The Tide Turned for the North
Battle of Atlanta (Atlanta, GA) Date: November 15, 1864 Significance: Start of the Union’s policy of Total War (defeat the military and devastate the South’s civilian population)
Sherman’s March to the Sea Date: November 15 to December 21, 1864 Significance: Destroyed the South’s strategic and economic capacity to fight Success helped Lincoln win reelection (along with victories in the West)
Burning of Richmond
Surrender at the Appomattox Court House Date: April 9, 1865 Significance: General Robert E. Lee formally surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant Official end to the American Civil War
President Abraham Lincoln’s Assassination Date: April 14, 1865 Significance: Confederate soldier John Wilkes Booth shot President Lincoln at Ford’s theater Vice President Andrew Johnson became the 17th U.S. President
Deadliest war in U.S. History Human Costs Deadliest war in U.S. History
Economic Costs $8 billion war Nationwide Inflation The South was destroyed physically and financially