Causes of the Civil War

1850-1861

Daniel Webster

Compromise of 1850

Components:

California admitted free

Popular sovereignty in New Mexico

Tougher fugitive slave law

Abolition of slave trade in DC

Compromise stirs debate

Clay, Calhoun, and Webster

Calhoun: ―If you (North) will not yield, let the

states agree to separate and part in peace. If

you are unwilling, we should part in peace.‖

Webster on secession: ―Heaven forbid!

Where is the flag of the republic to remain?

Where is the eagle still to tower?‖

Futures…

Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

―to provide for the appointment of federal

commissioners with authority to issue

warrants, summon posses, and compel

citizens under pain or fine or imprisonment to

assist in the capture of fugitives.

Commissioners who decided an accused

person was a fugitive slave received $10...$5

if they decided otherwise.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin

Published in 1852 by Harriet Beecher Stowe.

Told the story of Uncle Tom, a kind slave who

is physically and emotionally terrorized by

sadistic overseer Simon Legree.

His death and the story shock Northern

readers.

Election of 1852

Franklin Pierce

(Democrat-New

Hampshire)

Winfield Scott

(Whig-Virginia)

Why was each

selected?

2/3 caucus rule

Election Results

The Sad Legacy of Franklin Pierce

One of America’s worst…usually 39-40

on most rankings.

Sad tragedy prior to inauguration

Sad story of wife Jane

Appleton Pierce

Strong leadership needed…not provided

Transcontinental Railroad

Franklin Pierces initiative…

Gadsen Purchase designed to add remaining

continental territory as to build a southern

route from coast to coast.

Gadsden Purchase

Kansas-Nebraska Act

To support a railroad, the remaining territories need to be ―organized into statehood‖ for the purpose of having the railroad.

The ―Terminus‖

Stephen A. Douglas emerges to prominence…

Principal of the act: If South is to accept the Northern railroad route, they must get something…what do they get?

Popular Sovereignty in Kansas/Nebraska

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Slavery in Kansas/Nebraska?

Douglas thought the idea absurd, it was

geographically impossible for slavery to exist

there? So his thought, we need a railroad, so

who cares if they want to have slaves in a

northern climate…it will die out?

Result: wrong. This became a fury!

The race is on…

Populate Kansas as quickly as possible with

free soilers and pro slavery forces.

Congressional quotes!

―There are 1,1000 coming over from Platte,

Co. to vote and if that ain’t enough we can

send 5,000-enough to kill every #$%#

abolitionist in the territory.‖

Quotes:

―Come on Gentleman of the slave states,

since there is no escaping your challenge,, I

accept it on behalf of freedom. We will

engage in competition for the virgin soil of

Kansas, and God give victory of the side

which is stronger in numbers as it is in

right‖. Charles Sumner

Impacts of Kansas/Nebraska Act

The reopening of the slavery question in the territories with almost immediate tragic results in “Bleeding Kansas”

The president's hope for reelection dashed

The complete realignment of the major political parties

The Democrats lost influence in the North and were to become the regional proslavery party of the South

The Whig Party, which had opposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, died in the South and was weakened in the North

A new Republican Party emerged as an immediate political force, drawing in anti-Nebraska Whigs and Democrats.

Bleeding Kansas

Bleeding Kansas Defined

The Raid on Lawrence, Kansas. In May 1856, a band of Border Ruffians crossed the border from Missouri and attacked the free-soil community of Lawrence, looting and burning a number of buildings. Only one person was killed (one of the Ruffians), but the door to violence had been breached.

The Pottawatomie Creek Massacre. A few days later, in retaliation for the Lawrence raid, abolitionist forces under the zealot John Brown attacked a small proslavery settlement on Pottawatomie Creek. On Brown’s orders, five men were executed with a scythe.

John Brown

John Brown

The most shocking event?

Charles Sumner is beaten to within an inch of

his life for slandering a relative of Preston

Brooks and his pro slavery views.

Problem…the beating occurred in the US

Senate!

