The Civil War: Key Battles & Turning Points

Summarize significant key battles, strategies, and turning points of the Civil War – including the battles of Fort Sumter and Gettysburg, the

Emancipation Proclamation, the significance of the Gettysburg Address, and the surrender at

Appomattox – and the role of African Americans

in the war.

Remember

South Carolina seceded from the Union. After, the states of AL, FL, MS, GA, LA, and TX seceded. These states formed their own government – Confederate States of America (Confederacy), which supported states’ rights and slavery. Their president was Jefferson Davis.

Significant Events

Fort Sumter – first battle of the Civil War

Gettysburg – important battle for the North

Emancipation Proclamation – end of slavery

Gettysburg Address – inspired Union soldiers

Appomattox Courthouse – end of the Civil War

Fort Sumter

The Confederacy began taking over forts in the South.

One fort that was not taken over was Fort Sumter, South Carolina, near Charleston.

Davis wanted to take control of Fort Sumter, but a Union officer commanded the Fort. When he didn’t surrender the Fort, the Confederacy began firing on Fort Sumter.

Fort SumterThe firing lasted for two days. Without food or water, the Union was forced to surrender the Fort to the Confederacy.

Lincoln responded to the attack by

asking men in the Union states to

become soldiers and create a Union army

to fight the Confederacy.

Gettysburg

The Confederate army was pushing further north. When they reached Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the Union army was ready to stop them.

Led by Robert E. Lee, the Confederate army fought the Union army for three days.

As the Confederates continued to fight, more Union soldiers joined the battle against them.

Gettysburg

Finally on day 3, as over 150 cannons were shot on each side of the battle, the Confederate troops marched towards the Union troops. This resulted in a disastrous attack with over 5,000 Confederates killed or wounded.

The North won this battle and forced the Confederacy to retreat into Virginia.

Emancipation Proclamation

Lincoln’s goal of the war was to absolve slavery in the United States.

He believed “slavery must die so that the nation might live.”

On January 1, 1863, Lincoln gave a statement that freed all slaves in the Confederate states at war with the Union.

Emancipation Proclamation

Since Union officers were not in control of the Confederacy, most African-Americans were not released from slavery.

Emancipation Proclamation

Gettysburg Address

About 4 months after the Battle of Gettysburg, Lincoln gave a speech during a memorial service for the soldiers.

The Gettysburg Address inspired Union soldiers to continue fighting for their country and the end of slavery.

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Appomattox Courthouse

Where the surrender took place

General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Grant.

The war was over! The North won!

African-Americans in the WarMany African-Americans supported Lincoln’s beliefs. One such African-American was Frederick Douglass. He encouraged others to join the war effort as a member of the Union army. “Fly to arms,” he wrote.

African-Americans in the War

African-Americans were allowed to join the Union army. Even though they were paid less and had to buy their own uniforms, many joined the army because they supported Lincoln.

The first group of all black troops against the Confederacy in South Carolina was the 54th regiment.

African-Americans in the War

Overall, 200,000 African-Americans fought for the Union and over 37,000 died.

Later, in June 1864 Congress passed a bill that stated black and white Union soldiers would receive equal pay.

The Civil War: Key Battles & Turning Points

Summarize significant key battles, strategies, and turning points of the Civil War – including the battles of Fort Sumter and Gettysburg, the

Emancipation Proclamation, the significance of the Gettysburg Address, and the surrender at

Appomattox – and the role of African Americans

in the war.