Emancipation Proclamation The Union blockade was effecting not only the South but the countries of England and France as well. Because England and France depended on the raw materials from the Southern U.S. , the blockade was hurting their economies. The two were about to enter the war and fight with the South.

Emancipation Proclamation President Abraham Lincoln needed to do something to get England and France on his side or the U.S. was going to lose the war. Emancipate-to free Proclamation-official declaration On January 1st, 1863 Abraham Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation officially freeing all the slaves in the U.S. and former territories of the U.S.

Emancipation Proclamation The E.P. did two major things: Slavery was now illegal in the U.S. 2) England and France could not join the South or they would be supporting slavery, which had been outlawed for years in their countries.

Ulysses S. Grant Won the important battle of Vicksburg, which took control of the Mississippi River for the Union. In 1864 Lincoln puts Grant in charge of the U.S. Army Grant finally beats Lee over the next year, ending the war.

Robert E. Lee Often considered one of the greatest Generals in U.S. History. Because of him, the Confederacy nearly won the war, as he won battle after battle despite being outnumbered in troops and supplies.

Appomattox Court House (Copy all) The blockade, cutting off the Mississippi, and Grant’s victories finally wore the South down. After four years of fighting Lee surrendered to Grant on April 9, 1865 officially ending the Civil War.

Victory and Assassination The ugliest, bloodiest war ever fought in the U.S. finally came to an end with Lee’s surrender. The final numbers- Union: 360,000 killed another 275,200 wounded. Confederacy: 258,000 killed another 137,000 wounded.

Unfortunately, the Union victory was short lived Unfortunately, the Union victory was short lived. On April 14th, John Wilkes Booth snuck into Ford’s Theatre and assassinated President Lincoln. Lincoln died the next morning on April 15th, 1865 just six days after the war ended.

Working with nine other conspirators, Booth had planned on killing the Vice President, Secretary of State, other high presidential advisors, and Ulysses S. Grant. Booth was the only one who succeeded. He and the others were eventually rounded up and killed or hanged for their actions. His intent was to send the Union into chaos and to get revenge for Lincoln emancipating the slaves.

Lincoln’s Legacy Considered one of the best presidents of all time. Lincoln preserved the U.S. and ended slavery.