Sumner-Brooks

Dred Scott

Scott was transported

from slave Missouri, to

Wisconsin, sued for his

freedom as he entered

into free territory he

must be free.

Impact of Dred Scott

North outraged

Slavery rendered possible everywhere, Mo.

Compromise and Great compromise

abolished.

Slaves now have constitutional protection

thanks to a vile 7-2 decision led by

Southerner Roger B. Taney

Dred Scott was labeled ―property‖.

Election of James Buchannan

Northern

―doughface‖.

Northern (Penn)

man able to move in

Southern political

circles…

Worst president in

American

History…by far.

LeCompton Constitution

A proslavery constitution that…was arrived at illegally.

When passed by the pro-slavery forces illegally it was backed by President Buchannan!

Even southern senators insisted on a more democratic process.

Result: the fraudulent constitution was defeated by a 6-1 margin by a full body of Congress!

Buchannan shamed and humiliated.

Excerpts

―The legislature shall have no power to pass

laws for the emancipation of slaves without

the consent of the owners‖

―Free negroes shall not be permitted to live in

or travel in this State under any

circumstances.‖

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

Senate seat in Illinois, young representative

and lawyer Abraham Lincoln v. Stephen A.

Douglas.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

Debate #2 at Freeport.

Freeport Doctrine: responding to Lincoln’s

attacks on his being pro-slavery.

Douglass stated that slavery could legally be

barred from the territories if the territorial

legislatures simply refused to enact the type

of police regulations necessary to make

slavery work. Without a legal framework and

enforcement officials, slavery would be

excluded.

John Brown and Harpers Ferry

Importance of the

event?

Impact of John Brown

Led to the creation of the Southern militia system—precursor to the confederate army.

Created the belief that Northern Abolitionists would kill for their cause.

Execution divided the country

Election of 1860

Election of 1860

―I will say then that, I

am not nor have ever

been, in favor of

bringing about in any

way the social and

political equality of the

black and white race‖.

Lincoln’s views on

race

Why was Lincoln

such a hated figure in

South?

Lincoln

Denied to deal with

Slavery.

Denied rights of

South to secede.

Promised to protect

union and federal

institutions.

Words were

conciliatory.

Secession

South Carolina – Dec.

20, 1860

Alabama, Mississippi,

Florida, Georgia,

Louisiana, Texas – Feb.

1, 1861

―Confederate States of

America‖

President Jefferson

Davis

Secession

Order of secession

South Carolina (December 21, 1860),

Mississippi (January 9, 1861),

Florida (January 10, 1861),

Alabama (January 11, 1861),

Georgia (January 19, 1861),

Louisiana (January 26, 1861), and

Texas (February 1, 1861).

The Confederacy

Border States?

Lost

Tennessee

Virginia

North Carolina

Arkansas

Preserved

Maryland

Delaware

Kentucky

Missouri

Challenges

Missouri-Border Ruffians

Maryland-suspension of Habeas Corpus

Delaware-only 2% slave

Kentucky-‖losing Kentucky is like losing the

whole game‖ Abraham Lincoln.

Antebellum Review: 1848-1860

What are the primary causes of the Civil

War?

What were the key events during the

Antebellum that fostered the coming of war?

What could have been done during the

Antebellum to stop the war?

Some have argued that the civil war had

been coming since 1776…would you agree?

Theatres of War

1861-1865

Tale of the Tape

Northern Advantages

Industry

Executive Leadership

Naval superiority

Ability to supply armaments.

Number of fighting men

European relations

Stability of political system

Southern Advantages

Caliber of fighting men

Military leadership

Defensive war

―King Cotton Diplomacy‖

Don’t have to win the

war?

Fort Sumter

Fort Sumter

Lincoln made two promises at his

innauguration that are vital…

He would be ―friends of the South‖ and not

invade or pursue unprovoked military action.

He had a duty to protect Federal property.

Bull Run (Manassas)

Federals named things after geographic

features, rivers, etc…Confederates after civic

sites like railroads or cities (Manassas

Junction Railroad)

All myths about the war dispelled

This is not the Mexican American War

Lincoln’s initial call for 75,000 men seems

feeble. Issues a new call for 500,000 men. The

war will be unlike any that we have seen.

