Transcript File
The American Civil War: Union vs. Confederacy The Civil War Begins • South Carolina seceded from the Union claiming the US Government was abusing their power over states’ rights • They were followed by 11 other Southern states whose economy was rooted in slavery and cotton production • They created their own n mr k is bea ation- the Confederate States of America Fort Sumter • Federal (Union) troops were located at Fort Sumter on the Charleston battery • After SC split, Lincoln told SC he was sending in extra supplies to his soldiers at Fort Sumter • Angered, the SC militia launched an assault on the Fort • For 34 hours SC soldiers shot at and bombed Fort Sumter- April 12, 1861 the Civil War had begun • The federal Maj. Anderson surrendered • No one died- the only casualty was a horse Advantages for either side North/Union South/Confederacy 22 million- greater population Skilled Generals (Lee, Jackson) Manufacturing- factories to produce weapons and ammunition Fighting on the defensive (just like in the Revolution) Thousands of miles of railroads Large standing army Early thoughts: This will be an easy victory for the North! The war won’t last very long. The Anaconda Plan • Union Strategy • Developed by General Winfield Scott • Cut of the South’s economy by blocking rivers and ports • Get control of the Mississippi River! Border States Battle of ManassasFirst Battle of Bull Run • Manassas, Virginia • The first land battle of the Civil War • 35, 000 Union troops vs. 20,000 Confederate troops • The South claimed victory and it gave the southerners a spark of hope that they could win! • This wasn’t going to be the quick and easy war! The Civil War Soldier • Mostly volunteer at first • 18-30 years of age • Some children as young as 8 volunteered and some as old as 83! • Immigrants • Irish and Germans had their own regiments • African Americans • Neither side wanted them to fight at first • As the war continued, the North allowed black soldiers to enlist • 54th Massachusetts Regiment • Native Americans • Fought for both sides Why would you VOLUNTEER to join the army? - In search of glory - Escaping boredom of factory or farm life - My friends are doing it, so should I - Money! - Loyalty Children • Military • Drummer and Bugle boys: played music to signal training drills and commands • Soldiers • Powder boys: brought gun powder to troops • Took jobs to support families • Helped keep up the home • Battles were fought in their backyards • Fear of homes being invaded or burned down by the enemy Guns IroncladsRepeating rifles made it faster and Armored ships (with steel and iron more accurate to shoot your plates) enemy- mostly in the North BalloonsUsed to view enemy positions on the battlefield SubmarinesUsed in naval battles, launching underwater missles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TCMHV mNc5w CannonTelegraphOne solider cannon ball or several Fast communication between smaller. Used to destroy President and Generals fortifications RailroadsSwords, Knives, BayonetsUsed to send weapons, goods, and Used in hand-to-hand combat and soldiers quickly in cavalry attacks (on horseback) First 2 Years of War • Bull Run: Confederates win first major battle- it’s going to be a long fight • In the West: Union forces begin to capture the Mississippi River (Anaconda Plan) and capture New Orleans • Confederate Army goes on the offensive and starts pushing North • Antietam: bloodiest one day battle in the whole Civil War • Lee retreated to Virginia • McClellan should have finished him off but failed Slavery- it’s still an issue! • Lincoln’s main goal- HOLD THE UNION TOGETHER • Freeing slaves would anger the border states • Not freeing slaves angered Union States • Emancipation Proclamation • Freed slaves ONLY in rebellious states • Wait, WHAT?!?!?! • Yep- if the rebellious states had rejoined the Union they could keep slavery and the border states that had slaves were happy • It didn’t free many slaves, BUT it showed Lincoln and Congress were moving in that direction Behind every good man, is a great woman • With men gone to war, women were left to run the farms and businesses • They took over factory jobs • Many volunteered as nurses • Served to help aid soldiers by cleaning, cooking, and gathering supplies for soldiers • Spies- who would suspect a woman? Gettysburg- Battles and Address • Turning point of the war- Gettysburg, PA- July 1-3, 1863 • 90,000 Union troops vs 75,000 Confederate troops • Pickett’s Charge • General Lee ordered Pickett to charge the middle • BIG MISTAKE- the charge was mowed down • Lee lost 1/3 of his men • Again, the North failed to finish the Confederates off! • The North is gaining control of the war Final Blows to the South • Grant defeats the Confederates at Vicksburg, Mississippi • Now the North has complete control over the Mississippi River • Sherman’s March to the Sea • Total War • Destroyed any and everything in his pathfarms, homes, cities, roads, railroads • Burned down Atlanta and took Savannah (a major southern port) The war is over • Tired and defeated, Lee and the Confederates gave up • On April 9, 1865, Grant and Lee met at Appomattox Court House to sign terms of surrender • Because they were still Americans, Grant allowed all soldiers to return home safely • 620,000 Americans were dead • 535,000 Americans were wounded • War cost $2.7 Billion