The Civil War1861-1865

The war begins

• Lincoln inaugurated March 1861• Unclear how he would respond to

SC & the other 6 states• He assured southerners that he

had no intention of interfering with slavery

• He warned that no state had the right to secede

• “In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow-countrymen, and not in mine is the momentous issue of civil war. The government will not assail you. You can have no conflict without being yourselves the aggressors.”--Abraham Lincoln, Inauguration speech.

Fort SumterFort Sumter

• 2 forts in the South were still occupied by Federal troops

• One was Fort Sumter in Charleston, SC

• Lincoln chose to send supplies to the fort & allow SC to decide whether or not to allow it

• Confederates began bombarding Ft. Sumter on April 12, 1861

President Abraham Lincoln’s reaction Acted as no other

president had before him

Often acting without approval of Congress

Claim such action as necessary “as indispensable to the public safety.”

Lincoln

Called for 75,000 volunteers to put down the insurrection90 day enlistment period

Authorized spending for the war Suspended the writ of habeas corpus

Congress was not in session when Lincoln did these things

The South’s Reaction After Ft. Sumter 4 other southern states

secededVirginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, &

Arkansas The capital was moved to Richmond, VA 4 slaveholding states remained in the

UnionBorder states:

Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, & Delaware

Border States

Keeping the border states in the Union was imperative to Lincoln

Loss of these states would have increased the population of the CS by 50%

These states were strategically important for the war

Lincoln was reluctant to push for emancipation fearing alienation of these states

Civil War Names

• The War Between the States• The War for Southern Independence• Mr. Lincoln’s War• The Southern Rebellion• The War of the Rebellion• The Second War for Independence• The War to Suppress Yankee Arrogance• The War Against Northern Aggression• The War of the Southern Planters• The War for the Union• The War for Southern Freedom• The Lost Cause

Civil War Nicknames Confederate States of America

The South, CS, CSA, Rebels, Confederates, Johnny Reb, Secesh

SC, NC, GA, FL, MS, AL, TN, AK, VA, TX, & LA United States of America

The North, US, USA, Yankees, Billy Yank, Federals, Bluebellies

First Modern War

• Rifled muskets• Telegraph• Ironclad ships• Submarines• Total warfare• Workable machine gun• Aerial reconnaissance • Field trenches• Photography of battle• Repeating rifles• Bugle call “Taps”• Income tax

Military Advantages

CS Fight a defensive war Move troops shorter distances Long coast difficult to blockade Experienced military leaders

US Population: 22 million vs. 5.5 million

2.5:1; free males 4.4:1 800,000 immigrants Freed slaves

US Navy

Economic Advantages CS

Hoped overseas demand for cotton would draw support from foreign powers, esp. the U.K.

US Controlled most of the banking & capital of the US Wealth produced 3:1 (factory production: 10:1)

85% of all factories & manufactured goods Transportation (railroad mileage: 7:1)

70% of railroads 65% of farmland

Political Advantages The North

Well established strong central government Strong leadership of Abraham Lincoln

The South Hurt by it’s own ideology of state’s rights

Lacked a strong central government Hoped that the North would turn on Lincoln & get

tired of the war

Strategies Northern strategy

Capture Richmond Occupy border states Divide the CS in two by taking control of Mississippi River Blockade southern ports & cut off supply line to South

Anaconda Plan Southern strategy

Capture Washington, D.C. Control border states Gain support of England

Theatres Western theatre Eastern theatre

Confederate States of Confederate States of AmericaAmerica

C.S.A.C.S.A. Constitution modeled after U.S. Constitution modeled after U.S.

ConstitutionConstitution One 6-year term for president & v.p.One 6-year term for president & v.p. President had item veto powerPresident had item veto power Congress could not pass protective tariffs or Congress could not pass protective tariffs or

fund internal improvementsfund internal improvements Foreign slave trade was prohibitedForeign slave trade was prohibited

Pres. Davis struggled to increase power of Pres. Davis struggled to increase power of the presidency during the war; state the presidency during the war; state governors resistedgovernors resisted

The CS faced serious shortage of money The CS faced serious shortage of money during the war—issued more than $1 during the war—issued more than $1 billion in paper money billion in paper money

Worth less than 2 cents by end of the warWorth less than 2 cents by end of the war

Civil War Battles

• South named battles after town or settlement• Battle of

Manassas• North named

battles after nearest water• Battle of Bull

Run

Civil War Battles• First Bull Run (US) or First Manassas (CS), Virginia (July

1861)• First battle of the Civil War, July 1861• “On to Richmond”

