Key events in the Civil War

Essential Question: How did key battles and events influence the outcome of the civil war? Standard: SS8H6b. State the importance of key events of the Civil War; include Antietam, the Emancipation Proclamation, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, the Union blockade of Georgia’s coast, Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign, Sherman’s March to the Sea, and Andersonville.

By 1861, most southern states had seceded from the Union and the Confederate States of America (CSA) was formed.

In this lesson you will learn about some of the important events that occurred during the Civil War and the direct effect the war had on Georgia.

For this lesson, you will receive a graphic organizer to record the important information from the lesson. Class time will be spent examining each event during the Civil War.

Major Leaders in the War Maj. General George B. McClellan = Union States General Robert E. Lee = Confederate States

The Battle of Antietam The Battle of Antietam- Video- 3 min Animated map of the Battle of Antietam- Very cool

The Battle of Antietam Took place in Maryland as it was the first attempt by General Lee to attack the Union on Northern land. (General Robert E. Lee = Confederate General) (Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan = Union General) In the one day battle, there was over 23,000 casualties combined from the Union and Confederate Armies. The North was afraid that General Lee had 100,000 troops ready to fight. This was before technology! In reality he only had between 38,000-45,000 troops Abraham Lincoln used this to pass the Emancipation Proclamation

Think, Pair, Share Based on your notes and the video, identify a significant effect of the Battle of Antietam. Although the Battle of Antietam can be considered a “draw” with no clear winner, Lee chose to withdraw. Abraham Lincoln saw this as the victory he needed to release the Emancipation Proclamation.

The Emancipation Proclamation What does emancipation mean?

Emancipation: The act of freeing

The Emancipation Proclamation An executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln (1862), declaring an end to slavery in those states that seceded from the Union. It actually said that all slaves in the rebellious states would be freed on January 1, 1863. At this point, ONLY slaves in the Confederate states would be freed. This did not apply to slave states that stayed in the Union

Emancipation The U.S. Constitution did not prohibit slavery. Individual states could outlaw slavery, but not the U.S. Government.

Read paragraph two of the Emancipation Proclamation excerpt How did Lincoln resolve the conflict of the U.S. government not having the right to outlaw slavery?

Emancipation Proclamation- Exerpt That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom. And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free to abstain from all violence, unless in necessary self-defence; and I recommend to them that, in all cases when allowed, they labor faithfully for reasonable wages. And I further declare and make known, that such persons of suitable condition, will be received into the armed service of the United States to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service.

Emancipation Slaves were considered to be property. Property captured (called contraband) during war belongs to the army that captured it and its government. Lincoln therefore stated in his Emancipation Proclamation that any property (slaves) captured by U.S. military forces would be freed. Most Europeans did not like slavery. Therefore, now that the war was about freeing the slaves, they decided not to get involved with either the Union or the Confederacy.

United States Colored Troops In the Emancipation Proclamation Lincoln addressed the enlistment of African Americans in the United States armed forces. Image courtesy Library of Congress

The War Department decided that African American soldiers would be placed in all African American units commanded by white officers.

United States Colored Troops African Americans joined the United States military in large numbers. Which led to a larger army, one of the deciding factors in the United States defeating the Confederacy.

African Americans were now directly involved in their own emancipation.

The Emancipation Proclamation http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/emancipation-proclamation

Think, Pair, Share What might have happened if the Confederates (South) defeated the Union (North) in the Battle of Antietam?

Key Points to Remember: The “bloodiest” day in American history was the Battle of Antietam, Maryland. The Union “victory” at Antietam allowed President Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. Great Britain and France remained neutral and did not enter the war on the side of the Confederacy. The Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in the Confederate States (Eventually all states would free their slaves) With African Americans joining the armed forces, the United States had a greater advantage over the Confederate States because of its number of soldiers and sailors.

Battle of Gettysburg http://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/battle-of-gettysburg

Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address The Gettysburg Address with words Gettysburg was the deadliest battle of the Civil War and it demoralized (discouraged) the South. After the battle, Lincoln traveled to Gettysburg for the dedication of a military cemetery. There he gave what is considered one of the most important speeches in American History, The Gettysburg Address. Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address The Gettysburg Address with words

Battle of Chickamauga Battle of Chickamauga Animated Map [show the first segment and the last two segments to summarize the events]

Battle of Chickamauga Georgia was virtually untouched until the Battle of Chickamauga. It lasted three days (Sept 18-20, 1863) and was the second bloodiest battle of the entire war (34,000 soldiers killed) Chickamauga was the largest battle ever fought in Georgia (just 10 miles south of the Tennessee border) The Union goal was to capture Chattanooga, TN, and important rail center, and then use that as a stepping stone to capture a more important rail road hub, Atlanta.

Union Blockade of Georgia’s Coast The Union Blockade is often referred to as the “Anaconda Plan”. What does that mean and why?

Union Blockade of Georgia’s Coast The Union forces knew that the Confederacy financed the war by trading their cotton and crops to Europe. The North decided to use their superior navy to blockade the South from sending and receiving supplies vital to the war effort. This blockade made it difficult for the Confederacy to successfully fight in the war

Union Blockade of Georgia’s Coast Blockade Runners in the American Civil War [5:28]

Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign General Sherman Captures Atlanta [2:08]

Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign Why was the capture of Atlanta critical?

The capture of Atlanta was critical not only due to Atlanta’s industrial role for the South, but also because it gave the North a victory to celebrate and assured Lincoln’s re-election.

Sherman’s March to the Sea Blood and Glory: The Civil War in Color: Sherman’s March to Savannah [2:08] Marching Through Georgia Song Sherman’s March to the Sea Georgia Stories Video

Sherman’s March to the Sea

Andersonville Confederate Prison Camp

Andersonville Confederate Prisoner of War Camp that originally could only hold 10,000 but at one point housed 30,000 Union POW’s. Due to Union Blockade, the prison  was not properly supplied and up to 13,000 men died there. The main water source was a small creek that quickly became contaminated by the number of POW’s there.

Andersonville https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg0lpjQi9cI

Events During the Civil War Summarizer