Lesson 6 The Civil War

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) was the 16th President of the United States during one of the most consequential periods in American history, the Civil War. Before being elected president, Lincoln served in the Illinois legislature and lost an election for the U.S. Senate to Stephen A. Douglas. Nevertheless, his fierce campaign earned him a nomination for the presidency. The first Republican president ever, Lincoln led the Union to victory in the Civil War and ended slavery in America.

Harriet Tubman

Born into slavery in Maryland, Harriet Tubman (c. 1820 -1913) escaped to freedom in the North in 1849 to become the most famous "conductor" on the Underground Railroad. Tubman risked her life to lead hundreds of family members and other slaves from the plantation system to freedom on this elaborate secret network of safe houses. A leading abolitionist before the American Civil War, Tubman also helped the Union Army during the war, working as a spy among other roles.

Frederick Douglass

Abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass was born into slavery sometime around 1818 (d. 1895) in Talbot County, Maryland. He became one of the most famous intellectuals of his time, advising presidents and lecturing to thousands on a range of causes, including women’s rights and Irish home rule.

Among Douglass’ writings are several autobiographies eloquently describing his experiences in slavery and his life after the Civil War, including the well-known work Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave.

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811–1896) was an American abolitionist and novelist who wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin, one of the most influential books in American history. The publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin brought the issue of slavery home to millions of Americans. The story, which helped galvanize the abolitionist movement, is a dramatic—if somewhat patronizing—portrayal of the pain and heartbreak suffered by slaves throughout the South. It sold 500,000 copies in its first four years in print, a record in book sales.

Jefferson Davis

Jefferson Davis (1808–1889) was the first and only President of the Confederate States of America. After a distinguished career in national politics as Secretary of War under Franklin Pierce, Davis served as a congressman and then as a Mississippi senator. After the South's defeat in the Civil War, he was stripped of his citizenship and took refuge in Europe, returning to the United States after a treason case against him was dropped. He died in New Orleans in 1889, and Congress posthumously reinstated his American citizenship in 1978.

Robert E. Lee

Robert E. Lee (1807–1870) was one of the most talented and successful generals of the Civil War. After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1846, Lee fought in the Mexican-American War, where he showed his excellent leadership skills.

In 1859, he was in command of the force that captured abolitionist John Brown at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. Though he was against secession, he declined Lincoln's offer to command the Union Army, instead declaring his allegiance to his home state of Virginia. Lee commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia until his surrender to General Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9th, 1865.

Ulysses S. Grant

Ulysses S. Grant (1822–1885) served as Commander in Chief of the Union Army during the Civil War, leading the North to victory over the Confederacy. Grant later became the 18th President of the United States, serving from 1869 to 1877. After fighting in the Mexican-American War, Grant left the army, only to rejoin at the outbreak of the Civil War. Grant's subsequent presidency was mired in corruption, and he became caught up in several political scandals.

Stonewall Jackson

Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson ( 1824-1863) was a Confederate lieutenant general in the Civil War. Only General Robert E. Lee occupies a higher place in the Confederate pantheon, and prior to the Seven Days Battles, Jackson was a greater hero to the South than Lee was. A devout Christian who believed in predestination, he saw himself as an instrument of God’s will, an Old Testament–style commander of armies in the service of his Lord. He was mortally wounded by his own men during the Battle of Chancellorsville, and many people have speculated that if he had been alive to participate in Lee’s Pennsylvania Campaign the Battle of Gettysburg would have resulted in Confederate victory.

Robert Gould Shaw

Robert Gould Shaw (1837–1863) was the white colonel in charge of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, one of the first all-Black units to fight for the Union during the Civil War. He was killed while storming a Confederate battery at Fort Wagner in Charleston on July 18th, 1863.

Shaw is remembered for his leadership of African-American troops and the over 200 letters he wrote to his family from the front. Over 200,000 Black soldiers fought for the Union, but, invariably, white officers commanded them.

Lincoln gets elected

Secession of South Carolina

Dec 20, 1860

Nov 6, 1860

An ambitious leader, Abraham Lincoln was elected to lead the nation. Lincoln was one of the most respected members of the Republican Party, which opposed slavery and was very famous in North.

South Carolina announced its secession from the Union, by issuing the ‘Ordinance of Secession’. One of the main reasons behind South Carolina’s secession was Lincoln’s opposition to slavery.

Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln

Formation of the Confederate States

Mar 4, 1861

Jan 9-Feb 9, 1861

Amid all the chaos and uncertainty, Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as the President of the Union.

