The Civil War 1861 – 1865 South North

How did it come to this?

A War to Restore the Union?

Northern Strengths/Weaknesses Strong industry. Northern factories produced more than 90% of the nation’s manufactured goods. 70% of the nation’s rail lines. Strong navy. Almost 4 times as many free citizens as the South. Invading unfamiliar land. Supply lines were much longer and thus more open to attack.

Southern Strengths/Weaknesses Fighting a defensive war. A war for independence. Strong reason to fight. Southern soldiers were familiar with the terrain. Economic weakness. Few factories for producing weapons. Political problems. States’ rights vs. Federal government Small population in the South. 9 million citizens; 1/3 of the population is African American.

Antietam – September 17, 1862 The bloodiest one day battle in American history. Ended the Confederate army’s first invasion into the North. General George McClellan – Union General Robert E. Lee – Confederate Over 23,000 casualties. Opportunity for President Lincoln to issue the emancipation proclamation.

Emancipation Proclamation President Lincoln issued the preliminary in September, 1862, following the Union victory at Antietam. January 1, 1863, is the date of the official issuance. Freed most slaves in states not under Union control. Allowed black soldiers to fight for the Union armies. Made the war about slavery.

Fredericksburg – December, 1862 At the Rappahannock River in Virginia. General Ambrose E. Burnside, commanding the Union Army of the Potomac, planned to take the Confederate capital of Richmond. General Robert E. Lee, in command of the Confederate forces, created a blockade in the town of Fredericksburg. A significant loss for the Union army. Confederates lost 5,300 men; Union lost 12,600.

Vicksburg – Spring 1863 General Ulysses S. Grant – Union Lieutenant General John Pemberton – CS One of the most brilliant military campaigns of the war. Grant gained control of the Mississippi River, cutting the Confederacy in half.

Gettysburg – July 1, 2, 3, 1863 General George Meade – Union General Robert E. Lee – Confederate Union forces prevailed after 3 days of fighting. Lee’s second campaign to the North had failed. Casualties 23,000 US 28,000 CS

“Total War” Eliminate the support of the civilians, and the Confederate soldiers will run out of resources. An effort to cripple the local economy. Waging war on the population of the region; not just the soldiers fighting for that region.

Sherman’s March to the Sea Began in Atlanta in 1864. General Sherman and his troops burned towns, pillaged property, and destroyed railroads across the south. Sherman’s men covered 450 miles in50 days.

Appomattox Courthouse Final engagement of the war in Virginia. General Ulysses S. Grant – US General Robert E. Lee – CS Lee surrendered to Grant on April 9, 1865.