The Civil War

Lincoln’s Inauguration Barn storming train stops across the country – But had to actually sneak into Washington for the inauguration in the middle of the night under disguise. South Carolina was the first state to secede – By the time Lincoln too office 7 total states had already seceded from the union. – The weaker President at the time, James Buchanan, was indecisive and declared that no state had the right to secede, but the federal government had no authority to stop them. The new Confederate states immediately seized all federal property within their boundaries – But couldn’t control those ones that were off shore. – Ft. Sumter for example.

Lincoln’s Inauguration Lincoln immediately addressed the secession crisis in his inaugural address – 1. Lincoln declared that the union pre-dated the Constitution, therefore states were not allowed to leave. – 2. Any acts of force or violence to support secession would be viewed as insurrection. – 3. The Gov’t. would hold/occupy all federal property in seceded states. This was a clear reference to mounting trouble at Ft. Sumter

Ft. Sumter Forces still occupying the fort under Major Robert Anderson were running dangerously low on supplies. Rather than surrender the fort, Lincoln informed the S. Carolina gov’t. they would be sending supply ships to the troops. – No soldiers or reinforcements would be sent unless the ships were fired upon. Rather than appear cowardly and submit to Lincoln’s wishes, Confederates fired on the ships.

Ft. Sumter Cont. For 2 days Confederates under command of Gen. P.T. Beauregard bombarded the fort until eventually Anderson surrendered. Immediately Lincoln mobilized for war and four more states seceded the union. – Only four slave states would remain in the union Kentucky, Maryland, Delaware, and Missouri.

Process of Secession

Union Advantages The Union held nearly every material advantage you would need to win a war. – Population was twice as large (4 times larger than the non-slave population of the south) – Nearly all industrial sites were located in the North, so the Union could produce all of their own war materials – Union possessed twice as many miles of railroad, most of which were in better condition than Confederates.

Confederate Advantages Many of the Union advantages were countered by the Confederates initially. – The Union had to act as the occupying force, which meant they had to invade southern territory – They had longer supply lines that outreached their rail lines and left them invalid at times. – Southern people were united, by in large believing deeply in their cause, while northern support remained fractured until the very end. – Home field advantage: often knew the terrain better.

Union and Confederate Resources

Mobilizing the North for War Paying for the War – For the first time in history the government levied income taxes. They also taxed more goods and services. – Printing of Paper money for the first time. Wasn’t backed by gold or silver, rather the good standing and credit of the government. The value of “greenbacks” fluctuated with the success of the Union army during the war. – Largest portion of funding was through sale of bonds. Also offered the bonds to private citizens, not just banks and financial institutions.

Mobilizing the North cont. Raising an Army – Over 2 million men served in the Union Army throughout the course of the war. At the beginning of 1861 they only had 16,000 – After an initial rush of enthusiasm, enlistments quickly declined and the Union had difficulty raising the number of recruits required. By 1863 Congress was forced to pass a draft bill Men could escape service by hiring someone to go in their place, or pay the gov’t. $300. Ultimately, roughly 46,000 men were drafted to fight.

Draft Riots Many Americans were cautious to accept the draft in the first place. – Laborers, immigrants, and Democrats made up the bulk of draft opponents. New York City draft riots broke out for 4 days in July of – Irish immigrant laborers feared that freed blacks would eventually rival them for labor, and opposed the war altogether. Over 100 people died in the riots, they lynched black people, burned homes and businesses, even destroyed a black orphanage.

Lincoln’s Politics He called the troops into combat without ever formally asking Congress to declare war. – He believed this act would serve to formally recognize the Confederate gov’t. – He labeled the war a domestic insurrection. He increased the size of the standing army without formally receiving legislative power. Ordered the blockade of all southern ports without consent of any sort.

Lincoln’s Politics Cont. Perhaps most controversial, Lincoln ordered the military arrest of all dissenters and suspended habeas corpus (speedy trial). – At first he only used this in border states, but by war’s end 13,000 people were imprisoned for “insurrections”. – Even when Supreme Court Chief Justice Taney ordered him to release a Maryland secession leader, Lincoln simply refused.

Mobilizing the South for War The Confederate Constitution was nearly identical to the United States. – Except it specifically acknowledged state sovereignty, and allowed for slavery. – Jefferson Davis was selected as provisional president, serving a 6 year term. He, and his vice-president Alexander Stephens of Georgia, was a moderate secessionist, as were most members of the Confederate government. – No formal political parties, but much division regarding Confederate policies.

Confederate Army Funding an army – Had no real national revenue to begin with – Most southern wealth was tied to slaves and land – By in large, southern people were accustomed to low taxes, and resisted any increases. – Only real money was seized from U.S. mints and accumulated roughly $1 million

Funding the Army Cont. Attempts to raise taxes helped little, individual states rarely did so. Many states rarely paid their required share The government tried to borrow from Europe using cotton production as collateral, often ineffective. Sold bonds to citizens, but the unstable value of individual bonds eventually provided little help. Most of the cost was born by printed paper currency – This is the least stable, most destructive place to receive funding. (see pg. 380)

Raising a Confederate Army Just as with the Union, initially called upon volunteers, then had to assign conscription. – Just like the Union, a draftee could pay a substitute, which rarely happened since the price was so high. – Whites owning more than 20 slaves were exempt, causing division between the rich and poor whites. – Ultimately, draft was revoked in 1863 Ultimately the Confederate army totaled 900,000 men, not including the slaves and women that were pressed into non-combat service.