Civil War Notes

Unit 6– Identify political and military turning points of the Civil War and assess their significance to the outcome of the Civil War. 1.Which 4 slaveholding states remained loyal to the Union? Why? What were they called? Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, Delaware Slave-holding interests were minority in state legislatures “Border States” 2. Which Union State did not exist at the beginning of the Civil War? West Virginia – had few slaves; did not want to fight for slavery; letter to Lincoln asking to become separate state; Congress approved Seceded from VA when VA seceded from Union 3. At the outset of the war, what advantages did the Union Army possess? Population, Army, Navy, Political leadership, Transportation system, Industrial resources, economic diversity 4. What advantages did the Confederacy possess? Military Leadership – Robert E. Lee, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson Military skill – hunters, outdoorsmen, southern military schools Motivation – fighting for defend home, honor, and lifestyle (slavery) “Homefield Advantage”

5. Under what circumstances would it be possible for the Confederacy to win the war? Get alliance with Britain and/or France (depended on southern cotton for manufacturing) Quick war before shortages of personnel and resources took effect 6. What was the Confederate strategy to win the war? Fight defensive war; Hold out long enough to get support of European countries (Britain & France) Hit-and-run, guerilla tactics; preserve men and resources 7. Under what circumstances would it be possible for the Union to win the war? Quick war – huge advantages overwhelm Confederacy; quick victories would kill spirit of Confederates Long War – Confederacy would eventually run out of soldiers and supplies 8. What was the Union strategy to win the war? “Anaconda Plan” – suffocate the Confederacy Blockade Southern ports the prevent European trade Cut South in half to divide and conquer; cut off supply lines Capture Southern Capital city, Richmond 9. Which battle destroyed Northerners hopes that the war would end quickly? Bull Run I in Manassas, VA

Battle of Bull Run I – July 21, 1861 Eastern Theater First major battle of the Civil War in which the outnumbered Confederates shockingly defeated the Union Army. This made it clear the war would NOT end quickly and that the Union was in for an unexpected struggle. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson

Unit 6– Identify political and military turning points of the Civil War and assess their significance to the outcome of the Civil War. “My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and it is not to either save or destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save the Union by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could save the Union by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that.” - President Abraham Lincoln

How did the Emancipation Proclamation change the outcome of the war? “I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within [all states currently in rebellion against the Union] are, and henceforward shall be, free; and that the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, shall recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.” President Lincoln – “Emancipation Proclamation”

EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION

President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, as the nation approached its third year of bloody civil war. The proclamation declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free."

Consequences of the Emancipation Proclamation Did not immediately free a single slave (applied only to Confederate territories) Slavery in border states was allowed to continue (kept Border States on Union side by not alienating slave owners) Endorsed policy of abolition; made the war about slavery Union soldiers now fought against slavery, not just secession and rebellion; motivated Union soldiers to fight harder Encouraged fugitive slaves to join Union troops in fighting against Confederacy (180,000 African American Union soldiers) Ended chance of France or Britain entering war on side of the South Laid foundation for 13th Amendment (“henceforward”) which eventually freed slaves in Border States as well as reconstructed Southern states.

1. Which battle destroyed Northerners hopes that the war would end quickly? Bull Run I 2. Which side in the war had the advantage during the early stages of the war? The Confederacy 3. Which battle prompted President Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation? Why?Emancipation Proclamation Antietam 1 st major victory for Union after long string of losses Wanted to change “cause” of war; and keep Britain from joining South 4. Which battle was the turning point of the war in the East? Gettysburg Lee lost over half of his army and those left were losing the will to fight 5. Which battle was the turning point of the war in the West? Vicksburg Helped the Union complete the Anaconda Plan by taking last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River 6.What was the bloodiest single day in U.S. history? Antietam, MD – 25,000 casualties 7.What was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War? Gettysburg, PA – 50,000 in 3 days 8.Where did the Civil War end? Appomattox Court House, VA (McLean House)

Surrender at Appomattox Court House