Chapter 12: The Civil War (1861-1865) Section 1: The Union Dissolves …here we go…

Last Attempts at Compromise (How well has compromise worked up to this point?) When President Lincoln took office in 1861, the nation stood on the brink of collapse. Seven southern states had already seceded from the Union. South Carolina - Georgia Mississippi - Louisiana Florida - Texas Alabama

The Crittenden Compromise Senator John J. Crittenden proposed extending the old Missouri Compromise line to the Pacific Ocean. Territories in the North would be free, and those in the South would be slave. Lincoln quickly rejected this idea. Why? Opposition to the spread of slavery had united the Republican Party. The Republicans may have turned on Lincoln if he supported the expansion of slavery. Lincoln did support protecting slavery where it already existed.

Lincoln’s Own Words… “My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and it is not either to save or destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that.”

Lincoln’s View As President, Lincoln felt bound to enforce the Constitution in every state, even those that had already left.

Fort Sumter The Confederacy began taking over many federal forts, mints, and arsenals in the seceded states. Ft. Sumter, in South Carolina, remained under Union control.

Fort Sumter This fort lay at a very strategic location in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina. The South needed the fort in order to control access to this major port city.

Fort Sumter In early March 1861 the fort’s commander, Major Robert Anderson, sent word to Washington, D.C. that he was nearly out of supplies, and without reinforcements the fort would fall to the Confederates. A little help here, Abe?

Fort Sumter The North did not want to lose the fort. Why? Lincoln did not want to use force against the Confederacy, and make the first move. Lincoln decided to send unarmed re-supply ships to the fort. What do you think Lincoln’s reasoning was behind this decision?

Fort Sumter Lincoln sent word to South Carolina governor F.W. Pickens that the supply ships were on their way. Southern General P.G.T. Beauregard ordered the federal troops at the fort to evacuate. Major Anderson refused.

Fort Sumter At 4:30 a.m. on April 12, 1861 the Confederate forces opened fire on Fort Sumter. The fort was bombed for 34 hours before Anderson formally surrendered the fort to the Confederates.

Fort Sumter On April 15, 1861, Lincoln publicly called for the states to provide 75,000 soldiers each to put down the rebellion. The recruits were told that they would only be required for three months of service. Lincoln may have underestimate things…

Chapter 12: The Civil War (1861-1865) Section 1: The Union Dissolves …what just happened?

Choosing Sides After the fall of Fort Sumter, four more southern states joined the Confederacy. Arkansas, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia responded to Lincoln’s call for troops by seceding from the Union.

Choosing Sides Four other slave states – Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, and Missouri – remained in the Union. Delaware – had few slaves and identified more with the North Kentucky and Missouri – both states severely divided on the issue Maryland – Lincoln used federal troops to keep Maryland in the Union. Why was Maryland so important to the Union?

Choosing Sides The mountainous counties of northwestern Virginia remained loyal to the Union as well. People there had few slaves. They set up their own government, and in 1863 a new state was admitted to the Union. What was it?

Choosing Sides Many families in the border states would be torn apart by the war. One son of Kentucky Senator John Crittenden became a Union general, and the other became a Confederate general. President Lincoln’s wife, Mary Todd, was a southerner by birth. She had four brothers who fought in the Confederate army.

The Confederacy Original Seceded States (1860) South Carolina Alabama Florida Georgia Louisiana Mississippi Texas Seceded in 1861 Arkansas North Carolina Tennessee Virginia

Choosing Sides The Union – (North) The Confederacy (South) The Blue The Grey

Comparing North and South Resources of the North and South in 1861 Resources North South ____ Total Population 22,000,000 9,000,000 (3,500,000 are slaves) Bank Deposits $189,000,000 $47,000,000 Railroad Mileage 20,000 miles 9,000 miles Number of Factories 100,500 20,600

