Unit 17 The Crisis Takes Shape

Background: During the four year war, the South wanted to be independent while the North was trying to force them back into the Union. During the war many soldiers and civilians experienced suffering and hardships.

From the beginning the North did not succeed in the war efforts, the South did. However, as resources became less and less throughout the South, they began to weaken.

Lincoln asked for 75,000 volunteers to serve as soldiers for the Union army. In the North crowds cheered the Stars and Stripes and “southern traitors”. Equally the South was chanting the Stars and Bars (their new confederate flag design).

Lincoln had originally believed that the war would only last 90 days… he was wrong.

Strengths and Weaknesses on Both Sides Each side marched off to war for their “just cause” which means that both sides believed they were fighting for something that was their right. The South believed that they had a right to leave the Union. In fact some considered the war to be the war for Southern Independence.

This way they could keep their ways of life, including slavery. The North believed that they had to save the Union. Remember that abolishing slavery was not the original foal for the North.

Many Northerners were guided by racism and somewhat supported slavery.

Strengths and Weaknesses on Both Sides Both sides had to deal equally with resources being cut off and heavy losses. Why might a civil war be worse than a world war?

The South: Strengths Strong defensive war: The North would have to be on the offensive side and take the South The South believed that they were fighting for their independence like they did in the American Revolution.

Skill set: Many southerners were hunters Military school for young wealthy men US officers also lived in the South

The South: Weaknesses A serious economic weakness. It had very few factories to produce any sort of supply or weaponry. It also had very few railroads which made it harder to travel.

The Confederacy as well had issues within its government and how to handle the authority. Population!!!! 9 Million people

The North: Strengths Four times as many FREE citizens (approximately 22 million people). Because of such a high population many people could produce the foods and resources that were needed.

The overall industry of the North was its greatest resource. 70% of the nation’s railroad lines Lastly, trading ships which made it easier for them to get into the Confederate states.

The North: Weaknesses Instead of protecting a land that they knew, where their homes were, they had to travel to unforeseen land and try to conquer it.

Wartime Leaders Leadership was a major factor to the war as well from President Lincoln and Davis to military leaders who fought for both the Union and Confederacy, it was their job to find the war’s outcome.

President Jefferson Jefferson was believed to be a better military man than Lincoln because he had attendee a Military Academy. He was an officer in the Mexican American War. Jefferson did however has issues giving others military planning and ended up arguing with his advisors often.

President Lincoln Had very little experience in national politics or military matters. Lincoln however proved that he was a strong and patient leader and fine war leader/planner. Lincoln was very understanding and would take criticism with a smile. Very humorous

Military Leaders When the war first started the soldiers in the South had a choice to leave and fight for the Union or stay and fight with the Confederacy. Robert E. Lee was asked by Lincoln to command his army, however, Lee denied because he would not turn his back on his home state of Virginia. In general Lincoln had difficulties matching generals to those of the South.