The North takes Charge

The Tide of War Turns 1863 went well for the South Lee led south to victories at Fredricksberg & Chancellorsville. Stonewall Jackson shot by own troops Dies later of pneumonia Lee decided to invade the North and press for a treaty to end war Jackson shot by own troops & Dies later

Gettysburg North controlled high ground at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Battle lasted 3 days 23,000 Union troops & 28,000 Confederate troops died in 3 days South gives up idea of invading North. Grant also wins at Vicksburg South could have withdrawn and gone North to attack Washington DC. Too prideful. North holding Little Round top. South tries to flank (get behind). Maine’s commander holds line, turning battle in daring move. Picketts Charge is southern attack up the middle. Entire brigade wiped out. “I have no brigade”. Lee took full responsibility for loss

Gettysburg Address November, 1863, Lincoln dedicated a cemetery at Gettysburg. Edward Everett was the key note speaker, talking for 2 hours Lincoln spoke for 2 minutes. People thought it lame speech SO WHAT: From “The United States are..” to “The United States is…” Who is Edward Everett? No one cares today Story of camera man trying to get photo, but thought that he had lots of time to set it up. When Lincoln’s speech was only 2 minutes, he missed his shot. Veterans of battle there, go off to sit under tree as politician talk, talk, talk

Confederacy Wears Down After Gettysburg, South is on defense Little food, supplies, ammunition Southern states bickering among themselves North wages “total war” William T. Sherman leads Northern troops through South.

Sherman’s March To The Sea He thought if you break the will of the people, the army will fall. Together with Grants, Sherman’s army leave path of destruction. Sherman marched to Atlantic Ocean, then North Georgia burned, but South Carolina gets worst. Sherman thought “I will make Southerners so sick of war that generations would pass away before they would again appeal to it” Thought that South Carolina should be punished hardest. “Here is where treason began, and, by God, here is where it shall end!” South Carolina gets harsher treatment for being first state to leave the Union. No home was left standing. North Carolina, the last to leave, treated nicer. Private homes spared and food passed out.

Surrender at Appomattox By Spring 1865 Confederacy near end April 9, 1865, Lee & Grant met at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia to talk surrender of South Grant paroled Southern prisoners, sent them home with possessions and rations. Officers could keep side arms. Lincolns staff wanted to punish Southerners. Lincoln said no, they are our Countrymen. When Grant heard that Lee was willing to surrender his troops tried to shout Hurray, but half heartedly. They then began to cry for all the dead on both sides. Meeting took place in Wilbur McClain's living room, the same guy who had moved away from Bull Run after the first battle there. Lee was dressed in his best Uniform. Grant was dirty and disheveled. Grants started by making small talk of how he knew Lee from the Mexican War. Lee didn’t remember him. Grant’s troops wanted to celebrate when they signed. Grant told them “no, these are our countrymen now”

Why did the North Win? North could afford to more losses than South. North had more people and materials South had little, loses hurt more Union Blockade worked Cut off supplies from elsewhere North Had Better Transportation South could not move supplies South unorganized Politically Idea of States Rights first made organizing a war difficult

War Changed the Nation So What? States no longer threaten succession. Political Changes Economic Changes States no longer threaten succession. Federal Government more powerful 13th Amendment ends slavery Northern economy strong after war. Southern economy in ruins South doesn’t catch up until 20th century Says “ neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except for punishment of crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States” Some weasels say the COMMUNITY SERVICE REQUIRMENTS are involuntary servitude, therefore, unconstitutional. Wrong! said Supreme Court.

Lincoln Assassinated April 14, 1865 Lincoln went to Ford Theater to see play. John Wilkes Booth, Southern actor, shot Lincoln in head. Lincoln died next day. Booth caught & killed 2 weeks later. Lincoln went to see play “Our American Cousins” . Almost backed out when friends couldn’t go but Wife Mary Todd wanted to see a comedy. Booth, whose dad was a famous actor, yell “Sic Semper Tyranus” “So die all tyrants” as he left from stage. Leg got caught on American flag, making him fall & break leg. Still got away. Was part of lager plot to kill others. Was Booth really killed in Barn fire 2 weeks later? Some conspiracy theorists wonder.

The Civil War is over. Now it is time to heal the nation and rebuild