1863. Both

wealthy whites and any and all African Americans were targeted.

Economic Issues

North South

Too many jobs in North

1st Income TaxPrinted $400 million =

INFLATIONGoods increased in

price an average of 80%

Prevented from trading cotton overseas by Union blockade

Massive shortages of all kinds of goods due to lack of industry

Tiny Supply + Huge Demand = Ridiculous Inflation

Goods increased in price up to 5,725%

The poor south…Life was much more difficult in the South

during the war than it was in the NorthLack of industry Invading armyBlockade**Makes their effort that much more impressive

$800 Please

The Wonderful Women400 disguised themselves as

men and foughtSpies (especially in the South)Took over businesses, farms,

plantationsFactory workGovernment jobsNurses

New OpportunitiesTeachingNursingThese professions as well as

others had been dominated by men before the Civil War

Battle of Gettysburg2nd time Confederates engaged Union on

Union soil (first time: Antietam)Lee believed that a Confederate victory on

Union soil would bring an end to the warBattle began when Confederate soldiers were

discovered near Gettysburg looking for shoes85,000 Union vs. 75,000 ConfederatesPicket’s Charge23,000 Union casualties28,000 Confederate casualties (2nd time Lee

had lost 1/3 of his army)Huge win for Union

Fall of VicksburgVicksburg was one of 2 cities on

Mississippi River still held by Confederates

City was put under siege by General Grant in May of 1863.

After 6 weeks 30,000 confederates gave up

With the surrender of Vicksburg the entire Mississippi River was in Union hands

Union Advantages Pay OffUnder General Grant the Union army

finally began to use its vast resources against the Confederate army

Grant continued to attack Lee’s army over and over again b/c Grant knew that he would continue to get more soldiers and supplies

At the time Grant controlled the largest army in the world (over 500,000 men)

The confederate army, however, was running out of men and supplies

Lincoln Reelected Election of 1864: Lincoln vs. McClellan Remember McClellan was formerly Lincoln’s top

general Lincoln had removed him from his position twice McClellan was a Democrat (wanted to end the war

with the South) Lincoln was very unpopular at this time due to

length of war and high casualty rate. The capture of Atlanta by General Sherman and his

Union troops propelled Lincoln to an easy victory Atlanta was the South’s industrial center where most

of their war materials were made. Without Atlanta it would be impossible to keep the

Confederate troops supplied properly

Total WarAt the same time Grant was

attacking Lee his good friend, William Tecumseh Sherman, was leading his famous march from Atlanta to the Atlantic Ocean

Goal was to “make Georgia howl”60,000 soldiers285 miles long, 60 miles wide

path of destructionAchieved goal

AppomattoxApril 9, 1865Terms of surrender: give up your

weapons and leave in peace

“The war is over. The rebels are our countrymen again.” Ulysses S. Grant

“With malice toward none; with charity for all;…let us strive together…to bind up the nation’s wounds.” Abraham Lincoln