Transcript CHAPTER 16 – TORN BY WAR

Chapter 17 – The Civil War
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I. The Conflict Takes Shape
A Nation Divided
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When war started each side thought its
cause was just.
The South believed they had the right to
leave the Union. They called the war- the
War for Southern Independence.
The South wanted independence so it
could carry on its traditional way of life,
including the institution of slavery.
The North believed it had to fight to save
the Union. (At the start of the war
abolishing slavery was not a war goal.)
South: 11 states
North: 19 states
Border States: 5 states
The North
STRENGTHS:
Population- 4 times as many free
citizens as the South
Industry – manufactured goods
(90%)
Railroads (70%)
Strong Navy and large trading
fleet
WEAKNESSES:
Fighting an offensive war
Must conquer a huge area to
bring the South back into the
Union
Slow and indecisive generals at
first
The South
STRENGTHS:
Fighting a defensive war; knew the southern
countryside, which was heavily wooded.
Good soldiers; military traditions prevail in the
South
Excellent officers; many excelled at West
Point, the US Military Academy.
WEAKNESSES:
Few factories to produce weapons and
supplies
Few railroads to move troops and supplies
Political problems: Confederate constitution
called for states rights, which limited the
authority of the central government.
Small population:
9 million (South) vs. 22 million (North) and
almost 4 million are slaves in the South; thus
they didn’t have the manpower to support the
war effort.
Wartime Leaders
Jefferson Davis – President of the
Confederacy
Attended West Point
Served in the Mexican War
Sec’y War for President Pierce
He was respected for his
honesty and courage
He was not a good delegator
He argued too much w/ advisors
Robert E. Lee- originally chosen by
Lincoln to be commander of
Union forces. Lee couldn’t fight
against his beloved VA, so he
becomes leader of the
Confederate army
Wartime Leaders
Abraham Lincoln- President of
the USA
Little experience in national
politics and military matters
He was a well-respected
lawyer in Illinois
He served one term in the
U.S. House of
Representatives.
Patient, strong leader
Good war planner
Delegated tasks
Good sense of humor