17.1 (p.484-489)

The Conflict Takes Shape

Abraham Lincoln Jefferson Davis

24 11

1) preserve the Union2) (later) to abolish slavery

1) gain independence2) maintain slavery/lifestyle

strong FEDERAL govt. strong STATE govts.

23 M 9 M(1/3 slaves)

1) industrial2) can provide war supplies

1) agricultural (cash crops)2) must trade for war supplies

1) volunteer army (large pop.)2) inexperienced

1) volunteer army (small pop.)2) (many) military backgrounds

1) some experienced in Mexican War 2) few aggressive/effective generals

1) many experienced in Mexican War2) aggressive/effective leaders

Southerners • Southerners believed that they had the right to leave the Union. They called the conflict the War for Southern Independence.

• Southerners wanted to keep their traditional way of life—including slavery.

Northerners • Northerners believed that they had to fight to save the Union.• Some northerners wanted to abolish slavery. Others approved of slavery.

Border States • Slave states that were still in the Union in 1861 had to decide what to do. Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas joined the Confederacy.

• Four slave states remained with the Union. These border states were Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, and Delaware.

• Some people who lived in the border states supported the South. Pro-Confederate mobs attacked Union troops in Maryland. President Lincoln declared martial law, or rule by the army instead of the elected government.

slaveholding states which stayed in the Union (KY, MO, MD, DE); USA/CSA border

rule by the army [emergency measure to keep order]

Chapter 17, Section 1

NORTH: UNIONNorthern Advantages (++)• Lincoln: superior leader• larger population• military power: 5 to 1 advantage• industry: can produce war supplies• more $$: can support longer war• more railroads: RR networks link

major cities• produces more food• Navy; controls shipping

Chapter 17, Section 1

NORTH: UNIONNorthern Disadvantages (--)

• Northern soldiers had to conquer a huge area and blockade a very long coast

• Instead of defending their homes, they were invading unfamiliar land

• Union supply lines had to stretch out much farther than Confederate ones

• many Northerners were not willing to fight to abolish slavery

Chapter 17, Section 1

SOUTH: CONFEDERACYSouthern Advantages (++)

• outstanding experienced generals• strong military tradition• strong motivation: defending homes and

lives• home field advantage: know the ground• skilled with guns & horses• large amounts of cotton to trade for

military supplies• possible European alliance(s)

Chapter 17, Section 1

SOUTH: CONFEDERACYSouthern Disadvantages (--)

• few factories to produce weapons and other supplies

• few railroads to move troops and supplies; many rail lines did not connect to a railroad network

• Confederate constitution favored states’ rights and limited the central government; sometimes, this made it difficult to get things done

• small population compared to the North; the South did not have enough people to support a long war effort

• few ships

The War’s LeadersConfederate President Jefferson Davis:• attended the United

States Military Academy at West Point

• was an officer in the Mexican War

• was Secretary of War under President Franklin Pierce

• was respected for his honesty and courage

• micromanaged generals

Union President Abraham Lincoln:• did not have much

experience in national politics

• did not have much military experience

• turned out to be a strong leader and fine war planner (asked subordinates for advice)

• had a sense of humor• could accept criticism

Confederate Commander Robert E. Lee:• the best tactical

commander on either side• Lincoln had asked him to

command the Union army• was loyal to his state of

Virginia• given command of the

Confederate army