SECESSION AND THE CIVIL WAR BEGINS Advantages…Disadvantages… Strategies…Moliblization… TOTAL WAR

The Storm Gathers Secession does not necessarily mean war One last attempt to reconcile North & South? Federal response to secession debated…

The Failure of Compromise Crittenden Plan: extend the Missouri Compromise line to the Pacific Lincoln rejects – does not think it will end secession – viewed as being in opposition to Republican principles Buchanan had taken no action to stop secession Some wish to “let the South depart in peace” !

The Deep South Secedes December 20,1860--South Carolina secedes February Confederate States of America formed – included South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas –Wrote a constitution (patterned on US constitution) that supported states’ rights philosophy –Elected representatives to the Confederate government – controlled by moderates –Aim to restore pre-Republican Party Union –Southerners hope to attract Northern states into Confederacy ALL THIS WAS DONE BEFORE LINCOLN TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE

Secession

And the War Came North seeks action to preserve Union April 13, Fort Sumter, S.C, falls April 15--Lincoln calls out Northern state militias to suppress Southern insurrection April-May--Upper South secedes Border states--slave states remain in Union War defined as effort to preserve Union

Total War North must win by destroying South’s will to resist! Total War--a test of societies, economies, political systems as well as armies

Capital City North Washington, D.C. South Richmond, Va. President North Abraham Lincoln South Jefferson Davis

Political Leadership: Northern Success and Southern Failure Lincoln expands wartime powers – declares martial law – imprisons 10,000 "subversives" without trial – briefly closed down a few newspapers Jefferson Davis – concerned mainly with military duties – neglects civilian morale, economy – lacks influence with state governments

Advantages in War North –Population –Diverse economy – industry & agriculture –Leadership of Lincoln South –Military leadership –High troop morale –Cause to fight for –Home turf –Sympathy from Europeans & “Cotton Diplomacy”

Resources of the Union and the Confederacy, 1861

Disadvantages in War North –Long supply lines –Difficult to blockade long coastline –Lack military leadership South –Small population –“King Cotton” –Lack industries to supply war effort –Poor transportation –States’ Rights philosophy- citizens resist a national gov’t authority

Strategy North The Anaconda Plan - Blockade the South - Split at the Mississippi River - Squeeze from all directions to force surrender - Capture Richmond South Defense -Defend independence (Even a tie is a victory) -Capture Washington,D.C.

Overview of Civil War Strategy

Mobilizing the Home Fronts North & South begin conscription Northern mobilization – finance war through taxes, bonds, paper money – private industry supplies Union armies well Confederate mobilization – government arsenals supply Confederate armies – efforts to finance lead to runaway inflation – transportation system inadequate

The Diplomatic Struggle England – belligerent rights extended to Confederacy Not recognized as sovereign nation, but given rights of a sovereign nation…access to foreign ports, etc. – conditions recognition of independence on proof that South can win independence – Institution of slavery is obstacle to English support France –Confederacy not recognized unless England does so first "King Cotton" has little influence on foreign policy decisions of other nations.

Weapons of Mass Destruction Most soldiers were issued smoothbore muskets that were difficult to load and could be fired at an accurate range of only about 100 yards, only three times in one minute. Rifled muskets were much more accurate and deadly with a range of up to 500 yards.

Destruction from Artillery In the Civil War, some Cannons were rifled for better accuracy and more power. Rifled cannons could accurately lob shells for almost 2000 yards; that is almost one mile!. Smoothbore cannons were not as accurate and could be lobbed 500 yards.