• Believed it would be a short war • US Gen. Irvin McDowell vs. CS Gen. Joseph Johnston• US troops initially winning• CS counterattack led by Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson sends US

fleeing back to Washington, DC• Ended the illusion of a short war

• Peninsula Campaign (March 1862)• Gen. George McClellan replaced Gen. McDowell• Pressured to make a move invaded Virginia• Stopped by Gen. Robert E. Lee & was ordered back after 5 mos.• Replaced by Gen. John Pope

Battle of Mill Springs

• Mill Springs, Kentucky, January 19, 1862

• US Gen. George Thomas vs. CS Gen. George Crittenden• Confederates defeated

& forced out of Kentucky

• CS General Felix Zollicoffer killed

• Enabled US to carry war into Tennessee

Civil War Battles

• Ft. Henry & Ft. Donelson, Kentucky, February 1862• US Gen. U.S.

Grant captured both forts

• “Unconditional Surrender” Grant

Civil War Battles

• Monitor vs. Merrimac (March 1862)• Clash of

the Ironclads

• Shiloh, Tennessee (April 6-7, 1862)• US Gen. Grant vs. CS Gen. Albert Sidney

Johnston & Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard• Gen. Johnston mortally wounded

• US victory after reinforcements arrived under Gen. Buell

• US casualties 13,000, CS casualties 11,000

• Second Manassas or Second Bull Run, VA, (August 1862)• CS Gen. Lee vs. US Gen. Pope• CS victory

• Antietam, Maryland (September 22, 1862)• Lee’s first advance into northern territory

• Hoped a victory in the North would gain recognition & support from Britain

• US Gen. McClellan was once again in command• Knew CS plans b/c a CS gen. had dropped them

• Single bloodiest day in American military history• Over 22,000 killed or wounded

• US claims victory after CS army retreats to VA• McClellan replaced by Lincoln for not pursuing Lee

—”bad case of the slows”• Replaced by Gen. Ambrose Burnside

• Lincoln uses victory to issue Emancipation Proclamation

Battle of FredericksburgDecember 1862• US Gen. Burnside vs. CS

Gen. Lee• Burnside recklessly

attacks entrenched CS army

• 12,000 US casualties vs. 5,000 CS casualties

• Robert E. Lee: "It is well that war is so terrible, or we should grow too fond of it."

Perryville, KY (October 8, 1862)

• CS Gen. Braxton Bragg vs. US Gen. Don Carlos Buell

• CS offensive into Kentucky

• US victory

Foreign AffairsForeign Affairs• CS needed foreign support • Counting on Britain & France’s

dependence on “King Cotton”• British aristocracy wanted American

democracy to fail• Why Cotton Diplomacy failed

– Europe found other sources of cotton• Wool & linen also used as alternatives

– CS defeat at Antietam – Emancipation Proclamation

Trent AffairTrent Affair• CS diplomats James Mason & John Slidell

on a mission to Britain aboard British steamer the Trent

• US warship stopped the Trent, removed Mason & Trent, & brought them to the US as POWs

• Britain demanded their release & threatened war

• Lincoln acquiesced • They went to Britain; their mission failed

Confederate raidersConfederate raiders

• CS purchased warships CS purchased warships from Britainfrom Britain

• CS commerce-raiders CS commerce-raiders effective against US effective against US merchant shipsmerchant ships

• CSS CSS Alabama Alabama captured captured 60 ships before being 60 ships before being sunksunk

• Britain paid the US Britain paid the US $15.5 million after the $15.5 million after the war for damages caused war for damages caused

SlaverySlavery

SlaverySlavery Lincoln was reluctant to free slaves Lincoln was reluctant to free slaves

during the warduring the war– Keep support of border statesKeep support of border states– Constitutional protections of slaveryConstitutional protections of slavery– Prejudices of northernersPrejudices of northerners– Fear that premature action could be Fear that premature action could be

overturned in the next electionoverturned in the next election

Confiscation ActsConfiscation Acts May 1861, US Gen. Benjamin Butler May 1861, US Gen. Benjamin Butler

refused to return slaves to southerners refused to return slaves to southerners calling them “contraband of war”calling them “contraband of war”

Confiscation Act, 1861Confiscation Act, 1861– Used legal basis of the power to seize enemy Used legal basis of the power to seize enemy

property used to wage war against the USproperty used to wage war against the US– Thousands of “contrabands” fled to Union Thousands of “contrabands” fled to Union

campscamps Second Confiscation Act, July 1862Second Confiscation Act, July 1862

– Freed slaves of persons engaged in rebellion Freed slaves of persons engaged in rebellion against the USagainst the US

– Empowered the president to use freed slaves in Empowered the president to use freed slaves in the Union army in any capacitythe Union army in any capacity

Emancipation ProclamationEmancipation Proclamation After Antietam, Lincoln warned that slaves After Antietam, Lincoln warned that slaves

in all states still in rebellion on 1/1/1863 in all states still in rebellion on 1/1/1863 would be “then, thencefoward, and forever would be “then, thencefoward, and forever free.”free.”

