SECESSION AND THE CIVIL WAR Chapter 15

Adjusting to Total War War defined as effort to preserve Union North must win by destroying will to resist Total War: a test of societies, economies, political systems as well as armies

The Deep South Secedes Confederate constitution resembles U.S. – Aim to restore pre-Republican Party Union – Southerners hope to attract Northern states into Confederacy Federal response to secession debated – Crittenden Plan: Extend the Missouri Compromise line to the Pacific – Lincoln rejects compromise

Resources of the Union and the Confederacy, 1861

Strategies and Advantages North More industry Larger population Navy/organized military Organized government Railroads Stronger economy Strategy was to capture capital and split South in two (Mississippi River campaign) South Fighting for way of life Leadership Knew territory Strategy was to fight a defensive war (war of attrition) and get recognized by foreign nations for support of their cause

Overview of Civil War Strategy

Mobilizing the Home Fronts North Abraham Lincoln – Expands wartime powers – Declares martial law (Imprisons 10,000) – Briefly suspends freedom of speech – Suspends Habeas Corpus – Conscription Act 1862 (draft) – Finance war through taxes, bonds, paper money, and private business South Jefferson Davis – Concerned mainly with military duties – Neglects civilian morale, economy – Efforts to finance lead to runaway inflation – Conscription Act 1862 (draft) – Lacks influence with state governments

Overall War Effort North For the first two years war becomes disastrous By 1863, riots break out over Conscription Act Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 is turning point of the war Lincoln Emancipates slaves to help war effort (54 th Mass) North continues to press on until South eventually cracks South For first two years the South performs beautifully Push to get support overseas does not work out Economic failure and key defeats in 1863 lead to Southern demise South eventually cannot keep up with war effort and surrenders

Effects of the War The use of total war was devastating 618,000 troops dead Bereft women seek non-domestic roles Four million African Americans free, not equal Industrial workers face wartime inflation

Effects of the War Federal government predominant over states Federal government takes activist role in the economy – Higher tariffs, free land, national banking system Catalyst for transformation of American society in the late nineteenth century