The Civil War or The War Between the States 1860-1865

Essential Questions Why was the purpose of the Civil War? What advantages and disadvantages did each side possess What impact will the war have on our country

Areas of Focus Advantages and Disadvantages of each Side Strategy of each Side Instruments of War Weapons Battle Tactics Medicine Key Personalities Key Battles First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas Junction) Gettysburg Vicksburg Major Political Events Emancipation Proclamation Gettysburg Address Surrender

Strong support that the white population or “home front gave to the war – highly motivated to fight because they had a strong sense of being wronged- (Fighting for their Freedom) Engaged in defensive warfare – less costly in terms of men and material Fighting in familiar territory - defending their land, homes, and their way of life Military leadership was superior to the North’s from the beginning, which provided an important tactical advantage Wealth – from the value of its exports (especially cotton)

Union Advantages: Controlled most of the nation’s money making it easier to finance the Northern war effort Larger population More industry- factories were available to produce wartime material More abundant resources - weapons, uniforms, food, etc. More farm acreage – access to more food Controlled both the merchant marine and U.S. Navy Controlled 70% of the nation’s railroads making it easier move troops and support items

Confederate Disadvantages: Agricultural economy, but produced half as much food as the North Smaller population of free men to draw upon in building an army Few factories to manufacture weapons and other supplies Had less than half the miles of railroad tracks and vastly fewer trains than the North - had great difficulty delivering food, weapons, and other supplies to its troops Had no organized government at first Its belief in states’ rights hampered its efforts because the 11 individual states refused to give the Confederate government sufficient power to wage the war effectively.

Union Disadvantages: Bringing the Southern states back into the Union was going to be difficult - it would require the North to invade and hold the South The Southern people’s support for the war was strong - they believed they could defeat the North Union had a much smaller pool of experienced military officers Most of the soldiers were from cities There was limited support for the war effort as the war continued and some groups actively resisted the draft.

The Union’s Strategy for the War: Their goal was to bring the Southern states back into the Union (ending slavery was not a major Northern goal at the beginning) Strategy: Anaconda Plan (1) to blockade or close Southern ports (2) gain control of the Mississippi River (3) capture Richmond, Virginia the Confederate capital

The Confederacy’s Strategy for the War : Primary goal was to win recognition as an independent nation - to allow them to preserve their traditional way of life, including slavery The South developed a defensive strategy: (1) Defend its homeland and hold onto its territory (2) Gain the support of Britain and France (3) Wear down the North until they would give up

Weapons of the War Weapons of the American Revolution Improved weapons increased “Fire Power” the rate at which you could fire with increased accuracy Weapons of the American Revolution

Tactics Weapons might have improved but they still used outdated tactics. They still fought in open fields with mass attacks

Improved Weapons and Outdated tactics = huge casualties CASUALTIES OF THE CIVIL WAR   Total Troops 1,566,678 1,082,119 Wounded 275,175 194,000 Died of Wounds 110,070 94,000 Died of Disease 249,458 164,000 Total Deaths 359,528 258,000 617,528 WWI – 116,516 WWII - 405,399

Medical Care during the Civil War The huge slaughter that resulted from these frontal attacks, combined with a relatively few number of poorly equipped surgeons led to fairly dismal prospects for any soldier unlucky enough to be shot or otherwise injured in battle.  Those with serious injuries in the torso would simply die.  For those who were shot in an extremity, the options were few, in fact, really one: amputation. During major engagements the flood of wounded became simply overwhelming.  The surgeon could afford to spend precious few minutes with each of the injured.  This led to amputation being the treatment of choice for injuries to an appendage. Chloroform was used during the Civil War, when it was available.

Key players in the Civil War

Key Battles First Battle of Bull Run Gettysburg Vicksburg

First Battle of Bull Run Why is important The result of the battle shocked the nation because the war that was supposed to be over in a day ended up in an embarrassing defeat for the Union army. The North knew now that it was going to be a long war. ODD FACT: Wives of some of the top generals come along, while wealthy men and women bring picnic baskets and blankets to sit on top of a hill and watch the fight

Gettysburg Why is important The battle is the turning point in the war. The south could not recover from the loss. They never went on the offensive again. The North gained confidence and momentum. The war continues but becomes just a waiting game of when the south will surrender.

Vicksburg Why it is Important The capture of Vicksburg, Mississippi, was vital to the north to allow them regain control over the Mississippi River and split the Confederacy in half. Ulysses S Grant’s campaign to take the city lasted eight months The siege was so brutal that for the next 81 years the citizens of Vicksburg would refuse to celebrate Independence Day on July 4th

Total War Sherman’s March to the sea.  His forces destroyed military targets as well as industry, infrastructure, and civilian property and disrupted the South's economy and its transportation networks.

Major Political Events The Emancipation Proclamation The Gettysburg Address

Emancipation Proclamation It freed the slaves only in states that have seceded from the Union. It did not free slaves in border states. It prevented Great Britain and France from siding with the south

Gettysburg Address The address delivered at the dedication of the cemetery at Gettysburg, November 19, 1863

The Surrender April 3, 1865 - Grant took Richmond Va. - final blow to Lee's army Lee surrenders on April 9, 1865 at APPOMATTOX COURTHOUSE All Confederate troops forced to take an oath of loyalty to U.S. otherwise, terms of surrender were lenient Lincoln did not want a humiliated South and further conflict Issue of states' rights now "solved"- federal government had asserted its status