Justified by calling it a military necessityJustified by calling it a military necessity It listed each state in rebellion & stated: It listed each state in rebellion & stated:

– ……I do order & declare that all persons held as I do order & declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated states are, & slaves within said designated states are, & henceforward shall be, free; & that the Executive henceforward shall be, free; & that the Executive Government of the US, including the military & Government of the US, including the military & naval authorities thereof, shall recognize & naval authorities thereof, shall recognize & maintain the freedom of said persons.maintain the freedom of said persons.

ConsequencesConsequences No slaves were immediately freedNo slaves were immediately freed

– Only applied to states out of Union controlOnly applied to states out of Union control Slavery continued in border statesSlavery continued in border states Committed US gov’t. to a policy of abolitionCommitted US gov’t. to a policy of abolition Enlarged purpose of the war Enlarged purpose of the war

– Fighting slavery as well as secession & rebellionFighting slavery as well as secession & rebellion Added weight to the Confiscation acts Added weight to the Confiscation acts

– Number of slaves fleeing to Union lines increasedNumber of slaves fleeing to Union lines increased Authorized the recruitment of freed slaves as Authorized the recruitment of freed slaves as

Union soldiersUnion soldiers

1313thth Amendment Amendment This amendment to the Constitution was This amendment to the Constitution was

needed to free slaves in the border needed to free slaves in the border states due to phrases in the Constitution states due to phrases in the Constitution that seemed to legitimize slaverythat seemed to legitimize slavery

Ratified in December 1865Ratified in December 1865 ““Neither slavery nor involuntary Neither slavery nor involuntary

servitude, except as a punishment for servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exit within the U.S., duly convicted, shall exit within the U.S., or any place subject to their or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”jurisdiction.”

FreedmenFreedmen After the After the

Emancipation Emancipation Proclamation about Proclamation about one quarter of slave one quarter of slave population walked population walked away & sought the away & sought the protection of the protection of the Union armyUnion army

Almost 200,000 Almost 200,000 served in the Union served in the Union army & navyarmy & navy

Segregated into all Segregated into all black unitsblack units

– 5454thth Massachusetts Massachusetts ““Glory”Glory”

Chancellorsville, VA (April 1863)

• CS Gen. Lee vs. US Gen. Joseph Hooker

• Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson mortally wounded by his own men

• CS victory• Lee’s greatest

victory

Turning Point of the war

• Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (July 1-3, 1863)• CS Gen. Lee vs. US Gen. George Meade• Lee’s second invasion of the North

• Hoped to force the North to call for peace or obtain foreign intervention

• Largest battle of the Civil War• Casualties: 23,000 Union, 28,000 Confederate

• Last offensive for the CS army• US victory

• Vicksburg, Mississippi (July 4, 1863)• US Gen. Grant laid siege • US victory, Union gains control of the Mississippi

River

Gen. Ulysses S. Grant• Lincoln moved

Grant West in 1864• Given command of

entire Union army• Grant’s plan was to

outlast Lee in a war of attrition

Sherman’s March• US Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman

• Led 100,000 men from Chattanooga, TN across GA & up into SC leaving a path of destruction

• Destroyed everything in their path—cotton fields, barns, houses, etc.

• Total war− Wanted to break the will of the people

• Captured Atlanta in Sept. ’64 in time to help Lincoln get reelected

Sherman’s March

• Presented Lincoln with Savannah, GA 12/25/64

• Set fire to Columbia, SC in Feb 1865

• “War is hell”

Election of 1864Election of 1864 Democrats nominated Democrats nominated Gen. George McClellanGen. George McClellan

Platform: peacePlatform: peace

Unionist party (Republicans) Unionist party (Republicans) nominated Lincoln with loyal Democrat nominated Lincoln with loyal Democrat

Sen. Andrew Johnson as running mateSen. Andrew Johnson as running mate Party changed name to attract “War Party changed name to attract “War

Democrats”Democrats” Lincoln won electoral votes 212/21Lincoln won electoral votes 212/21

McClellan did get 45% of popular voteMcClellan did get 45% of popular vote

End of the war• Spring 1865

• Effects of Union blockade & Sherman’s march were taking their toll

• Grant continued to outflank Lee• April 3, 1865 Richmond, VA fell • CS tried to negotiate for peace

