Introduction to the Civil War

1861-1865

The regimental colors of the 19th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment were damaged in battle during

the American Civil War.

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The Civil War

Who was involved? #1 The Confederate States of America

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The Civil War

Who was involved? #2 The Union (Free States & Territories)

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The Civil War

Who was involved? #3 The Border States

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The Civil War

Why were the Border States so important?

• Important geographically

Why were the Border States so unusual?

• Slave states that stayed with the Union

“I hope to have God on my side but I have to have Kentucky” -- Abraham Lincoln

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The Civil War

How did they fight? Total War - organization of all the resources (people and products) of a country towards the war effort

• The resources of enemy civilians are fair targets in total war (ex. Farms, food, etc)

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Thinking Question:

(Don’t write! Just think!)

Are governments ever justified in targeting civilians (non-soldiers) in wartime?

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Advantages and Disadvantages:

North

• Population: 22 million

• 4 million men of combat age

South

• Population: 9 million

• 1.2 million men of fighting age

• 3.5 million slaves

North has the advantage in population

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Advantages and Disadvantages:

North

• Economy:100,000 Factories

• 70,000 miles of Railroad

• $190,000 in bank deposits

South

• Economy: 20,000 factories

• 9,000 miles of Railroad

• $50,000 in bank deposits

North has the advantage in industrial power

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Advantages and Disadvantages:

North

• Armed Forces:mostly drafted soldiers with overly cautious officers

• More soldiers

• African Americans - 10% of Union forces

• Strong navy

South

• Armed Forces: better trained soldiers & better leadership

• No real navy

North has the advantage in # of soldiers, but South in the quality of

soldiers & generals

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Advantages and Disadvantages:

North

• Government - Strong well-established government

South

Government - Weak government, most power given to states

North has a stronger government, better able to direct resources (people & products)

towards the war

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Advantages and Disadvantages:

North

• Motivation: Preserve the union

• Later - free the slaves

South

• Motivation: Preserve way of life

Who has the advantage in motivation? You decide.

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Goals:

North

Anaconda Plan

1. Blockade the South

2. Divide - Split the Confederacy by gianing control of the Mississippi River

3. Conquer - remaining parts

South

1. Defend existing territory

2. Gain recognition of Confederacy as independent nation

Whose goals would be easier to reach?

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Leaders:

Abraham Lincoln:

“A House divided against itself cannot stand” -- A. Lincoln

• Little political experience (served 1 term in the House of Representatives)• Strong reputation for honesty, temperance, jokes and storytelling

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Leaders:

Jefferson Davies:

“All we ask is to be left alone” -- J. Davies

• West Point graduate, Colonel in Mexican-American war, Secretary of war, & Senator from Miss.

Who has the advantage in leadership?

• Not a popular president, especially with big fans of state’s rights

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Northern Commanders

George McClellan

A. E. Burnside

Joseph Hooker

George G. Meade

Irwin McDowell

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Northern Commanders

Ulysses S. Grant

-- “When in doubt, fight” U.S. Grant

• Son of an Ohio tailor & drunken failure until the Civil War

• Reputation for boldness, resourcefulness, &persistance

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Southern Commander

Robert E. Lee

“It is a good thing war is so terrible; else we should grow too fond of it” -- R.E. Lee

Who has the advantage in Commanders?

• Offered command of Union armies

• Brilliant southern gentleman from one of country’s oldest families

• Family plantation occupied early in the war and turned into Arlington National Cemetary

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Thinking Questions:

(Don’t write: Just think!)

Is it more important to have strong generals or strong civilian leadership in a war?

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So how did it begin?

Fort Sumter:Where?

• Fort Sumter lies in the harbor of Charleston, S.C.

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So how did it begin?

Fort Sumter:Why?

• When Lincoln enters office, fort is running out of food

What? • Lincoln can either defend the fort

and risk war or abandon it and look weak in the eyes of the South

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So how did it begin?

Fort Sumter:So..

. • Lincoln sends unarmed vessel with food, giving the governor of S.C. plenty of warning

• S.C. attacks anyway and Lincoln asks for Northern volunteers

• This attack on the Union probably helps him keep many of the border states