Major Civil War Battles and Strategies

Battle of Fort Sumter April 12, 1861 Southern troops wanted to take over the Union Fort in the Charleston Harbor After several days of fighting, Union soldiers were allowed to leave and the Southern forces took it over

Many people visit the fort each year to see where the Civil War began Fort Sumter Today Many people visit the fort each year to see where the Civil War began

War Strategy of the North Blockade the Southern ports so they could not receive supplies Split the Confederacy in two at the Mississippi River Attack the Confederate capital of Richmond

War Strategy of the South Fight a defensive war (don’t attack until being attacked) Depend on trade with England to lend them supplies they needed Defend Richmond

Battle of Gettysburg This was General Robert E. Lee’s second attempt to invade the north This battle is known as the turning point of the was since so many southerners troops were wounded Over 100,000 died in 3 days The South was never able to invade the North again

Gettysburg Address Lincoln went to Gettysburg to dedicate part of the battlefield as a National Cemetery 4 months after the battle ended to honor the men who died there

Lincoln’s Famous Two Minute Gettysburg Address “. . . that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from earth.”

Emancipation Proclamation It freed the slaves only in states that have seceded from the Union. It did not free slaves in border states 1863 Emancipation = freedom

Surrender At Appomattox The war lasted 4 years Lee surrendered to Grant This was in Appomattox Court House, VA

Why Surrender? Lee’s troops were exhausted They had no supplies Their troops had dwindled dramatically by 4 years of fighting