It appears clear as Irving McDowell is routed by

Pierre Gustave Toutant (PGT) Beauregard that

the confederates will have a distinct advantage

in military leadership.

Manassas

Casualties were light for a civil war battle,

2000 confederates, 1600 union.

Southerners lauded it as ―one of the decisive

battles of the world‖.

McDowell replaced with young bravado

George McClellan who despised Lincoln and

will contest his leadership in the election of

1864.

Lessons of Manassas: Finance

Congress passed an income tax. 3% over

incomes of $800.

Taxed states

Took out loans amounting to $140,000,000

during that first year.

Sold bonds

Issued a national currency called

―Greenbacks‖.

Lessons of Manassas: Politics

Republicans in factions

Democrats in factions

Emergence of Radical Republicans-Charles

Sumner.

Uncompromising view of slaves and their

future.

Lincoln and Dissent

Lincoln didn’t care for dissent.

Suspended Habeas Corpus, imprisoned

13,000.

Rights of the imprisoned

Ex Parte Merryman: failing to give a trial to

accused…Court ruled in favor of accused.

Ex Parte Milligan: declared military courts

illegal in areas where regular courts were

functioning…didn’t matter.

Clement Vallandingham

Congressman

banished to

Confederacy for his

views…fled to

Canada.

“A Rich Man’s War and a Poor

Man’s Fight”

Confederacy

Exemptions for slave

owners (20 or more)

Tax in Kind

Southern currency: 2

cents on the dollar by

1865, hard on the poor.

Union

Conscription could be

combated by buying a

sub for $300.

Income tax

Failed greenback

currency

Shiloh

Consequences

Union coming off big

wins at Fort Henry

and Fort

Donnellson.

Grant’s men

surprised at Shiloh

Church.

Staggering #’s.

Death toll (13,000)

in 2 days exceeded

the combined total

of the American

Revolution, War of

1812, French and

Indian War, and

Mexican American

War.

As we tramped solemnly and silently through the thin forest, and over its

grass, still in its withered and wintry hue, I noticed that the sun was not

far from appearing, that our regiment was keeping its formation

admirably, that the woods would have been a grand place for a picnic;

and I thought it strange that a Sunday should have been chosen to

disturb the holy calm of those woods.

Before we had gone five hundred paces, our serenity was disturbed by

some desultory firing in front. It was then a quarter-past five. 'They are at

it already,' we whispered to each other. 'Stand by, gentlemen,' - for we

were all gentlemen volunteers at this time, - said our Captain, L. G.

Smith. Our steps became unconsciously brisker, and alertness was

noticeable in everybody. The firing continued at intervals deliberate and

scattered, as at target-practice. We drew nearer to the firing, and soon a

sharper rattling of musketry was heard. 'That is the enemy waking up,'

we said. Within a few minutes, there was another explosive burst of

musketry, the air was pierced by many missiles, which hummed and

pinged sharply by our ears, pattered through the tree-tops and brought

twigs and leaves down on us. 'Those are bullets,' Henry whispered with

awe."

Shiloh’s impact

Perspective of the war changed.

―The most a soldier could say of any fight

was that I worse scared than I was at Shiloh‖

May 1862: Union Offensive

On to Richmond

Peninsula Campaign May, 1862. McClellan

moves, hammered by Johnston and then

Lee.

Lee/McClellan contrast.

Battle of Seven Days: 30,000 lost. McClellan

replaced with John Pope.

McClellan’s Peninsula Campaign

Instead of advancing through northern Virginia, where he was sure huge rebel armies lurked, the Union commander proposed instead to ship his 121,500-man Army of the Potomac to the tip of the York-James Peninsula by sea, then fight his way west to Richmond.

The Peninsular Campaign began in March 1862 - more than seven months after McClellan took command.

A Contrast Emerges

McClellan’s shortcomings prove costly

Lee’s strengths revealed

Lincoln and Emancipation

Believed in ―gradual

emancipation‖

Had spoken of this

―type‖ of plan as far

back as 1849.

