The Furnace of Civil The Furnace of Civil WarWar

Chapter 21Chapter 21

1861-18651861-1865

Essential QuestionEssential Question

"The Civil War had started to preserve "The Civil War had started to preserve the Union, but for the majority in the Union, but for the majority in the North it had become a war to the North it had become a war to

create a more perfect Union." create a more perfect Union."

Assess the validity of this statement.Assess the validity of this statement.

Civil War: First ImpressionsCivil War: First Impressions

Lincoln only called up first troops for Lincoln only called up first troops for 90 days with limited goals90 days with limited goals– Believed war would quickly end with Believed war would quickly end with

strong display of federal forcestrong display of federal force– Declared he had “no purpose, directly or Declared he had “no purpose, directly or

indirectly, to interfere with slavery in the indirectly, to interfere with slavery in the States where it exists”States where it exists”

Civil War: First ImpressionsCivil War: First Impressions

Battle of Bull Run (1Battle of Bull Run (1stst Manassas) Manassas)– July 21,1861: Union moved to attack at July 21,1861: Union moved to attack at

Bull RunBull Run Treated as spectator event; witnesses Treated as spectator event; witnesses

bringing lunch to watchbringing lunch to watch At first battle went for Union, but At first battle went for Union, but

“Stonewall” Jackson’s men held and “Stonewall” Jackson’s men held and Confederate reinforcements arrivedConfederate reinforcements arrived

Union troops retreat in confusion; Union troops retreat in confusion; Confederate troops don’t pursue because Confederate troops don’t pursue because they are exhaustedthey are exhausted

Civil War: First ImpressionsCivil War: First Impressions

Paradoxical effects of Bull RunParadoxical effects of Bull Run– South’s victory increased South’s victory increased

overconfidenceoverconfidence Soldiers deserted with trophies, many Soldiers deserted with trophies, many

believed war was overbelieved war was over Enlistment rates decreased; preparations for Enlistment rates decreased; preparations for

long-term war slowedlong-term war slowed

– North’s defeat was better (long-term) for North’s defeat was better (long-term) for the Unionthe Union Ended belief that war would be over quicklyEnded belief that war would be over quickly Caused Northerners to prepare for long warCaused Northerners to prepare for long war

““Tardy” George McClellanTardy” George McClellan

Late 1861: General George B. McClellan Late 1861: General George B. McClellan given command of Army of the Potomac given command of Army of the Potomac (main army in Washington)(main army in Washington)– Serious student of warfare; had served in Serious student of warfare; had served in

Mexican War, observed Crimean WarMexican War, observed Crimean War– Excellent organizer and drillmasterExcellent organizer and drillmaster– Extremely cautious; refused to move unless Extremely cautious; refused to move unless

everything was perfect (and it never was)everything was perfect (and it never was)– Always believed enemy outnumbered himAlways believed enemy outnumbered him– Spoke to president disrespectfully and arrogantlySpoke to president disrespectfully and arrogantly– Finally “ordered” by Lincoln to advance to Finally “ordered” by Lincoln to advance to

RichmondRichmond

““Tardy” George McClellanTardy” George McClellan

Relieved of command in mid-1862Relieved of command in mid-1862 Union turned to 6-part strategy of total warUnion turned to 6-part strategy of total war

1.1. Suffocate South by blockading its portsSuffocate South by blockading its ports

2.2. Free the slave to undermine economy of SouthFree the slave to undermine economy of South

3.3. Cut Confederacy in 1/2 by taking control of Cut Confederacy in 1/2 by taking control of Mississippi RiverMississippi River

4.4. Cut Confederacy into pieces by sending troops Cut Confederacy into pieces by sending troops into Georgia and Carolinasinto Georgia and Carolinas

5.5. Take Confederate capital at Richmond, VirginiaTake Confederate capital at Richmond, Virginia

6.6. Engage the enemy everywhere and grind them Engage the enemy everywhere and grind them into submissioninto submission

The War at SeaThe War at Sea Blockade began with leaks and was Blockade began with leaks and was

strengthened as war went onstrengthened as war went on– At first, North concentrated on major ports At first, North concentrated on major ports

(where cotton could be loaded)(where cotton could be loaded) How did Europe see the blockade?How did Europe see the blockade?

