Civil war in a nutshell

The Road to Civil War

Missouri Compromise of 1820

Supposed to settle issue of slavery in new western territories

Compromise favored the Anti-Slave folks (Abolitionists)

It was not strictly followed

The Problem?California splits the 36º30’ line from the MO Compromise.

The Solution:1. CA enters as a Free State

2. NM has no restrictions on slavery (no duh, they are under the 36º30’ anyways)

3. Slave Trade (NOT slavery) is outlawed in DC

4. Congress will pass a more strict Fugitive Slave Law

So, what’s the next Conflict?

Let’s look at that Fugitive Slave Law

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850•It required ALL citizens to help catch runaway slaves

•The Act actually convinced more Northerners to oppose slavery

•Northern juries refused to convict those who broke the law

•But, the law did have influential supporters in the North like Franklin Pierce (President)

Next Hot Button Issue . . .KANSAS AND NEBRASKA

Let the People decide the slavery issue?

The Kansas-Nebraska Act

Enter Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois

Both KS and NE wanted in as states

Both states are above the 36º30’ line

Both states would therefore be free states

The Kansas-Nebraska ActDouglas had money tied up in the Railroad

He also wanted to be President in the near future

He figured he needed Southern support for that run

So, here is the idea Douglas comes up with

Throw out the Missouri Compromise

Let the people decide the issue of slavery for themselves (popular sovereignty)

The Kansas-Nebraska ActHe figures that the people

moving into these territories will not vote for slavery

But, he’s allowed the people to decide which the

South would support

And he has done away with the unpopular and

ineffective Missouri Compromise

Bleeding KansasIn 1855, KS elects a pro-slavery

legislature with the help of thousands of Border Ruffians, people who crossed the border just to vote

This government kept anti-slavery people out of office

and they had no voice

Then, the anti-slavery folks formed another government

and violence erupted

Bleeding Kansas

Unfortunately, Congress was split over the issue

and nothing was done to stop the violence

Finally, troops were sent in and order restored – sort of

John Brown and his family murdered 4 pro-slavery folks

in the night but, there was this on both sides

The Dred Scott Decision

Dred Scott was a slave who was taken with his family to free territory and then back

to the South

He took his case to the Supreme Court to argue that since he lived in “free”

territory, he should be a free man

The Supreme Court ruled against him.

Dred ScottThe Court, led by slaveholder Roger B. Taney, ruled against

Dred Scott for two reasons

First was that Dred Scott was not considered a citizen (since he was a slave) and therefore had no

standing in court (could not sue).

Second was that slaves were considered property and only their owner could grant freedom. The

govn’t can’t just take away your property

The Election of 1860

The Republicans (newly formed

and anti-slavery) nominated

Abraham Lincoln

Northern Democrats (popular sovereignty

decides slavery) nominated

Stephen Douglas

Pro-slavery Southern Democrats

nominated John C. Breckinridge

Constitutional Union Party (neutral on slavery) nominated John Bell

The Election of 1860

Abraham Lincoln won the election without carrying a single Southern state. He wasn’t even on the ballot for most of them! He did win all Northern states.

The writing was clearly on the wall for the South. They could not overcome

Northern (anti-slave) power.

Southern Reaction

On December 20, 1860, South Carolina

became the first state to secede from the

Union!

Lincoln and the Republicans promised not to disturb slavery, but many in the

South didn’t trust them.

Southern ReactionThe stage was set for the formation of the

Confederate States of America when in February of 1861, TX, LA, MS, AL, FL and GA joined SC.

Later that year, AR, TN, NC and VA made it 11 states to join the CSA.

The Confederate States of AmericaWhich Is the real flag of the CSA?

The Confederate States of AmericaWhich Is the real flag of the CSA?

First flag“Stars and Bars”

Second NationalFlag

Third NationalFlag

BattleFlag

Navy Jack “Rebel” Flag

The Confederate States of America

The CSA claimed it had the right to secede because of States Rights

The federal government, in their mind, had refused to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act and thus had given the CSA states the right to leave the Union.

On February 4, 1861, representatives met in

Montgomery, AL to form a new government and elected

Jefferson Davis as their President

The Civil War BeginsBack in Charleston, the new CSA threatened to bombard

Fort Sumter

South Carolina had given the commander of the fort

orders to leave the harbor just outside of Charleston

President Lincoln refused to recall his troops and SC troops bombarded the installation on April 12, 1861. The Federal fort was surrendered on the 14th and the

Civil War had begun.

The Civil War (1861-1865)

Who’s In and Who’s Out?

•The Border States of Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland and Delaware stayed with the Union (some more by force than choice)

•Because of this, Tennessee, Arkansas, Virginia and North Carolina all joined the Confederacy

•Lincoln issued a call for troops in response to Fort Sumter’s surrender


Missouri and Kentucky•Protected Union farmland to the North•They helped control the MS and OH Rivers

The Border StatesThe Border States were Slave Statesbut Lincoln needed them too much

Maryland•w/o it, DC would be surrounded by the CSADelaware•Protects the ports of Philadelphia


Here’s a tough question


Who had the advantage in the War?Who had the advantage in the War?

