American Civil War Review

7/29/2019 American Civil War Review

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The American Civil War

Jan 2011 C. Corning


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Civil War

S Definition

S What other Civil Wars have you studied? Common

Characteristics?


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Characteristics of a Civil WarS

An organized military action 1,000 battle deaths/yearand 5% of deaths inflicted by the weaker party.

S At least two factions within a single country/nation-state

one of which is the national government which are

divided over religious, ideological, political, economicand/or social issues.

S The war occurs in the country in which the opposing

factions originate and the primary leadership of each

faction is from that country.


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Why Study the

American Civil War?S The Civil War remains the deadliest and most destructive

of all Americas wars.

S The first modern war on the continent (and maybe the

world).

S Only conflict in U.S. history fought entirely on the nations

soil.

S Strengthened the power of the Federal Government.

S Forever destroyed the institution of slavery in the U.S.


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Causes of the

American Civil WarS Economic and social differences between the North

and the South.

S States versus federal rights.

S The fight between Slave and Non-Slave State

Proponents.

S Growth of the Abolition Movement.

S The election of Abraham Lincoln.


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CausesS Economic and social differences between the North

and the South:

S The southern economy became a one crop economy,

depending on cotton and therefore on slavery.

S On the other hand, the northern economy was basedmore on industry than agriculture. In fact, the northern

industries were purchasing the raw cotton and turning it

into finished goods.

S This disparity between the two set up a major differencein economic attitudes.


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CausesS States versus federal rights.

S Many States Rights proponents felt that the U.S. Constitution

ignored the rights of states to continue to act independently.

S They felt that the states should still have the right to decide if

they were willing to accept certain federal acts. This resulted inthe idea ofnullification, whereby the states would have the right

to rule federal acts unconstitutional.

S The federal government denied states this right. However,

proponents such as John C. Calhoun fought vehemently for

nullification. When nullification would not work and states feltthat they were no longer respected, they moved

towards secession.
http://americanhistory.about.com/library/glossary/bldef-nullification.htmhttp://americanhistory.about.com/library/glossary/bldef-secession.htmhttp://americanhistory.about.com/library/glossary/bldef-secession.htmhttp://americanhistory.about.com/library/glossary/bldef-nullification.htm


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CausesS The fight between Slave and Non-Slave State Proponents.

S Missouri Compromise passed in 1820 made a rule that prohibited

slavery in states from the former Louisiana Purchase the latitude 36

degrees 30 minutes north except in Missouri.

S Wilmot Provision in 1846 which would ban slavery in the new lands.

However, this was shot down to much debate.

S The Compromise of 1850 was created by Henry Clay and others to

deal with the balance between slave and free states, northern and

southern interests. Many of these states were formed in territory won

in the Mexican-American War (1846 1848).

S Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. It created two new territories that would

allow the states to use popular sovereignty to determine whether they

would be free or slave.


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CausesS Growth of the Abolition Movement.

S Increasingly, the northerners became more polarized

against slavery. Sympathies began to grow for

abolitionists and against slavery and slaveholders.

S Major events included:

S the publication of Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom'sCabin,

S The Dred Scott Case

S John Brown's Raid

S Passage of the Fugitive Slave Act that held individualsresponsible for harboring fugitive slaves even if they were

located in non-slave states.


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CausesS The election of Abraham Lincoln

S When Lincoln was elected in 1860, South Carolina issued

its "Declaration of the Causes of Secession." They

believed that Lincoln was anti-slavery and in favor of

Northern States interests.

S Before Lincoln was even president, seven states had

seceded from the Union: South Carolina, Mississippi,

Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas.


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The Birth of the

Republican PartyS Question: Why do new political parties form?

S By the end of the 1850s the nations political landscape had

shifted. New concerns increase in immigration, Whig party

split over the issue of slavery and a weak Democratic party.

(Review pg 320)

S Nativism Know Nothing Party

S Free-Soil Party no more extension of slavery (however not a

party of abolitionism).