– Would have defied it, but Britain warned Would have defied it, but Britain warned shippers they would punish violatorsshippers they would punish violators

– Britain, as major sea power, wanted its future Britain, as major sea power, wanted its future blockades respected alsoblockades respected also

Blockade runningBlockade running– Runners made profits up to 700%Runners made profits up to 700%– Finally slowed and stopped as North tightened Finally slowed and stopped as North tightened

the blockadethe blockade

The War at SeaThe War at Sea

Merrimack vs. the MonitorMerrimack vs. the Monitor– 1862 – South rebuilt an old US warship (the 1862 – South rebuilt an old US warship (the

Merrimack); used old iron rails to plate its Merrimack); used old iron rails to plate its sides; ship renamed the Virginiasides; ship renamed the Virginia

– Merrimack easily destroyed 2 Union ships; Merrimack easily destroyed 2 Union ships; threatened entire blockadethreatened entire blockade

– March 9, 1862 – Monitor (a small Union iron March 9, 1862 – Monitor (a small Union iron ship) fought Merrimack to standstillship) fought Merrimack to standstill

– Confederates destroyed Merrimack to keep it Confederates destroyed Merrimack to keep it from being captured by Unionfrom being captured by Union

Antietam: Most Important Antietam: Most Important BattleBattle

September 17, 1862 – battle at Antietam Creek, September 17, 1862 – battle at Antietam Creek, MarylandMaryland– Lincoln restored McClellan to command of Northern Lincoln restored McClellan to command of Northern

ArmyArmy– Northern soldiers found a copy of Lee’s battle plans Northern soldiers found a copy of Lee’s battle plans

wrapped around 3 cigars drooped by a Confederate wrapped around 3 cigars drooped by a Confederate officerofficer

McClellan stopped Lee’s advance on the bloodiest McClellan stopped Lee’s advance on the bloodiest day of the war (3,600 dead on both sides, over day of the war (3,600 dead on both sides, over 20,000 ruined)20,000 ruined)

Lee forced to retreat back across Potomac Lee forced to retreat back across Potomac McClellan relieved of command for not pursuing McClellan relieved of command for not pursuing Lee’s retreating armyLee’s retreating army

Antietam: Most Important Antietam: Most Important BattleBattle

Importance of AntietamImportance of Antietam– Most decisive battle of Civil War; South had come very close Most decisive battle of Civil War; South had come very close

to victoryto victory– British and French governments close to diplomatic British and French governments close to diplomatic

mediation (between North and South); a likely rejection by mediation (between North and South); a likely rejection by North might have led to Britain and France helping SouthNorth might have led to Britain and France helping South

Lincoln finally ready to issue Emancipation Lincoln finally ready to issue Emancipation Proclamation after a victoryProclamation after a victory– Didn’t want to do so after defeats (to avoid looking Didn’t want to do so after defeats (to avoid looking

desperate)desperate)– September 23, 1862 – preliminary Emancipation September 23, 1862 – preliminary Emancipation

Proclamation issuedProclamation issued– Said that on January 1, 1863, president would issue final Said that on January 1, 1863, president would issue final

proclamation, making the Civil War a crusade against proclamation, making the Civil War a crusade against slaveryslavery

A Proclamation Without A Proclamation Without EmancipationEmancipation

The Emancipation ProclamationThe Emancipation Proclamation– Did not actually free 1 slaveDid not actually free 1 slave– Declared “forever free” slaves in Declared “forever free” slaves in

Confederate statesConfederate states– Did not affect slaves in Border States or Did not affect slaves in Border States or

areas of South the Union had conqueredareas of South the Union had conquered– Feared emancipation would cause Feared emancipation would cause

disunion in Union-controlled areas if disunion in Union-controlled areas if carried out therecarried out there

A Proclamation Without A Proclamation Without EmancipationEmancipation

Effect of Emancipation ProclamationEffect of Emancipation Proclamation– Moral cause of the North strengthened in Moral cause of the North strengthened in

US and EuropeUS and Europe– South’s moral position weakenedSouth’s moral position weakened– Showed that slavery was over in all of Showed that slavery was over in all of

South when North won the warSouth when North won the war– Changed nature of the war because there Changed nature of the war because there

was no chance of negotiation to end the was no chance of negotiation to end the war; one side would have to be defeatedwar; one side would have to be defeated

A Proclamation Without A Proclamation Without EmancipationEmancipation

Northern reaction to the ProclamationNorthern reaction to the Proclamation– Moderate abolitionists praised LincolnModerate abolitionists praised Lincoln– Many radical abolitionists believed Lincoln had Many radical abolitionists believed Lincoln had

not gone far enoughnot gone far enough– Many Northerners (especially working class and Many Northerners (especially working class and

from regions in North close to Mississippi River from regions in North close to Mississippi River or Border States) believed he had gone to faror Border States) believed he had gone to far

– Fall 1862 elections went against Republicans Fall 1862 elections went against Republicans (although they kept control of Congress)(although they kept control of Congress)

– Desertions in Union army increased; soldiers Desertions in Union army increased; soldiers (especially from Border States) fought to (especially from Border States) fought to preserve the Union, not free slavespreserve the Union, not free slaves