Union or Confederacy?Union or Confederacy?

Why?Why?

Union AdvantagesThe Union had larger populationMore troops means the Union can withstand more casualties and overcome poor military leadership

The Union had more industryThis means more weapons This means more weapons and ammunitionand ammunition

Abraham LincolnLike him or not, the Union Like him or not, the Union couldn’t have won couldn’t have won without his leadership.without his leadership.

Confederate Advantages

The CSA had a causeMuch like our Revolution, the Much like our Revolution, the people were fighting to be free people were fighting to be free from an oppressive governmentfrom an oppressive government

Military LeadershipThe South had more trained The South had more trained officers and more trained troops officers and more trained troops who had just finished fighting who had just finished fighting against Mexican troopsagainst Mexican troops

Plus, the CSA had “home field advantage”Plus, the CSA had “home field advantage”

#1 Blockade the Confederate CoastlineThis keeps the troop movement This keeps the troop movement slow and keeps the South from slow and keeps the South from exporting cottonexporting cotton


Union war plan – Anaconda Plan

#2 Control the Mississippi River

This cuts off the “West” This cuts off the “West” from the rest of the CSAfrom the rest of the CSA


Union war plan

It was a simple one-part planFight a “defensive” war. Make it difficult Fight a “defensive” war. Make it difficult enough for the Union to take them back, the enough for the Union to take them back, the Union would simply get tired of fighting and Union would simply get tired of fighting and recognize the CSA as a new nation.recognize the CSA as a new nation.


Confederate war plan

Besides, they didn’t have the troop Besides, they didn’t have the troop numbers to go on the “offensive.”numbers to go on the “offensive.”


Who were these two sides?

The Confederates were broken into two major Armies

The Army of Tennessee•This was the combination of the Armies of Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee•was headed by a few different Generals•Fought mostly in the Western Campaigns

The Army of Northern Virginia•Eventually was headed by Robert E. Lee•Fought mostly in the Eastern Campaigns


Who were these two sides?

The Union was broken into two major Armies as well

The Army of the Tennessee•Fought in the Western Theater•Most notably headed by Generals Grant and Sherman

The Army of the Potomac•Lincoln’s main Army•Fought mostly in the Eastern Campaigns•Headed by a bunch of men - finally Grant


Early Years (1861-1862)

Some Early Battles and their importanceDate Who Won? Battle Significance

July 1861 CSA

First Bull Runor Manassas

First major battle of Civil WarBoth sides disorganizedStonewall Jackson - Confederate heroCSA can’t capitalize on Union retreat

April 1862 Union Shiloh

General Grant emerges as leader in WestCSA wins 1st day, but reinforcements from Nashville help Union pull it outFrom here, the Union takes Corinth, MS and Memphis – starts control of MS River

April 1862 Union New Orleans

David Farragut – Union Naval heroUnion capture of city gives them total control of MS River and keeps the CSA from using it to ship goods


Early Years (1861-1862)

Some Early Battles and their importanceDate Who Won? Battle Significance

March

1862CSA Peninsular

Campaign

McClellan wastes too much time training and building his troopsRobert E. Lee takes command of CSA troops – Army of VirginiaUnion fails to capture Richmond

August

1862CSA 2nd Bull Run or

Manassas

Stonewall Jackson / Lee vs John PopeRichmond safe for nowCSA pushes to 20 miles from DC

Sept. 1862

Union Antietam (Maryland)

Lee goes on the offensive to try to get aid from England or France with a winMcClellan had actually found Lee’s plans, but was too cautious to act on themUnion wins (barely), but McClellan replaced

Death

Tolls

Death

Tolls

Top 5 Battles in Terms of Casualties

Date Death Toll Battle / Total

Sept. 17 1862

12,410 U13,724 C

Antietam26,134

May 8-191864

18,399 U 9,000 C

Spotsylvania27,399

May 1-4 1863

17,278 U 12,821 C

Chancellorsville30,099

Sept 19-20 1863

16,170 U 18,454 C

Chickamauga34,624

July 1-3 1863

23,049 U 28,063 C

Gettysburg51,112

Did You Know?Did You Know?

Dog Tags came

from the Civil War

Because the death toll was so high, soldiers printed their names and addresses on handkerchiefs or paper, which they pinned to their clothing before going into battle.

Civil War Firsts that you may not have known!

