Civil War: Antietam and Emancipation

The War So Far Union has lost every major battle in the east

The War So Far Lincoln’s goal/purpose of the war was to save the Union. But Abolitionists and Republicans were pressuring Lincoln to make freeing the slaves a goal of the war as well.

The War So Far Lincoln needed a victory before he could add freeing slaves as a goal. –wanted to show that his government was strong and could support freeing slaves –didn’t want it to appear that he was asking slaves to rebel against their masters.

Battle of Antietam A.K.A- Battle of Sharpsburg

Battle of Antietam Lee felt confident to invade the North –Pressure Lincoln into peace negotiations

Battle of Antietam Lee took his army into Maryland and split them up. Union troops found Lee’s plans at an abandoned Confederate camp. McClellan was hesitant to act. –Missed the chance to attack the separated Confederate army.

Battle of Antietam Confederate troops joined back together and met Union troops along Antietam Creek. September 17, 1862

Battle of Antietam Battle raged all day Union lost 12,000 Confederates lost 13,000

Battle of Antietam Bloodiest single day battle in American history

Battle of Antietam Confederates retreat back to Virginia- Union victory. –Confederates' northward advance was stopped. McClellan did not finish Lee’s weakened army. –McClellan was permanently fired by Lincoln.

Emancipation Proclamation Lincoln now had the victory he needed to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.

Emancipation Proclamation Problem: Constitution did not prohibit slavery. Individual states could outlaw slavery, but not the U.S. Government.

Emancipation Proclamation Lincoln thought of how he could make freeing the slaves a military action.

Emancipation Proclamation Lincoln would think of the slaves how the southerners thought of the slaves- as PROPERTY

Emancipation Proclamation Property captured from an enemy during war (called contraband) belongs to the army that captured it and its government.

Emancipation Proclamation Issued Sept. 22, 1862

Emancipation Proclamation An executive order that freed the slaves in areas rebelling against the Union *Slaves in border states were not freed

Emancipation Proclamation Went into effect Jan. 1, 1863

Emancipation Proclamation Freed few slaves because there was no power to enforce in the South.

Emancipation Proclamation

Confederates’ hopes of getting allies are dashed- Great Britain and France won’t help the south keep their slaves

African Americans Fight Lincoln opened up military service to African Americans in the Emancipation Proclamation

African Americans Fight African Americans joined the United States military in large numbers