A Proclamation Without A Proclamation Without EmancipationEmancipation

Southern reaction to the ProclamationSouthern reaction to the Proclamation– ““Lincoln the fiend” was trying to cause Lincoln the fiend” was trying to cause

slave insurrection in Southslave insurrection in South European reaction to the ProclamationEuropean reaction to the Proclamation

– Upper classes sympathized with South Upper classes sympathized with South – Lower classes (especially Britain) saw that Lower classes (especially Britain) saw that

slavery was to be ended if North won; slavery was to be ended if North won; even more opposed to intervention on even more opposed to intervention on side of Southside of South

GettysburgGettysburg

July 1 – 3, 1863 – GettysburgJuly 1 – 3, 1863 – Gettysburg– Meade (with 92,000 men) took stand on a Meade (with 92,000 men) took stand on a

low ridge over a valleylow ridge over a valley– Lee (with 76,000 men) moved in to attackLee (with 76,000 men) moved in to attack– Battle went back and forth over 3 daysBattle went back and forth over 3 days– General George Pickett’s charge against General George Pickett’s charge against

Union lines driven back, breaking Union lines driven back, breaking Confederate advance, forcing Lee to Confederate advance, forcing Lee to retreatretreat

GettysburgGettysburg

Importance of GettysburgImportance of Gettysburg– Northernmost point that Confederate Northernmost point that Confederate

troops reachedtroops reached– Confederate peace delegation (moving Confederate peace delegation (moving

toward Washington from south, while it toward Washington from south, while it was hoped victorious Confederate Army was hoped victorious Confederate Army advanced on Washington from north) advanced on Washington from north) rejected by Lincolnrejected by Lincoln

– Final chance for Southern victory; South Final chance for Southern victory; South fought lost cause for 2 more yearsfought lost cause for 2 more years

GettysburgGettysburg

November 19, 1863 – Gettysburg November 19, 1863 – Gettysburg Address delivered by President Address delivered by President LincolnLincoln– 2-minute address (following 2 hour 2-minute address (following 2 hour

address by a former president of address by a former president of Harvard)Harvard)

– Not appreciated at the time; now seen Not appreciated at the time; now seen as one of the greatest speeches in US as one of the greatest speeches in US historyhistory

Ulysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant Lincoln finally found General Ulysses S. Grant to Lincoln finally found General Ulysses S. Grant to

win the warwin the war– Grant showed he could fight and win first in West, before Grant showed he could fight and win first in West, before

being moved East to finish warbeing moved East to finish war Grant’s backgroundGrant’s background

– Mediocre student at West PointMediocre student at West Point– Had fought in Mexican WarHad fought in Mexican War– Stationed in isolated western postsStationed in isolated western posts– Boredom and loneliness drove Grant to drinkingBoredom and loneliness drove Grant to drinking– Resigned from army to avoid court martial for Resigned from army to avoid court martial for

drunkennessdrunkenness– Worked for his father in Illinois at a leather store before Worked for his father in Illinois at a leather store before

Civil WarCivil War– Became a colonel in Union Army and rose from thereBecame a colonel in Union Army and rose from there– Grant continued to drink, but Lincoln refused to punish Grant continued to drink, but Lincoln refused to punish

him because of his successeshim because of his successes– No evidence drinking impaired his military performanceNo evidence drinking impaired his military performance

War in the WestWar in the West July 4, 1863: VicksburgJuly 4, 1863: Vicksburg

– General Grant laid siege to city for several General Grant laid siege to city for several months, starving out the citymonths, starving out the city

– Confederates inside ate rats and mules to Confederates inside ate rats and mules to survivesurvive

– Vicksburg surrendered to Grant day after Vicksburg surrendered to Grant day after Confederate defeat at GettysburgConfederate defeat at Gettysburg

Importance of the fall of MississippiImportance of the fall of Mississippi– Back-to-back victories gave North huge Back-to-back victories gave North huge

psychological boostpsychological boost– Stopped peace agitation in areas of North Stopped peace agitation in areas of North

around Mississippi Riveraround Mississippi River– Confederates had cut off their trade down Confederates had cut off their trade down

Mississippi RiverMississippi River– Britain and France both ended plans to support Britain and France both ended plans to support

Confederacy (by delivering ships)Confederacy (by delivering ships)

Sherman’s March to the SeaSherman’s March to the Sea Conquest of Georgia led by General Conquest of Georgia led by General

William Tecumseh ShermanWilliam Tecumseh Sherman– September 1864: Atlanta capturedSeptember 1864: Atlanta captured– November 1864: Atlanta burnedNovember 1864: Atlanta burned

November – December 1864: Sherman’s November – December 1864: Sherman’s march to the seamarch to the sea– March of 250 miles from Atlanta to Savannah, March of 250 miles from Atlanta to Savannah,