These things occurred for the first time during our Civil WarMachine gunSteel ShipsSubmarineSnorkel breathing deviceAnti-aircraft fireCigarette TaxCommissioned Army ChaplainsDepartment of Justice (CSA)Electronically exploded bombsFlame Throwers

Medal of HonorNaval TorpedoesBlack US Army Officer (Major M.R. Delaney)

Battle Battle PhotographyPhotographyRepeating RiflesRepeating Rifles““Taps”Taps”Income TaxIncome TaxUS Secret ServiceUS Secret ServiceAnesthesia for Anesthesia for surgerysurgery

NO, YOU DIDN’T KNOW THEM ALL!!!!

According toThe Civil War: Strange and Fascinating Facts

by Burke Davis

Lincoln and his

commanders

Irvin McDowellToo Inexperienced

George McClellanTOO SLOW Ambrose Burnside

Guess what we got from him?

Joe Hooker

Not your most upstanding figure

Lincoln and his commanders

George MeadeHe was the last realCommander of the

Army of the Potomac

And Finally in 1864And Finally in 1864Ulysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant

Commander of Federal TroopsCommander of Federal Troops

Abraham Lincoln The Great

Emancipator

Early Views on Slavery

Remember that Lincoln and most Republicans Remember that Lincoln and most Republicans were for a gradual end to slavery.were for a gradual end to slavery.

His main concern was with the Border His main concern was with the Border States who still owned slaves.States who still owned slaves.

As the war moved on, the North saw As the war moved on, the North saw slavery as helping the Confederate cause.slavery as helping the Confederate cause.


Emancipator

The Times They are a Changin’

There was growing pressure from Free There was growing pressure from Free Blacks and Abolitionists in the North.Blacks and Abolitionists in the North.

Lincoln also needs a way to keep England Lincoln also needs a way to keep England and France out of this war.and France out of this war.

He also wanted the President to make a He also wanted the President to make a stand on slavery, not the Congress.stand on slavery, not the Congress.


Emancipator

The Emancipation Proclamation

After victory at Antietam, Lincoln After victory at Antietam, Lincoln announced his intention to free the slaves announced his intention to free the slaves of the South. On January 1, 1863 he issued of the South. On January 1, 1863 he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, stating:the Emancipation Proclamation, stating:

“. . . all persons held as slaves within any state . . . in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.”

Emancipation ProclamationWhat did it do?

DID IT FREE THE SLAVES IN THE UNION?

NO! The Border States kept their slaves because they weren’t “in rebellion.”

DID IT FREE THE SLAVES IN THE SOUTH?

NOT REALLY Remember, the CSA isn’t listening to Lincoln because they are “in rebellion” DUH


DID IT GIVE BLACKS AND SLAVES HOPE?

YES, any slave who made it to Union controlled territory was set free and over 100,000 did just that.

Furthermore, there were about 200,000 African Americans who served in the Union Armies and Navies.

You may have seen this movie which is about the 54th Massachusetts A regiment that was All-Black (except the commanding officers)

Many of them were killed leading a failed Union raid of Fort Wagner outside of Charleston, SC in 1863.


Slaves wouldn’t get freedom until much laterIn the 13th Amendment, slavery was ended, but that was in 1865.

And yet, this may be Lincoln’s most brilliant maneuver in the Civil War?

YOU BET! England and France couldn’t sell support of the CSA to their own people who were also against slavery.

Without freeing a single slave, Abraham Lincoln had officially changed the Civil War into being about ending slavery.


Things are going good for the Confederates, or are they?

Fredericksburg (December 1862)The Confederates are outnumbered, but easily defeat Ambrose Burnside. He resigns after the loss.

Chancellorsville (May 1863)Now, Lee takes on Joseph Hooker. The CSA wins, but Stonewall Jackson is wounded by his own men and dies a week later. BIG LOSS

These help Lee feel he should invade the North – it may bring in Britain and France


The Blue Years (1863-1865)

Battles that begin the end and their importanceDate Who Won? Battle Significance

July1863

Union Gettysburg

This was the heaviest loss in lives of the Civil War (over 51,000)Known for Pickett’s Charge – a very costly military mistakeWith this loss, Lee would never be able to invade the North againBIG TURNING POINT IN THE WAR

May – July1863

Union VicksburgGrant lays siege on the town for a monthUnion victory gains control of the MS RiverCuts off TX & AR – The CSA Food Source

Nov1863

Union ChattanoogaBraxton Bragg (CSA) loses the important rail center, but plans to starve the Union forces out


The Blue Years (1863-1865)

Battles that begin the end and their importanceDate Who Won? Battle Significance

July – Sept1864

Union AtlantaStart point for Sherman’s March to the Sea (Savannah) – introducing the idea of Total War

Aug1864

Union Mobile Bay

David Farragut leads Union Navy into bay and finally gives Union total control of the Gulf of MexicoNews of this victory helps Lincoln win the 1864 election

1864-1865

Union PetersburgGrant attacks this important rail center near Richmond for monthsEventually forces retreat of Lee’s troops

April 9,

1865Union Appomattox

Court HouseLee surrenders to GrantOther CSA armies will surrender soon

Civil war in a nutshell

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