From Bull Run to From Bull Run to AntietamAntietam

The Civil WarThe Civil War

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Historians tend to believe that 5 general Historians tend to believe that 5 general theories exist about why the Civil War theories exist about why the Civil War occurred.occurred.

In small groups of 2-3, use your In small groups of 2-3, use your information sheet to rank them from most information sheet to rank them from most convincing (5) to least convincing (1).convincing (5) to least convincing (1).

We will compare results in a few minutes.We will compare results in a few minutes.

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The 5 theories:The 5 theories:

Poor political leaders in the 1850sPoor political leaders in the 1850s

Struggle over slaveryStruggle over slavery

Economic & cultural differences between Economic & cultural differences between the regionsthe regions

Breakdown of democracyBreakdown of democracy

Conflict over the nature of the unionConflict over the nature of the union

Setting the SceneSetting the Scene

The 1The 1stst shots fired on Ft. Sumter, South shots fired on Ft. Sumter, South Carolina in April 1861 signaled the start of Carolina in April 1861 signaled the start of the nation’s the nation’s Civil WarCivil War (the war between (the war between the Union states of the North and the the Union states of the North and the Confederate states of the South)Confederate states of the South)

Few people imagined that it would be the Few people imagined that it would be the long, drawn out war it became.long, drawn out war it became. Most northerners predicted it would be over in Most northerners predicted it would be over in

6 months or less!6 months or less!

By May 1861, the Upper South (Virginia, By May 1861, the Upper South (Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee & Arkansas) North Carolina, Tennessee & Arkansas) had joined the Confederacy.had joined the Confederacy.

Confederate capital moved from Confederate capital moved from Montgomery, AL, to Richmond, VA, just Montgomery, AL, to Richmond, VA, just 100 miles from Washington, D.C.100 miles from Washington, D.C.

In July 1861, a poorly prepared Union In July 1861, a poorly prepared Union army marched on Richmond, VA.army marched on Richmond, VA.

They met Confederate troops in the First They met Confederate troops in the First Battle of Bull Run.Battle of Bull Run.

Photograph of the Bull Run battlefield

Due to the Union troops lack of training & Due to the Union troops lack of training & talented Confederate General Thomas talented Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, the Union army was “Stonewall” Jackson, the Union army was defeated.defeated.

General “Stonewall”

Jackson

NORTH: Strategies

Use a naval blockade to prevent the South from trading cotton with Europe

Invade the South from the West to cut it in half, divide supplies & troops

Gain control of the Mississippi River

Capture the Confederate capital of Richmond, VA

SOUTH: Strategies

Prepare & wait, hoping the Union would not pursue war (defensive strategy)

Wage a war of attrition: continually inflict losses on the North & gradually wear them down

Gain the support of European nations (need the South to trade cotton with)

The War in the WestThe War in the WestGeneral Ulysses S. Grant won important General Ulysses S. Grant won important Union victories on the Mississippi River at Union victories on the Mississippi River at Forts Henry & Donelson and at the Battle Forts Henry & Donelson and at the Battle of Shiloh.of Shiloh.

Battles in theBattles in the

west took placewest took place

mainly alongmainly along

rivers.rivers.

General Grant (will eventually become President!)

Grant’s plan was to take control of the Grant’s plan was to take control of the Mississippi River and split the Confederacy Mississippi River and split the Confederacy into two parts.into two parts.

The War in the EastThe War in the EastIn the East, a naval battle raged between In the East, a naval battle raged between 2 ironclad warships, the 2 ironclad warships, the MerrimackMerrimack and and the the MonitorMonitor..

The IroncladsThe Ironclads

The War in the EastThe War in the EastOn land, Union forces threatened On land, Union forces threatened Richmond, but Confederate General Richmond, but Confederate General Robert E. Lee was victorious at the Robert E. Lee was victorious at the Second Battle of Bull Run.Second Battle of Bull Run.

Union General McClellanUnion General McClellan

was best known for hiswas best known for his

caution.caution.

General Robert E. Lee

In 1862, Lee invaded the North and fought In 1862, Lee invaded the North and fought at the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest at the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest one-day battle of the war.one-day battle of the war.

Battlefield View

Hill where General Lee set up camp

Dunker Church

Cornfield

Cornfield

Cornfield

Bloody Lane

View from Bloody Lane

Burnside Bridge and Antietam Creek

AntietamAntietamThe Union won a narrow victory.The Union won a narrow victory.

However slim, it did deny General Lee a However slim, it did deny General Lee a chance to win a battle on Union soil.chance to win a battle on Union soil.

After the battle, President Lincoln became dissatisfied After the battle, President Lincoln became dissatisfied with General McClellan’s command because he though with General McClellan’s command because he though McClellan was too slow to take action.McClellan was too slow to take action.

The President urged him to attack the Confederate The President urged him to attack the Confederate capital of Richmond, VA.capital of Richmond, VA.

Assignment: Identifying Assignment: Identifying Advantages & DisadvantagesAdvantages & Disadvantages

Write a 1 to 2 paragraph essay Write a 1 to 2 paragraph essay answering the following prompt:answering the following prompt:

Identify and discuss two specific Identify and discuss two specific advantages that the North had over the advantages that the North had over the South during the Civil War and two South during the Civil War and two specific advantages that the South had specific advantages that the South had over the North.over the North.