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