War Erupts!The Civil War

Chapter 16

First Shots at Fort Sumter!

*Southern states began seceding from the Union!!

*State officials took over most federal forts inside their borders.

*One was Fort Sumter in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina.

*It was running low on supplies.

*Lincoln knew that supplying the fort might lead to war, but if he withdrew troops, rebels would take it.

*Lincoln decided to send supplies!

*Confederate leaders responded by attacking the fort on April 12th, 1861.

*Lincoln called on Northerners to put down the rebellion.

*Southern states reacted angrily and seceded from the Union!

*The Confederacy was happy to have Virginia: large and wealthy state. Also home to Robert E. Lee, a talented/respected military leader. *Confederacy’s capital: Richmond, VA

Confederate General Robert E. Lee

Choosing Sides: Strengths and Weaknesses:

*Border states: Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri were slave states that bordered the North.

*B/c of their resources and location, these states could tip the scales toward one side of the war!

*All four states stayed in the Union. *In all – 24 states made up the Union.*11 states joined the Confederacy.

Union Advantages: (North)

*More than twice as many citizens than the South.

*More than 80 percent of the nation’s factories were located in the North.

*President Lincoln was a very able leader.

Confederate Advantages: (South)

*Great generals, including Robert E. Lee.

*Dedicated soldiers ready to defend their homes and families.

Confederate Strategy: *Didn’t want to conquer the North!

Only wanted to be independent!*Hoped to win foreign support by

using cotton*South grew most of the cotton for

Europe’s textile mills. *Southern planters withheld cotton

from the market hoping to force France and Britain to their aid.

*France and Britain had a surplus of cotton and did not help the Confederacy and Europe had NO involvement in the war!

Union Strategy: *Goal: Bring Southern states

back into Union.*Anaconda Plan!! North would

squeeze the Southern economy like a giant anaconda snake smothering its prey.

Anaconda Plan

*Plan: naval blockade of the South’s coastline to prevent the transportation of goods or people into or out of an area.

*Also gain control of Miss. river to split the Confederacy in two.

Battle of Bull Run: *Summer 1861: Lincoln ordered

invasion of Virginia*Goal: conquer Richmond (capital).*Battle happened next to river called

Bull Run.*Confederacy won! Thrilled South!

Shocked North!*North realized it had underestimated

its opponent*Lincoln began to prepare for a long

war.

Life in the Army Ch. 16, Section 2

Who Fought

Who Fought*In all, about 3 million Americans

fought. -Roughly 2 million served the

Union.-Just under 1 million served the

Confederacy.*Majority of soldiers between the

ages of 18 and 30.*Majority born in the U.S.

*Immigrants from other countries served both sides.

*Native Americans also served both sides.

*As conflict wore on, North allowed African Americans to serve.

Why Did They Enlist?*Many were volunteers.*Enlisted for a variety of reasons:-sought adventure and glory-escape a life of boredom-fought for loyalty-the recruitment money*Hours of drills and exercises each

day, dug trenches, cut firewood, and cleaned camp.

*Union soldiers: blue uniforms*Confederate soldiers: gray

uniforms*Rations included: beef or salt

pork, flour, vegetables, and coffee.

*Battlefield: more limited. Some soldiers went hungry b/c supply trains could not reach them.

Hardships of Army Life*Fields: wet, muddy, and cold. *Camps: unclean due to piled up

garbage and outdoor toilets. *Soldiers filthy going weeks

without bathing or washing their clothes.

*Became overrun with fleas and lice.

*Hygiene: conditions and practices that promote health was poor during the war.

*Widespread sickness! Diseases killed more soldiers during the Civil War than battle wounds.

Changes in Military Technology:

*Military technology advances led to higher death rates for both sides.

1. Development of the rifle - gun with a grooved barrel causing a bullet to spin giving it more distance and accuracy.

2. Minie Ball – bullet with a hollow base – expands upon firing to fit the grooves of the barrel.

3. Ironclad – warship covered with iron. These ships could withstand attack better than wooden ships.

Union Ironclad: Monitor fought the Confederate ironclad: Merrimack. (no clear winner)