GeorgiaGeorgia– 60,000 Union soldiers lived off the land, taking 60,000 Union soldiers lived off the land, taking

food and supplies from Southfood and supplies from South– Union burned buildings, tore up railroads and Union burned buildings, tore up railroads and

destroyed as much as they coulddestroyed as much as they could– ““War…is all hell” (Sherman)War…is all hell” (Sherman)

Purpose was to destroy supplies and morale of SouthPurpose was to destroy supplies and morale of South Probably shortened the war and saved livesProbably shortened the war and saved lives

The Politics of WarThe Politics of War ““War Democrats”War Democrats”

– Supported Lincoln and the warSupported Lincoln and the war ““Peace Democrats”Peace Democrats”

– Did not support the warDid not support the war Copperheads (Named for poisonous Copperheads (Named for poisonous

snake)snake)– Radicals who opposed to the war and Radicals who opposed to the war and

openly sympathized with the Southopenly sympathized with the South– Attacked the draft, Lincoln, and Attacked the draft, Lincoln, and

emancipationemancipation– Strong in southern Ohio, Illinois, IndianaStrong in southern Ohio, Illinois, Indiana

The Politics of WarThe Politics of War Lincoln’s authority depended on his Lincoln’s authority depended on his

defeating the Peace Democrats and defeating the Peace Democrats and CopperheadsCopperheads– Republicans joined with War Democrats to Republicans joined with War Democrats to

form the Union Party (in existence for only that form the Union Party (in existence for only that election) to gain more votes and supportelection) to gain more votes and support

The election of 1864: the resultsThe election of 1864: the results– Lincoln won with 212 to 21 electoral votesLincoln won with 212 to 21 electoral votes– Helped by Northern soldiers furloughed (sent Helped by Northern soldiers furloughed (sent

home) to vote for Lincolnhome) to vote for Lincoln– Close popular vote; Close popular vote; McClellanMcClellan won 45% won 45%

2.2 million to 1.8 million popular vote2.2 million to 1.8 million popular vote

– Lincoln’s win ended last hope for SouthLincoln’s win ended last hope for South

The Politics of WarThe Politics of War

Grant outlasts LeeGrant outlasts Lee

April 1865 – North captured April 1865 – North captured Richmond and trapped Lee at Richmond and trapped Lee at Appomattox Court House in VirginiaAppomattox Court House in Virginia– Lee surrendered to GrantLee surrendered to Grant– Grant gave generous surrender terms to Grant gave generous surrender terms to

SouthSouth– Lincoln traveled to Richmond right after Lincoln traveled to Richmond right after

surrendersurrender– Recognized by freed slaves as their Recognized by freed slaves as their

emancipatoremancipator

Lincoln’s MartyrdomLincoln’s Martyrdom Friday, April 14, 1865: Lincoln’s assassinationFriday, April 14, 1865: Lincoln’s assassination

– Only 5 days after Lee’s surrenderOnly 5 days after Lee’s surrender– John Wilkes Booth, a fanatical, pro- Southern actor, came John Wilkes Booth, a fanatical, pro- Southern actor, came

in behind Lincoln in his balcony seat and shot him in the in behind Lincoln in his balcony seat and shot him in the headhead

– Lincoln died the next morningLincoln died the next morning Impact of Lincoln’s deathImpact of Lincoln’s death

– Lincoln’s faults minimized; he became hero to NorthLincoln’s faults minimized; he became hero to North– Some in South at first cheered, but soon learned his Some in South at first cheered, but soon learned his

death was a disaster for themdeath was a disaster for them– He was moderate and reasonable, and would have been He was moderate and reasonable, and would have been

able to lead Reconstruction much more ably than able to lead Reconstruction much more ably than Johnson could (or did)Johnson could (or did)

The Civil War AftermathThe Civil War Aftermath Casualties of warCasualties of war

– 600,000 men died in the war (of the war or of disease)600,000 men died in the war (of the war or of disease)– 400,000 more were wounded400,000 more were wounded

Monetary cost: $15 billion in direct costsMonetary cost: $15 billion in direct costs– More money spent on continuing expenses (pensions, interest More money spent on continuing expenses (pensions, interest

on national debt)on national debt) Intangible costs impossible to calculateIntangible costs impossible to calculate

– Dislocations, wasted energies, lowered ethics, ruined lives, Dislocations, wasted energies, lowered ethics, ruined lives, bitter memories and hatredbitter memories and hatred

Civil War decided once and for all the problem of states’ Civil War decided once and for all the problem of states’ rights versus federal powerrights versus federal power– Federal government was supreme to the statesFederal government was supreme to the states

Democracy proven in US, spread to EuropeDemocracy proven in US, spread to Europe 1867 – England became true political democracy1867 – England became true political democracy