In a matter of a couple of months, a number of other states decided to follow the footsteps of South Carolina, by also announcing their secession from the Union. Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, Florida and Mississippi formed the confederate states. Former Senator Jefferson Davis was appointed as the President of the newly formed Confederate States.

Abraham calls for military action against rebels

The First Battle of Fort Sumter

Apr 15, 1861

Apr 12, 1861

In a special session of Congress, Lincoln asked for 75,000 people to help defeat the rebels. A couple of weeks later, in May, Lincoln called for another 43000 soldiers, to help win the war.

When the Fort Sumter was resupplied on April 12th, Confederate troops began shelling it from the mainland. The bombardment lasted for 34 hours straight, until the Union soldiers surrendered. Surprisingly, no soldiers on either side were killed by enemy fire.

More States secede

The First Battle of Bull Run

Jul 21, 1861

Apr - May, 1861

The states of Arkansas, Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina announced their allegiance to the Confederation.

It occurred near Manassas, Virginia. Union forces from Washington, DC totaling 28,450, under the command of General Irvin McDowell, attempted to surprise 32,230 Confederate troops. The Union suffered nearly 3,000 casualties. To everyone’s astonishment, the Confederate army won the contest. Soon after this defeat, Lincoln made a famous comment about the war; he said, ‘It’s bad. It’s damned bad.’ This is the battle that earned "stonewall" Jackson his name.

FYI

The war confounded expectations in other ways: both sides expected it to end quickly. Southerners, especially, expected it to be decided by the exercise of valor. The North finally won by using its greater human and industrial capital. The cost in suffering to soldiers and civilians was very high, however, and the war’s outcome was very much in doubt until its closing months. The Confederate States of America might well have won the Civil War.

Rampant illness, shortages of supplies, poor camp conditions, and very high casualty rates quickly overshadowed the noble ideas that soldiers brought to the war.

Battles of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in Tennessee

Jefferson Davis is inaugurated

Feb 22, 1862

Feb, 1862

Former Senator Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as the President of the Confederate States in February 1862.

Both of these battles happened in the same month 10 miles apart from eachother. The Confederate’s Fort Henry fell on Feb 5th, General Ulysses S. Grant‘s troops and 7 gunboats from the Union began shelling the fort. The Confederate troops evacuated Fort Henry and moved to Fort Donelson 10 miles away, and Grant’s troops followed them. Union casualties were 2,331 while the Confederacy suffered more than 15,000. The Union could now head south through Tennessee. This was the Unions first victory.

Battle and Capture of New Orleans

The Battle of Hampton Roads

Apr 13, 1862

Mar 8, 1862

The Capture of New Orleans by Union forces was a major turning point in the war. New Orleans was the Confederacy’s largest city, and, given its location at the mouth of the Mississippi River, a trading location with a powerful and economical port.

The most famous and well-known naval battle of the Civil War. It was also the first battle between two ironclad ships, the Monitor and the Merrimack. In the end neither side was declared the winner. But this battle got nationwide attention and also revolutionized how warships were build.

Battle of Bull Run

Lee takes over the Command of Confederates

Aug 30-31, 1862

May 31, 1862

Second battle of Bull Run brings victory for the Confederates, pushing the Union back to Washington, DC.

After General Johnston got severely wounded in a battle, the command of the Confederate army was given to Robert E. Lee.

The Emancipation Proclamation

The Battle of Antietam

Jan 1, 1863

Sep 17, 1862

The Emancipation Proclamation was an executive order that Abraham Lincoln signed on January 1, 1863. It proclaimed the freedom of the 3.1 million slaves in the Confederate States of America. This enraged the south and turned this into a total war to destroy the Old South.

The Battle of Antietam was the first battle of the war to take place on Northern soil. It was the the bloodiest day in the American Civil War, with a total of over 23,000 casualties including more than 4,800 killed. (In fact, more Americans were killed on this day than on any other day in American military history)

Battle of Fredericksburg

Dec 13, 1862

Lincoln repeals the Fugitive Slave Laws

The Union faced another defeat in the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

28 Jun, 1864

Battle of Gettysburg

Jul 1-2, 1863

The Union restored its morale by defeating the Confederates in the Battle of Gettysburg.

Abraham Lincoln repealed the Fugitive Slave Laws, to the relief of scores of slaves living in the country.

Jul 4, 1863

Union takes over of Mississippi River

Taking control over the Mississippi River, thereby dividing the Confederacy into two parts, strengthened the Union’s grip over the matters of the war.

Lincoln is re-elected

Battle of Chattanooga

Nov 28, 1863

Nov 8, 1864

The Union’s control over the war grew stronger when the Confederate army suffered another defeat in the Battle of Chattanooga in Tennessee.

Abraham Lincoln was re-elected as the President of the Union.

