People of the Civil War The Essentials

Abraham Lincoln President of the United States during the Civil War Mostly self-educated (18 months of formal education) Sought to end the spread of slavery, though did not support equal rights among the races Signed the Emancipation Proclamation (effective Jan 1, 1863), freeing all slaves Assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in 1865

Jefferson Davis Only President of the Confederate States of America Graduated from West Point, fought in Mexican-American War, US Secretary of War, Senator from Mississippi Considered a far worse leader than Lincoln, too controlling and out of touch Captured in May 1865 and charged with treason (though never tried). Not allowed to run for public office ever again.

Robert E. Lee General of Confederate Army and “hero of the south” West Point Graduate- 2 nd in class Previously served US military, rejected offer to lead Union troops after his home state of Virginia seceded Surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, VA in April 1865 Still praised as an icon of military leadership and strategy

Ulysses S. Grant General of Union Army in Civil War West Point graduate, fought in Mexican-American War Accepted surrender of General Lee Elected President in 1868 Irony: Grant owned slaves at one point, but as President claimed many civil rights victories, including the election of African Americans to Congress

Harriet Tubman Leading Abolitionist, “Conductor” of the Underground Railroad Escaped slavery and led 19 missions to bring over 300 slaves to freedom in Canada Rewards for her capture reached $40,000 but praised as a hero among abolitionists Served as a nurse for the Union forces Known as “Moses” by those associated with the Underground Railroad

Harriet Beecher Stowe Wrote anti-slavery book “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” Book based on abolitionist literature and her personal observations in Kentucky Praised in the north and led to greater abolitionist movement Criticized heavily in the south- declared biased propaganda that unfairly portrayed slavery

John Brown Led raid at Harper’s Ferry, 1859 Although he was white, settled in a black community in New York Believed he was chosen by God to end slavery Captured during raid, tried for murder, slave insurrection and treason Sentenced to death by hanging

Frederick Douglass Important abolitionist and anti-slavery orator Born into slavery, bought and sold several times Taught to read and write by the wife of one of his owners Successfully escaped slavery in 1848 after several attempts Helped recruit African- Americans to join Union army during the war

William T. Sherman Union general, led “Sherman’s March” through the south during Civil War West Point graduate Burned Atlanta, led devastating march to the sea, leaving a trail of destruction Credited with saying “war is hell”

Henry Clay Known as the “Great Compromiser”, responsible for Missouri Compromise, Compromise of 1850 Represented Kentucky in Senate and House of Representatives

Dred Scott A slave who lived for a short time with his owner in free states, and with the help of antislavery lawyers, Scott sued for his freedom. The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court - the Court decided that Scott had no right to sue because slaves were not citizens, and they said that slaves were property, and property rights are protected by the Constitution.

George McClellan Briefly served as General in Chief of the Union Army ( ). Lincoln disagreed with McClellan’s leadership style and removed him as General. In 1864, McClellan ran against Lincoln for President and lost.