The Union Strengths Weaknesses large population of available soldiers controlled 85% of the nation’s industry – could produce military supplies and replace lost or damaged equipment faster than the Confederacy controlled the majority of the railroads in the U.S., and manufactured most of the nation’s railroad equipment most of the U.S. Navy remained loyal to the Union Weaknesses the issue of slavery will divide the North the North has to fight on the offensive – that is, attempt to conquer about 750,000 square miles of territory the North will have a difficult time finding good, qualified military leadership

The Confederacy Strengths Weaknesses the South is united in its cause the South will fight a defensive war – it must only protect its territory until the North becomes tired of the war the South will have excellent military leadership Weaknesses small population of available soldiers contained almost no industry – most Southern wealth was in land and slaves railroads were short and disconnected, and the South could not replace broken or worn-out parts or equipment quickly had almost no naval ships or experienced naval officers

Robert E. Lee One of the South’s greatest advantages was having this man as commander. He fought in the Mexican War. He led the troops that captured John Brown at Harper’s Ferry.

Robert E. Lee As the southern states began to secede, U.S. General Winfield Scott advised Lincoln to offer command of the Union forces to Lee. Lee opposed slavery and secession, but stated that he could not fight against Virginia. “With all my devotion to the Union and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my children, my home. I have therefore resigned my commission in the Army, and save in defense of my native State – with the sincere hope that my poor services may never be needed – I hope I may never by called on to draw my sword.”

Chapter 12: The Civil War (1861-1865) Section 1: The Union Dissolves …who’s fighting?

The Armies Lee eventually led the South’s army. By the end of 1861: Union – 527,000 soldiers Confederacy – 258,000 soldiers Most were between the ages of 18-29, with drummer boys as young as 9.

The Armies (in total) The Union: 2,672,341 – army 3,530 American Indians 180,000 African Americans 105,962 – navy or marines

The Armies (in total) The Confederacy: 750,000 – army 5,500 American Indians Many were lured to fight for the Confederacy with the promise of an all-Indian state after the war was over.

Onto the battles… Naming Civil War battles Union named battles based on the nearest run, stream, creek, ridge, mountain, or natural feature Confederacy named battles based on the nearest town or village

The First Battle of Bull Run General Scott (U) believed his troops needed several months training. Despite that, Lincoln ordered General Irvin McDowell to take 35,000 barely trained troops to Richmond, VA in mid-July 1861.

The First Battle of Bull Run Gen. McDowell’s forces never reached Richmond. On July 21, 1861, 35,000 Confederate troops met the Union troops near Manassas Junction, a railroad crossing. The Confederates were led by General Joseph Johnston.

The First Battle of Bull Run The Union will do well in this battle – at first. Then, Confederate Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson led a charge toward the Union lines. The Union retreated back to Washington, D.C.

The First Battle of Bull Run Casualties: Union: 2,950 Confederacy: 1,750 This battle will be a victory for the South.

Chart of the Leading Battles of the Civil War (1861-1865) Battle: Manassas I Date: July 21, 1861 Theater: Eastern Union Commander: Gen. McDowell Confederate Commander: Gen. J.E. Johnston Victor: Confederate Significance: Both sides begin to prepare for a long war.

The Aftermath The events of this battle led many to realize that this war would go on longer than a few months. Each side began to seriously train its forces and plan a strategy.

The Aftermath President Lincoln named General George McClellan to head the Union forces. President Davis named Joseph Johnston to lead the Army of Northern Virginia, and chose Robert E. Lee as his advisor.

The Aftermath The most important consequence may have been psychological. How so? The defeat shamed and shocked the North. The South claimed superiority. Is it superior?

Chart of the Leading Battles of the Civil War (1861-1865) Battle: Fort Sumter Date: April 12-14, 1861 Theater: Eastern Union Commander: Major Anderson Confederate Commander: General Beauregard Victor: Confederate Significance: Opening of the Civil War

Chart of the Leading Battles of the Civil War (1861-1865) Battle: Manassas I Date: July 21, 1861 Theater: Eastern Union Commander: Gen. McDowell Confederate Commander: Gen. J.E. Johnston Victor: Confederate Significance: Both sides begin to prepare for a long war.