S Discontented Whigs formed the Republican party (sound

familiar? Ie the Tea Party?).


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Events Leading up to

SecessionS Slavery begins to dominate most political discussions

S Dred Scott Decision (1857)Roger Taneys Majority Opinion

Constitutional Rights Do Not Extend to Blacks

S He was the Chief Justice blacks cannot be citizens

S Lincoln-Douglas Debates 1858 Illinois Senate Race

S Douglas (D) supported popular sovereignty (believed that

slavery would die out)

S Lincoln (R) slavery was immoral, fear that it would spread to

new territories

S Harpers Ferry (VA) John Brown Oct 1859slave uprising


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Lincolns ElectionS 1860 Presidential Election three candidates: Lincoln

(R), Douglas (D) and Breckinridge (D)

S Lincoln won but with less than half of popular vote not a

strong mandate no electoral votes from the South

S The South felt that they had no voice in national politics

S South Carolina seceded from the Union on Dec 20, 1860,followed by Mississippi and Florida in Jan 1861

S Later Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas

S Feb 1861 delegates from these states met formed the

Confederate States of America (The Confederacy)

S Constitution similarbut protected and recognized slavery

S Jefferson Davis - President


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The BeginningS After the seven southern states seceded and formed the

Confederacy, soldiers began to take over federal buildings intheir states government buildings and military installations.

S Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor Confederates demanded

surrender, Lincoln only sent food, Confederates attack April 12,

1861.

S Lincoln responded by calling for 75,000 troopsS April 17th Virginia seceded (unwilling to fight against other southern

states) and brought ironworks and factories to the Confederate

side.

S By May Arkansas, Tennessee and North Carolina secede

S Western counties of Virginia secede from VA and become West

Virginia (1863 statehood special exception)

S Four remaining slave states: Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky and

Missouri remain in the Union.


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Military HistoryS Northern and Southern Resources page 339 unevenly

matched (although it could be argued at the beginning of

the war that the South had better military leadership!)

S Strategy: both sides thought it would be a quick war

S Union pursued what became known as the Anaconda Plan

three prong strategy:

S Navy Blockade Southern ports

S Union riverboats and armies move down Mississippi Rv why?

S Union armies capture the Confederate capital Richmond, VA

S Confederacy mainly defensive strategy


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Battles

S How to read a military history mapthe key is crucial!S Pages 340, 358, 361, 363,

S First Battle of Bull Run July 21, 1861 about 25 miles south

of Union capital and 100 miles north of the Confederate

capital.S Lasted most of the day, Union winning in the morning but the

Confederate rallying in the afternoon, led by Stonewall Jackson

S Lincoln responded to the Union lost by calling up 1 million men

for a three year enlistment and appointed George McClellan as

commander of Union Army (aka Army of the Potomac).


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Battle for the SeasS March 1862, the ironclads theMonitor(Union) and the

Merrimack(Confederate) fought a duel at sea.S Ironclad ships could splinter wooden ships, withstand cannon fire

and resist burning.

S The Merrimackattached three Union ships, the Monitorrespondedthe attack and in the end the battle was a draw.

S The Confederate submarine CSS Hunley(named for one of itsfinanciers, Horace Lawson Hunley) was intended for attacking the

North's ships, which were blockading the South's seaports. The sub

was extremely hazardous to operate, and had no air supply other than

what was contained inside the main compartment. February 17, 1864,it sank the USS Housatonicoff Charleston Harbor.
http://localhost/wiki/Horace_Lawson_Hunleyhttp://localhost/wiki/USS_Housatonic_(1861)http://localhost/wiki/USS_Housatonic_(1861)http://localhost/wiki/USS_Housatonic_(1861)http://localhost/wiki/USS_Housatonic_(1861)http://localhost/wiki/USS_Housatonic_(1861)http://localhost/wiki/Horace_Lawson_Hunley


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The Politics of WarS At the beginning of the war, the Southern states expected Britain

to support them why?

