Civil War Erupts

First Shots fired at Fort Sumter Located in the harbor of Charleston South Carolina Located in the harbor of Charleston South Carolina Most Federal forts were being taken over by the Rebels. Most Federal forts were being taken over by the Rebels. President Lincoln had to make a decision President Lincoln had to make a decision –Supply Fort Sumter –Take no action

Fort Sumter Southern Rebels decided to attack the fort before reinforcements could arrive. Southern Rebels decided to attack the fort before reinforcements could arrive. Battle lasted for 34 hours Battle lasted for 34 hours The Fort was surrendered to the South The Fort was surrendered to the South No one was killed No one was killed

Lincoln calls out the militia Two days following Fort Sumter 75,000 enlist for 90 days to put down the uprising Two days following Fort Sumter 75,000 enlist for 90 days to put down the uprising Southern leaders respond with anger and within 2 weeks Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas seceded. Southern leaders respond with anger and within 2 weeks Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas seceded.

The Confederate Strategy Didn’t want to invade the North just wanted to be independent. Didn’t want to invade the North just wanted to be independent. –“All we asked is to be let alone” King Cotton King Cotton –South thought since Southern Cotton was so important in the European markets that France and Britain would aide in their desire for independence

The Confederate Strategy They would withhold cotton from the market. They would withhold cotton from the market. – Europe had enough from the year before – Didn’t want to get involved in an American War As the war moved on they decided to take a more offensive role. As the war moved on they decided to take a more offensive role.

Union Strategy The Anaconda Plan The Anaconda Plan –How does an anaconda kill it’s prey? Constricts it until it dies Constricts it until it dies –The plan was to smother the Confederate economy forcing them back into the Union. Set up a Blockade –Biggest problem is that it would take some time to work

General George McClellan 1 st General of the Union Army during the Civil War 1 st General of the Union Army during the Civil War He was an engineer and meticulous planner He was an engineer and meticulous planner –Biggest problem with cautiously planning his moves is that he moved to slow!!! He would be fired for a more reckless and offensive Ulysses S. Grant He would be fired for a more reckless and offensive Ulysses S. Grant

Ulysses S. Grant 2 nd General of the Union Army during the Civil War 2 nd General of the Union Army during the Civil War –Was a failure in many ventures I in life War Strategy: War Strategy: –“Find out where your enemy is, get at him as soon as you can get at him as soon as you can strike at him as hard as you can, and keep strike at him as hard as you can, and keep moving on.” moving on.” Why was Grant more successful than McClellan in Lincoln’s eyes?

Ulysses S. Grant Led the battle in the West Led the battle in the West –Tennessee to Alabama –Won battles at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson These victories opened the travel of the Tennessee River as far as Alabama. These victories opened the travel of the Tennessee River as far as Alabama. He would also lead the troops at the Battle of Shiloh, which was the bloodiest battle early on in the War He would also lead the troops at the Battle of Shiloh, which was the bloodiest battle early on in the War Many wanted President Lincoln to replace Grant because of the high casualties Many wanted President Lincoln to replace Grant because of the high casualties –Lincoln replied, "I can't spare this man--he fights."

Robert E. Lee Career military leader Career military leader Graduated 2 nd in his class at West Point Graduated 2 nd in his class at West Point Was very much against slavery and secession. Was very much against slavery and secession. –“I cannot raise my hand against my birthplace, my home, my children.” Would Command the Confederate Army Would Command the Confederate Army Though the Confederates lost, many still regard him as the best Gen. of the Civil War. Though the Confederates lost, many still regard him as the best Gen. of the Civil War.

Those who fought Soldiers were between the ages of yrs old Soldiers were between the ages of yrs old ½ the soldiers were farmers ½ the soldiers were farmers Immigrants German and Irish Immigrants German and Irish In the beginning neither the north or south accepted African Americans In the beginning neither the north or south accepted African Americans 2 million Union 2 million Union 1 million Confederate 1 million Confederate

Military Technology Rifle- a gun with a grooved barrel causing the bullet to spin Rifle- a gun with a grooved barrel causing the bullet to spin Ironclads- warship covered in iron. Ironclads- warship covered in iron. –Most famous was the Merrimack from Virginia

1 st Battle of Bull Run/Manassas The battle was won by the Confederates The battle was won by the Confederates General Thomas J. Jackson “Stonewall” General Thomas J. Jackson “Stonewall” Confederates would attack with a blood curdling yell known as the “Rebel Yell” Confederates would attack with a blood curdling yell known as the “Rebel Yell” Rebels felt the war was over! Rebels felt the war was over! Union realizes that they have under estimated their opponents Union realizes that they have under estimated their opponents

Battle of Shiloh April 1862 April 1862 Near Shiloh Church Near Shiloh Church –Southern Tennessee –Along the Tennessee River Early on in the War it was one of the Bloodiest battles Early on in the War it was one of the Bloodiest battles

Battle of Shiloh Union Union –William T. Sherman Has 3 horses shot out from under him. Has 3 horses shot out from under him. Casualties: Casualties: –13,000 Both sides anticipated victory but the Union would force the Confederate troops to retreat. Both sides anticipated victory but the Union would force the Confederate troops to retreat. Confederate Confederate –Gen. Albert S. Johnston Shot and Killed in action –Gen. P.T. Beauregard Takes Command –Casualties: –11,000 of 41,000

Bloody Antietam September 17, 1862 September 17, 1862 –Near… Sharpsburg, Maryland Casualties: Casualties: –25,000 Lee lost 1/3 of his fighting force Lee lost 1/3 of his fighting force McClellan did not pursue to finish off the Confederate force. McClellan did not pursue to finish off the Confederate force.

Bloody Antietam Results… Results… –The casualty rate was so high that there was no clear winner. President Lincoln will be furious that Gen. McClellan doesn’t pursue Gen. Lee President Lincoln will be furious that Gen. McClellan doesn’t pursue Gen. Lee –McClellan will be fired at the conclusion of the Battle.