• Lincoln wanted restoration of Union & Davis wanted independence

Appomattox Court House, VAAppomattox Court House, VA

Lee Lee surrendered to surrendered to Grant Grant

April 9, 1865April 9, 1865 Grant gave Grant gave

Lee generous Lee generous surrender surrender termsterms

Lincoln’s AssassinationLincoln’s Assassination

April 14, 1865 Lincoln April 14, 1865 Lincoln assassinated by John assassinated by John Wilkes BoothWilkes Booth Lincoln was at Ford’s Lincoln was at Ford’s

Theatre watching “My Theatre watching “My American Cousin”American Cousin”

A coconspirator A coconspirator attacked Sec. of State attacked Sec. of State William SewardWilliam Seward

The North was The North was outragedoutraged

Effects of the WarEffects of the War

PoliticsPolitics

Republicans had majorities in both houses Republicans had majorities in both houses but were dividedbut were divided Moderates (Free-Soilers)Moderates (Free-Soilers) Radicals—who wanted immediate abolitionRadicals—who wanted immediate abolition

Most Democrats supported the war but Most Democrats supported the war but criticized Lincoln’s conduct of itcriticized Lincoln’s conduct of it Peace Democrats (Copperheads) opposed the Peace Democrats (Copperheads) opposed the

war & wanted peacewar & wanted peace Congressman Clement Vallandigham, Ohio, briefly Congressman Clement Vallandigham, Ohio, briefly

banished for his pro-Confederate speechesbanished for his pro-Confederate speeches

Civil LibertiesCivil Liberties Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas

corpus in Maryland & other states corpus in Maryland & other states where pro-Confederate sentiment was where pro-Confederate sentiment was highhigh People could be arrested without being People could be arrested without being

charged with a crime indefinitelycharged with a crime indefinitely About 13,000 people were arrested on About 13,000 people were arrested on

suspicion of aiding the enemysuspicion of aiding the enemy Democrats called Lincoln a tyrantDemocrats called Lincoln a tyrant Ex Parte Milligan Ex Parte Milligan (1866) Supreme Court (1866) Supreme Court

ruled the government had acted improperly ruled the government had acted improperly in trying civilians in military courts in trying civilians in military courts

ConscriptionConscription

US Conscription Act (March 1863) all US Conscription Act (March 1863) all men between 20 & 45 liable for men between 20 & 45 liable for military service but could find a military service but could find a substitute or pay a $300 exemption feesubstitute or pay a $300 exemption fee Strong opposition from poor laborersStrong opposition from poor laborers July 1863 draft riots in New York City July 1863 draft riots in New York City

Led mostly by Irish Americans against blacks Led mostly by Irish Americans against blacks & wealthy whites& wealthy whites

Federal troops had to restore orderFederal troops had to restore order Both North & South had to use the Both North & South had to use the

draftdraft

New York Draft RiotsNew York Draft Riots

Financing the war Financing the war

NorthNorth Borrowed $2.6 billion through the sale Borrowed $2.6 billion through the sale

of bondsof bonds Raised tariffs (Morrill Tariff Act, 1861)Raised tariffs (Morrill Tariff Act, 1861) Excise taxesExcise taxes First income taxFirst income tax Issued over $430 million in paper Issued over $430 million in paper

currency (greenbacks)currency (greenbacks) Caused inflation—prices rose about 80%Caused inflation—prices rose about 80%

Republican legislationRepublican legislation Morrill Tariff Act (1861) raised tariff rates Morrill Tariff Act (1861) raised tariff rates

to raise revenue & protect US businessesto raise revenue & protect US businesses Homestead Act (1862) promoted Homestead Act (1862) promoted

settlement of the Plains; offered 160 acres settlement of the Plains; offered 160 acres of land free to anyone who would farm it of land free to anyone who would farm it for 5 yearsfor 5 years

Morrill Land Grant Act (1862) encouraged Morrill Land Grant Act (1862) encouraged states to use the sale of federal land grants states to use the sale of federal land grants to maintain agricultural & technical to maintain agricultural & technical collegescolleges

National Banking System (1863)—to National Banking System (1863)—to manage revenuemanage revenue

Effects on womenEffects on women

Field of nursing Field of nursing was opened up to was opened up to women for the first women for the first timetime Clara Barton (right)Clara Barton (right)

Responsibilities Responsibilities taken on by women taken on by women during the war during the war gave impetus to the gave impetus to the suffrage movementsuffrage movement

4 million slaves 4 million slaves freedfreed

620,000 people 620,000 people died died

$15 billion in $15 billion in war costs & war costs & property lossesproperty losses

Devastated the Devastated the economy of the economy of the SouthSouth

Transformed Transformed the US into a the US into a modern modern industrial industrial societysociety