Offered south

―compensated

emancipation”

Emancipation: Summer of 1862

Lincoln’s unwavering goal:

―my paramount objective is to save the Union.

It is not either to save or destroy slavery. If I

could save the Union without freeing any

slave I would do it, and I if I could save it by

freeing all the slaves I would do it‖

July 1862

Correspondence with Horace Greeley

Contradiction

From the ―London Times‖

―Where he has no power Mr. Lincoln will set the negroes free, where he retains power he

will consider them as slaves.‖ (referencing the

border states.)

Emancipation Proclamation

Changed focus of

war from restoration

of union to slavery.

Many found it ironic

that it only dealt with

slaves in lands

outside of union

control?

Secretary of State:

William Seward:

"We show our

symapthy with

slavery by

emancipating slaves

where we cannot

reach them and

holding them in

bondage where we

can set them free."

Antietam

Bloodiest Day in US History

McClellan’s big break.

23,000 casualties

McClellan’s failure proves costly.

Emergence of Ambrose Burnside.

“An act of justice”

Confiscation Act. Slaves were being

confiscated by the union army.

July 1862 all ―rebel slaveholders slaves were

forever free of their servitude‖

A bold national statement was needed.

Lincoln viewed it a military, political, and

emotional necessity.

Promised after Antietam

Legal?

1/1/1863

Emancipation takes effect

Democrats roared in anger

Republicans were anything but united.

Fredericksburg

One of the worst union defeats. An attack on

a Confederate stronghold. Several day

totals: 13,000 Union, 5,000 Confederate.

US Grant emerges

Failure from Galena, Illinois.

He had the aggressiveness that Lincoln craved, he matched Lee in that regard.

Victories at Fort Donnellson and on the Tennessee River drove the confederates out of Kentucky.

His perseverance at Shiloh secured a Northern victory and facilitated a slow Southern defeat in the West.

Union Blockade

Severing Southern commerce was key for the Union.

King Cotton.

―Shut the confederacy out from the world, deprived it of supplies weakened its military and naval strength‖.

Union victories and their contempt for slavery dashed any hope of intervention on behalf of the Confederacy.

1863-1865

5/1863: Chancellorsville

7/1863: Gettysburg

7/4/1863: Vicksburg

9/1863: Chickamauga

5/1864: Battle of the

Wilderness

5/1864: Spotsylvania

Court House

6/1864: Cold Harbor

9/1864: Fall of Atlanta

12/1864: Fall of

Savannah

4/2 1864: Fall of

Richmond

4/9: Appomattox

Surrender

US Grant

History

Ideas of warfare

Chancellorsville

Despite doubling

Confederate forces in

Chancellorsville

Virginia, the recently

appointed Joseph

Hooker is outwitted by

Lee’s genius. A

devastating Union

defeat, a huge victory

for Lee.

Key loss: Stonewall

Jackson (friendly fire)

The Twin Disasters

Vicksburg and Gettysburg were the turning

points of the Civil War. Southern forces

endured cataclysmic defeats in both the

North and the South, the tide had turned.

They occurred one day from each other and

signaled the end of the war.

Vicksburg

Impregnable stronghold that was sieged with a

brilliant move by Grant. The civil war’s most

brutal reminder of Grant’s total war philosophy.

Vicksburg conclusions

Lee refused the call of the Eastern armies to save western Vicksburg. He felt an invasion of the North to be more important and that eventually the weather would hamper Grant’s efforts.

Grant and the Union controlled the Mississippi, the confederacy had been cut in two.

Emergence of US Grant

No British involvement

Gettysburg

Lee’s miscalculation

Chancellorsville gets to his head. Invades

North.

Meade intercepts the force at Gettysburg, where

Northern forces occupied the high ground atop

the field at Little Round Top.

Cemetery Ridge

Lee ordered George Pickett and his men to

charge the union forces, fortified atop big and

little round tops. The result 28,000

casualties.