Jan 13, 1865

Congress approves 13th Amendment

Lee Surrenders to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse

The Union faced another defeat in the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Apr 9, 1865

Closure of Wilmington Port

Feb 22, 1865

The Union restored its morale by defeating the Confederates in the Battle of Gettysburg.

Inauguration of Lincoln

Mar 4, 1865

After evacuating Richmond, General Lee’s troops were soon surrounded, and on April 7, Grant called Lee to surrender. On April 9, the two commanders met at Appomattox Courthouse, and agreed on the terms of surrender.

Taking control over the Mississippi River, thereby dividing the Confederacy into two parts, strengthened the Union’s grip over the matters of the war.

Apr 3, 1865

Confederate capital city is captured by Union

The Union’s control over the war grew stronger when the Confederate army suffered another defeat in the Battle of Chattanooga in Tennessee.

In the meantime...

• Over four year conflict - many Northerners and Southerners alike counted the war’s costs as too high.

• The Civil War left hundreds of thousands of Americans dead, wounded, or disillusioned

• It kept the Union intact, ended slavery, and expanded opportunities for African Americans and white women.

• It brought an expanded and lasting role for government in both economic and private life, while stimulating industrialization in the South, as well as the North.

CONVO!

In these conflicts, what role do you think rivers, ports and railroads play?

The Civil War is still the deadliest (roughly 700,000 dead) military conflict that the USA has participated in - what do you think about this?

In addition to the question about slavery, what other elements motivated the South to declare independence, and the North to declare war on the Confederacy?

The Anaconda Plan

• A naval blockade from Louisiana to Virginia
• Control of the Mississippi River
• Capture Richmond

The Balance of Resources

The North’s white population greatly exceeded that of the South, suggesting a powerful military advantage. Yet in the early days of war, the armies were not unevenly matched. Almost 187,000 Union troops bore arms in July 1861, while just over 11 ,000 men marched under Confederate colors. Even if numerically inferior, southerners believed that their population would prove the superior fighting force because it was more accustomed to outdoor life and the use of firearms. Furthermore, slaves could carry on vital work behind the lines, freeing most adult white males for service.

S.C. 1962-2015

The Balance of Resources

The North had one factory for every southern industrial worker, and 70 percent of the nation’s railroad tracks were in the North. Producing 17 times as much cotton cloth and woolen goods, times as many firearms, and 0 times as much pig iron as the South, the North could clothe and arm troops and move them and their supplies on a scale that the South could not match. But to be effective, northern industrial resources had to be mobilized for war. That would take time, especially because the government did not intend to direct production. Furthermore, the depleted northern treasury made the government’s first task the raising of funds to pay for military necessities.

Border States

For the North, every border state that remained loyal represented a psychological triumph for the idea of Union. Nor was the North indifferent to the economic and strategic advantages of keeping the border states with the Union. Lincoln’s call for troops precipitated decisions in several states, however. Between April 17 and May 0, 1861, Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina joined the Confederacy

Indians in the War

More devoted to the Confederate cause was Stand Watie, the brother of Elias Boudinot (one of the Cherokee leaders to have signed the original removal treaty). Backed by many Cherokee slaveholders, Stand Watie proceeded to mobilize what he called the “United Nations of Indians” as a fighting force on behalf of the Confederacy. Among those responding to the call to arms were Chocktaw and Chickasaw men, who formed Company E of the 1st Mississippi Regiment, “the Indian Brigade.”

Yet most Confederate generals, like George Washington during the Seven Years’ War, measured Indians by European American standards of what made a “proper” soldier on the battlefield. In the summer of 186 the Confederacy lost its advantage in Confederate territory; the Cherokee and Creek were divided in their loyalties, with some joining Union forces and all “undisciplined . . . [and] not very reliable.” By this time, the Comanche and Kiowa, resentful of the Confederacy’s broken promises (guns and money diverted from them), had joined Union troops and were threatening to invade Texas.

The British (and Canadians)

The Confederates were hoping that Britain - and thus Canada - would join France in a military intervention in favor of the South, which was a strong economic partner.

Canada (as part of the British Crown), had already abolished slavery in 1833, and was one of the leading exporters of abolitionist thought.

The general position of the British government was to not acknowledge the independence of the South, remaining officially neutral. Over 90 percent of Confederate trade with Britain ended, causing a severe shortage of cotton by 1862, which the British were able to remedy with cotton supplies from India and Egypt.

CONVO!

• What were the causes of the Civil War?

What are the consequences of manifest destiny?

• Was the Civil War inevitable?

• How did the Civil War forever change the nation?

Assessment activity 1

Assessment activity 2