17.1 Gearing Up For War Pgs. 334-339

Gearing Up for War The Firing on Fort Sumter in April 1861 ignited the Civil War. This destruction would last 4 years. Civilians also came to know the hardships of war.

Turning Men into Soldiers Thousands of young men joined the armies with patriotic ambitions. Life in the camps however, were far from perfect. 65% of time in camps; 30% marching; 5% fighting. Some soldiers never even fired a weapon.

Turning Men into Soldiers At the beginning of the war, both sides relied on volunteers. After a while, Lincoln and Confederate President Davis started the draft. On July 4, 1861 Lincoln pleaded for 500,000 volunteers to enlist in the next 3 years. The next year Congress called for the draft. All able bodied men (18-45) were drafted by states.

Turning Men into Soldiers Most states began offering a bounty for those who joined. In March 1863, Congress passed a law for drafting a national army. The North was having a hard time motivating people to join. The South was fighting for their core beliefs while the North was fighting to preserve the nation.

Turning Men into Soldiers All ”able body” men between the ages of 20-45 had to serve in the army. A draftee was able to hire a substitute or pay $300 ($5,730) for an exemption. Immigrants who had just entered the country often served as substitutes. How do you think this system worked? 2x Men bought substitutes and others fled.

Turning Men into Soldiers Irish immigrants felt this law was unfair. This led to riots in New York City. The Irish immigrants began picking on African Americans. They were upset that they were fighting to free African Americans, while some African Americans didn’t fight. Most of the 128 killed were African American.

Turning Men into Soldiers The South had more a of fighting spirit than the North. Why? Some of WestPoint's best students joined the Confederacy.

Turning Men into Soldiers When the war started, they had no problem getting people to fight for the cause. In fact they had more people than they could train. However, that enthusiasm was short lived.

Turning Men into Soldiers When the first year of their commitment was up, and there was no special benefits, the number of recruits declined. In April 1862, the South had no chance but to begin drafting all men ages 18- 35; later the age was moved to 50.

Turning Men into Soldiers However their were exceptions. ”Twenty-Negro Law” stated anyone who had 20 more more slaves didn’t have to join the military because they were needed on the plantation.

African-American Soldiers As early as 1861, Indiana African- Americans offered to serve for the Union. For those who were captured, slavery was imminent.

African-American Soldiers But it wasn’t until the Emancipation Proclamation was issued and the dire need of soldiers, that the African- Americans were allowed to join the army. African-American soldiers were not treated fairly Until 1864, they received lower wages than white soldiers.

African-American Soldiers They also had worse healthcare; 37% worse death rate. The Union was unsure how they would lead, so no African- Americans were allowed to be officers. In the south, slaves served in not combative positions such as: cooks, wagon drivers, and servants.

African-American Soldiers However, by 1865 there was a shortage in manpower. The Confederates passed a bill to draft 300,000 slaves. The Confederates were astounded with the skill that they had. The war on the southern front ended before they could fight.

Civilian Preparations (North) The North had begun to widen their Industrial base before the war began. The north drew its workers from women (who were new to the work force) and a pool of 800,000 immigrants who came to America between 1861-1865. All weapons, food, and uniforms came from Northern factories.

Civilian Preparations (North) Industrialism had a positive effect on farming. Even with thousands of men leaving their farms to fight in the war; farm production did not decline. In addition to feeding the soldiers, the North began a massive trade with Europe. 40% of England’s wheat came from the North.

Civilian Preparations (North) The war also made private volunteer groups stronger. These commissions helped purchase medicine, Bibles, and sent money for shelter, clothes, and food for slaves who had escaped the South.

Civilian Preparations (South) The southerners believed they would win the war quickly, so life at first didn’t’ really change. Early wins at Fort Sumter and Bull Run reinforced this notion. However, as the war drug out, issues began to arise. Union Navy Blockade Natural Medicine

Civilian Preparations (South) Confederate President Davis waged a crusade to get farmers to make corn. The longer the war lasted, the weaker the Confederacy would become. By 1864, bacon had soared to 20$ per pound. ($303.70)

Civilian Preparations (South) To flight inflation, the south used Taxes in Kind, which required producers to send 1/10 of their product to the Confederacy. Poor transportation systems hurt the south.

Military Methods The Civil War was the first modern war. Use of railroads. Telegraph Rifle guns and new cannons were used. (accuracy) War in the air. Military Methods

Military Methods Monitor vs. Merrimac brought the war to the sea. Photography brought the war to life. Images of soldiers were taken for families. (Matthew Brady) Military Methods

Strategies Southern Strategies Union Strategy Break the blockade. Protect D.C. Gain recognition from Britain and France. Cut off cotton shipments to Britain so that it would recognize its dependence on the South. Take Richmond Fight a defensive battle. Take control of the Mississippi River. Impose Naval Blockade.

17.1 Section Quiz