S However Britain pursues a policy of neutrality India and wheat.

S The abolition movement pressured Lincoln to resolve the

question of slavery

S Although Lincoln did not agree with slavery, he felt that the federal

govt did not have the power to abolish it where it already existed.

S My object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to

save or destroy Slavery.

S Just as Union soldiers could confiscate Confederate supplies, Lincoln

also authorized the army to emancipate slaves.S Since England support abolitionism, this was also a diplomatic move.

S gg


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P bl A i t d ith Ci il


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Problems Associated with Civil

WarsS How to Find Soldiers for Your Army?

S Volunteers initially usually a good number but usually

not enough to staff a full military fighting force

S Conscription the draft that forces certain members of

the population to serve in the Army

S Union men 20 45 years old passed in 1863; however

92% of Union forces were volunteer

S Draft riots in New York immigrants not our war

S Breakdown of social stablility

S Confederate men 18 35 years old (later 17 50) passedin 1862, rich mans war but poor mans fight - ??


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Other Wartime IssuesS African-American Soldiers

S Slave Resistance in the Confederacy

S Inflation and Shortages in the South

S Northern Economic Growth

S Health and Sanitation issues disease, Dorothea Dix, Clara

Barton (trained nurses)

S Prisoners of War Andersonville, prisoner exchange,

treatment of Black Union soldiers


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Battle of Antietam

S Articles Thesis:

S Impact of the Battle on the rest of the war:

S Legacy of the Civil War:


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Battles of Gettysburg and

VicksburgS Battle of Gettysburg (Penn.) July 1863 three day battle.Lee, Jackson, A.P. Hill, James Longstreet and Jeb Stuart vs.

George Meade and David Gregg (map pg 361)

S Result: Both sides suffer massive casualties (close to 30%), Lee

forced to retreat south (never to penetrate North again)S Nov 1863Lincolns Gettysburg AddressFour score and

seven years (page 361)

S Vicksburg Campaign (Miss) April to July 1863 Grant set

up a seige, by July the Confederate commander surrenderedand the Confederacy was cut in two.


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Beginning of the EndS Grant occupies Lee in Virginia while Sherman focused on

Georgia, the last strong hold of the Confederacy (pg 363)S Grant was willing to suffer high casualties in order to force Lee

into surrenderThe Butcher

S Shermans March Fall of 1864he abandons his supply

line and marches his army through Georgia, living off the landand creating a wide path of destruction culminating in the

burning of Atlanta in November.

S Then the Army turned north to help Grant, 25,000 former slaves

following, greater destruction in South Carolina

S 1864 Presidential election pg 364


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Johnstons PlanS The remaining Confederate states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia,

Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas) could be

readmitted to the Union if:

S Each state withdrew its secession

S Swear allegiance to the Union

S Annul Confederate war debts

S Ratify the 13th AmendmentS Johnson wanted to prevent high-ranking Confederates and wealthy

Southern landowners from taking the oath for voting privileges.

S Radicals Republicans were upset because Johnson failed to

address the needs of former slaves: land, voting rights andprotection under the law. But the white Southerners were

relieved.


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Reconstruction TermsS 15th Amendment

S Public Works Program

S Scalawags

S Carpetbaggers

S Black migration to southern cities

S Segregation

S 40 Acres and Mule

S Restoration of Plantation System, Sharecropping and Tenant

Farming


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The Pendulum Swings the Other Way

S The Republicans suffer a serious of political scandals which

eventually divide the Republican party

S The Panic of 1873 what was the effect on the Republican party?

S Supreme Court began to undo some of the more radical social and

political changes made by the Radical Republicans.

S Northern voters began to grow weary of the problems in the South

and of the Reconstruction process

S Redemption Process (1869 1875) Democrats regaining control ofSouthern state governments. Federal Troops removedhome rule


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Documents

American Civil War Review