THE CIVIL WAR Union vs Confederacy
Union Leaders
Abraham Lincoln President of the US during the Civil War Insisted that the Union be held together, by force if necessary.
Ulysses Grant Union military commander, who won victories over the South after several Union commanders had failed.
Frederick Douglass He urged Lincoln to recruit former slaves to fight in the Union army.
54 th Massachusetts Regiment The first black unit in the Union Army to see military action. Suicide Mission
Confederate Leaders
Jefferson Davis President of the Confederate States of America
Robert E. Lee General of Confederate Army Opposed secession, but did not believe the Union should be held together by force.
Union Advantages
Larger Population –More troops
More factories –More supplies (guns, railroads,weapons) –More money
Confederate Advantages
Military Colleges in South –Better Generals & Soldiers Fighting for “freedom” (stronger will to win)
Battles and Their Results
Charleston Harbor (SC) Opening confrontation of the Civil War Fort Sumter (April 1861)
Bull Run (Manassas, July 1861) Demonstrated that war would not end quickly Southern victory
Antietam / Sharpsburg (Sept 1862) This Union victory led to the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. Bloodiest battle of war
Gettysburg (July 1863) Union victory and turning point of the war. Lincoln dedicated a national cemetery here and gave the famous “Gettysburg Address.”
Sherman’s march to the sea (Summer 1864) Gen. Sherman led a march through the South He burned every city and farm he passed through Wanted to cripple the Southern economy
April 2, 1865 Richmond falls to Union General Grant
Appomattox Court House (April 1865) Lee surrenders to Grant Lee urged southerners to accept defeat Officially ended war
End of Civil War
Economic cost Over $20 billion spent 2/3rd of the wealth of the South destroyed
Economic and Social Impact of War
Northern economy grew 50% Industries increased production to create material for war North and Midwest emerged with strong and growing industrial economies
Northern economy grew 50% Set the stage for the emergence of the US as a global power by the beginning of the 20 th century. Completion of the transcontinental railroad intensified the westward movement of settlers into the states between the Mississippi River and the Pacific Ocean
South left embittered and devastated by war. Farms, railroads, factories destroyed Agricultural labor system destroyed Many freedmen (former slaves) migrated north and west Disorganized society
Shortage of food, shelter and jobs Richmond and Atlanta in ruins Will remain a backward, agriculture-based economy and the poorest section of the nation for many decades South left embittered and devastated by war.
Political Results Established power of Republican Party Strengthened concept of “union” North dominated government Led to emergence of powerful Democratic Party in South (the “Solid South”)