The Civil War

War Begins

I. Americas Choose Sides

A. It Begins

1. Attempts to Stop the Wara.In his inaugural

address Lincoln promised not to end slavery or to attack the South first

b.He also stated that the Union must be preserved

2. Fort Sumtera. Fort Sumter was located in South Carolina and

controlled the entrance to Charlestown harborb.Confederates demanded the Fort be surrenderedc. Instead Lincoln sent supplies, which were blockedd.April 12, 1861 Confederates opened fire – 34 hours

later the fort was surrendered

B. Reaction to Lincoln’s Call

1.Lincoln declared the South to be in rebellion

2.He asked states for 75,000 volunteers to put down the rebellion

3. Border States were deeply divided. They were slave states located between the Union and Confederacy that stayed loyal to the Union.

C. Northern Resources

1.Population - 22 million

2.Network of roads, canals, and railroads

3.More developed economy

4. Anaconda Plan – Strategy developed by Winfield Scott a. Destroy Southern economy through a naval blockadeb. Gain control of the Mississippi river to divide the South

D. Southern Resources1.Had a strong military tradition2.Farms to provide food3.Brilliant officers4.Territory in South formed a natural defense5.It only had to defend itself until the North

got tired of fighting6.They hoped to wear the Union down a

capture Washington DC7.They also tried to win allies with cotton

diplomacy

II. Preparing for War

A. Volunteer Armies

1.At the start of the was the Union only had 16,000 soldiers within months it was up to 500,000

2.Southern men rose up to defend their land and way of life

B. Helping the Troops1.Civilians on both sides

helped by raising money, providing aid, and running hospitals

2.Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman to become a doctor and helped to form the U.S. Sanitary Commission

C. Training the Soldiers1.Both sides had

shortages of clothing, food, standard uniforms, and rifles

2.Most of the volunteers had no idea how to fight

3.Discipline became the key issue