Do Now– 05/07 Observe the picture on your desk and draw as many conclusions as you can about: How men (and a very few women) fought during the Civil War? And What it was like to be there? DON’T FORGET YOUR HOMEWORK!!! DUE MON.

Today we are going to discuss how the ways militaries fought changed during the Civil War due to better technology and evolving tactics.

POINT 1: WEAPONS

Muskets– before the Civil War Similar to a rifle One bullet per reload Muzzle loading (load from the front of the gun barrel) 300 ft. range

BAYONET

Cavalry

If you have cavalry, bayonets, and guns with poor range and limited accuracy– what will the fighting look like? Napoleonic Tactics

Using Napoleonic Tactics (considered the best tactics at the time) meant if you wanted to take another army’s position, you charged at them out in the open, colliding with them and using the momentum of your charge to overtake them and their position. Fighting from behind barriers was seen as cowardly, unmanly and unsportsmanlike.

New technology for Muskets during Civil War Repeating rifles– multiple bullets! 900 foot range

Artillery

The new technology meant longer range and more shots. When an army charges, the receiving army gets 5-6 shots off before the approaching army can get close to them. The artillery can shot farther, and cuts into any charging army. How do you think this technology will change the use of Napoleonic Tactics?

POINT 2: POSITION

Go back to page 2, what is the casualty count for the Union vs. the Confederacy at the Battle of Fredericksburg? Why is there a huge difference? What advantage did the CSA have in this battle?

Who wins? Why?

RETURN TO CIVIL WAR: 1863

Robert E. Lee– Southern Commadner Getting very confident. Wants to encourage the peace movement in the North. Wants to give war-torn Virginia a break. Where does he go?

The Battle of Gettysburg

BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG JULY 1-3 rd 1863 Just outside of town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. CSA Leaders Present: Lee, Longstreet, Davis, Pickett. USA Leaders Present: New commander: Meade. First two days are inconsequential. Takes us to July 3 rd !

The North is firmly placed on Cemetery Hill. Lee wants to take the offensive, it has worked time after time, he believes his men can do it. Longstreet (a general under Lee) argues, tells Lee its not smart, he shouldn’t do, the casualty count will be too high. Lee orders Pickett to send his men, under Davis’ command, forward.

Do Now– 05/08 1)What was Pickett’s Charge? 2)How does the failure show how old school tactics don’t work with new technologies?

During Pickett’s charge the Confederates suffered thousands of casualties. The Union had about 400.

Had Pickett’s charge been successful– how different could the war have been?

After the battle South– forced back to VA. Lost 1/3 rd of forces, will never be in North again. North– the rest of the Civil War will be fought in the South. The North will not have to deal with the destruction again. Meade– didn’t pursue Lee’s forces. Dismissed… not clear that he could have, but Lincoln is tired of ineffective generals….

Battle of Gettysburg killedwoundedmissingtotal Union3,15014,5005,16522,815 Confederate4,40012,9505,35022,700 Total7,55027,45010,51545,515

GETTYSBURG RESULTS USA– of 88,000 troops there, 23,000 casualties % of their forces. CSA– of 75,000 troops there, 28,000 casualties % of their forces

51,000 casualties– 7,500 dead United States citizens. The population of the USA was 31 million at the time. In percentage terms– it is the equivalent of 74 million casualties today (315 million people). RESULTS CONTINUED…