The hopeless maneuver cost Lee 1/3 of his

battle hardened force.

Last offensive in the North for Lee.

Chickamauga and Chattanooga

Grant’s reputation grows

Rescues victory from the jaws of defeat at

Chattanooga and deals a devastating blow to

the confederacy as the victory paved the way

for Georgia and Sherman’s march to the sea.

Grant v. Lee

Total War v. Strategic War

Astonishing casualty totals at:

Wilderness

Spotsylvania Court House

Cold Harbor

The Overland Campaign

Wilderness

Lee negated Grant’s numbers in the trees.

18000 casualties. Usually considered a draw,

set the stage for other bloodshed in Spotsylvania

County Virginia.

Spotsylvania Court House

Grant moving to Richmond, Lee moves to

stop him. 120,000-60,000. Lee inflicts

staggering death tolls, but Grant’s total war is

taking its toll on the smaller armies.

Cold Harbor

Overland Campain

Grant’s Union Army of the Potomac’s quest to get to Richmond.

Staggering Union defeat that left even Grant bewildered at a 3-1 death toll ratio.

He indicated:

"I have always regretted that the last assault at Cold Harbor was ever made. I might say the same thing of the assault of the 22d of May, 1863, at Vicksburg. At Cold Harbor no advantage whatever was gained to compensate for the heavy loss we sustained."

Sherman’s March to the Sea

Grant’s apocalyptic march to Richmond

distracted Confederate forces and after union

Victories at Chattanooga and Vicksburg,

Sherman had a clear path to the sea..

Battle of Kennesaw Mountain paved the way.

Goal—‖make Georgia howl‖.

Impact on election of 1864

Kennesaw Mountain

Sherman embraces Lee’s concept of Total

War.

Atlanta left in ruin. Only Savannah spared.

The March to the Sea

Scorched Earth, Theft, Destruction, ruined

Railroad transportation.

Appomattox Court House

Generous Terms

Lee was surprised to learn that Grant allowed

the men to return home immediately and

plant a crop, using their horses to do so.

The Election of 1864

Republican and

Democrats divided.

Issues ranging from

war handling, to

emancipation, to

finances, to

character.

Copperheads

Amazing it occurred

at all?

Assassination of Lincoln

Details

Impact

Toll

Modern Warfare

Modern warfare generally connotes wars

fought after the French Revolution by large

citizen armies equipped with the products of

the Industrial Revolution and motivated by

ideology.

By this definition do you view the Civil War as

an example of ―modern warfare‖?

Total War

―by 1865 under the pressure of total war the

Confederate South had surrendered most of

its cherished way of life‖

By definition: a form of social organization

that has given war a character of national

totality—that is the entire population and all of

the resources are sucked into the war‖

Given that definition do you agree with the

statement in the 1st bullet point?

Discuss this quote in the context of

total war: ―When men take up arms to resist a rightful authority, we are compelled to use

like force, because all reason and argument cease when arms are resorted to.

When the provisions, forage, horses, mules, wagons, etc., are used by our

enemy, it is clearly our duty and right to take them also, because otherwise

they might be used against us. In like manner all houses left vacant by an inimical people are clearly our right, and as such are needed as storehouses,

hospitals, and quarters. But the question arises as to dwellings used by

women, children, and non-combatants. [ So long as non-combatants remain in

their houses and keep to their accustomed peaceful business, their opinions

and prejudices can in no wise influence the war, and therefore should not be noticed; but if any one comes out into the public streets and creates disorder,

he or she should be punished, restrained, or banished to the rear or front, as

the officer in command adjudges If the people, or any of them, keep up a

correspondence with parties in hostility, they are spies, and can be punished

according to law with death or minor punishment. These are well-established principles of war, and this people of the South having appealed to war, are

barred from appealing for protection to our constitution, which I they have

practically and publicly defied. They have appealed to war, and must abide its

rules and laws.‖ William T. Sherman

Group Discussion

What ―non-combat‖ elements of warfare owe

their origins to the Civil War?

What challenges remain in the wake of the

Civil War?