THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR 1861-1865
QUICKWRITE – 3 MINUTES Write everything you generally know about the Civil War: Who fought in it? Who won? When did they fight? Who led the fighting? Why did they fight? Where did they fight? How did they fight? Where was Texas in this fight?
Basic Facts about the Civil War From 1861 to 1865, more than 600,000 Americans were killed in the Civil War. More men died in this war than all the other wars we have fought combined! The Civil War is known by several other names: The War between the States The North vs. the South The Blues vs. the Grays The Billy Yanks vs. the Johnny Rebs The Union vs. the Confederacy
The Civil War Misconceptions Clarifications Texas had no involvement in the Civil War. Slavery was the only issue that caused the Civil War. The Union fought to end slavery. The Union was anti-racist. The Civil War affected only soldiers. Free African Americans only fought for the Union. Texas was involved in the Civil War on the Confederate side. States’ rights, taxes, sectionalism, election of Lincoln, and abolitionism also caused the Civil War. The Union fought to preserve the Union (or country being together). The Union still had discrimination laws and constant race riots. Citizens on the home front were also affected by the Civil War. The Confederacy approved arming black soldiers in March 1865, although little saw action.
CAUSE #1: 1860 Election of Abraham Lincoln as U.S. President Southern States felt they were bullied by the North when he was elected
1860 Election Results
States’ Rights regarding taxation, tariffs, and slavery Cause #2 States’ Rights regarding taxation, tariffs, and slavery
Cause #3: Abolitionism Frederick Douglas was the editor of an abolitionist newspaper.
Harriet Tubman Conductor that helped slaves escape via the Underground Railroad.
John Brown He and his sons brutally murdered 5 slave masters in Kansas. (1858) Tried to incite a slave revolt…unsuccessful Executed by the government
Cause #4: Slavery
Compromise of 1850 – divided the nation on slave vs. free states
Uncle Tom’s Cabin 1852 Depicted the horrors and reality of slavery Sold 300,000 copies in the first year…2 mill sold in a decade! Popularized abolitionism
Harriet Beecher Stowe: Author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin 1811 - 1896 So this is the lady who started the Civil War. -- Abraham Lincoln
Cause #5: Sectionalism People started to take pride in their state, beliefs, and their section of the country
Sectionalism at its worst! Sumner was viciously caned by Brooks! Sen. Charles Sumner (R-MA, abolitionist) Congr. Preston Brooks (D-SC, defender of slavery)
The Caning of Charles Sumner
The war begins – Confederate army fires on Union-held Fort Sumter, SC on April 21, 1861…South wins…10 more southern states secede (withdraw) from the Union and form the Confederacy
Fort Sumter, SC: April 12, 1861
Also see map on p. 400-401