Girding for War: The North and the South, 1861–1865

Battles of the Civil War – civil-war-infographic.html#.T_XEKfV0n-I civil-war-infographic.html#.T_XEKfV0n-I

Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address March 1861 Apprehension seems to exist among the people of the Southern States that by the accession of a Republican Administration their property and their peace and personal security are to be endangered. There has never been any reasonable cause for such apprehension.... I do but quote from one of those speeches when I declare that-- I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so.

But if destruction of the Union by one or by a part only of the States be lawfully possible, the Union is less perfect than before the Constitution, having lost the vital element of perpetuity.Constitution It follows from these views that no State upon its own mere motion can lawfully get out of the Union; that resolves and ordinances to that effect are legally void, and that acts of violence within any State or States against the authority of the United States are insurrectionary or revolutionary, according to circumstances. I therefore consider that in view of the Constitution and the laws the Union is unbroken, and to the extent of my ability, I shall take care, as the Constitution itself expressly enjoins upon me, that the laws of the Union be faithfully executed in all the States.Constitution

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South Carolina Assails Fort Sumter April 12, 1861 South Carolina opened fire on the fort The garrison surrendered Lincoln issued a call for 75,000 militiamen

Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee and North Carolina seceded Border States of Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, and Delaware remained in the Union – Later joined by West Virginia when it broke away from Virginia – Lincoln successfully used methods of dubious legality – In Maryland, he declared martial law – Deployed Union troops to western Virginia and Missouri

“If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could do it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that.” -Abraham Lincoln to Horace Greeley, Aug. 1862

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Most of the Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, Chickasaws, and Seminoles sided with the Confederacy. Some Cherokees and most Plains Indians sided with the Union.

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The Balance of Forces Southern advantages – Could fight defensively; North had to invade South to conquer it – On its territory, the South would be fighting for self- determination and preservation of its way of life – Talented military officers, such as Robert E. Lee – Southern soldiers were skilled fighters Southern weaknesses – Supply problems – Transportation problems

Northern Strengths – North had both farms and factories – Strong transportation network – ¾ of the nation’s wealth – Control of the seas -could blockade the South -ability to trade with Europe -Large reserves of manpower -22 million v. 9 million (including 3.5 million slaves) – Immigration provided manpower

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Dethroning King Cotton Europe’s ruling classes generally sympathized with the South Many average, working-class citizens, especially in England, tended to sympathize with the North Various factors prevented England from openly supporting the South, despite its desire for southern cotton – Had reserves of cotton – Desired foodstuffs from Union – Cotton growers in Egypt and India increased share of world market

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The Decisiveness of Diplomacy Trent affair (1861)— – Union warship in Cuban waters stopped British mail steamer, Trent Took two Confederate diplomats bound for Europe Britons outraged Lincoln released two prisoners because not want to face two wars and same time Alabama— – Second major crisis in Anglo-American relations: Britain built Confederate commerce-raiders – Confederate commerce-destroyers, chiefly British-built, captured over 250 Yankee ships – Severely crippled American merchant marine Laird rams—two Confederate warships being constructed by John Laird and Sons in Great Britain – Designed to destroy Union wooden ships with iron rams – Not released by Britain

Foreign Flare-ups

President Davis Versus President Lincoln

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Limitations on Wartime Liberties Lincoln declared a blockade when war broke out (upheld by Supreme Court) He increased the size of the federal army (a Congressional power) (later approved by Congress) He directed the Sec. of the Treasury to advance $2 million to three private citizens for military purposes Suspended the right to a writ of habeas corpus Federal officials ordered the suspension of certain newspapers

Volunteers and Draftees: North and South 1862 Confederate Congress instituted a draft – Rich could hire a substitute 1863 Congress instituted a federal conscription (draft) law for the first time nationwide – The rich could pay to avoid service Draft riot broke out in NY 90% of Union troops were volunteers

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The Economic Stresses of War Excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol were raised Income tax levied for the first time Morrill Tariff Act- raised existing duties 5-10% – Protective tariff became identified with the Republican party – Industrialists benefitted from the protectionism Gov’t printed “greenbacks” whose value fluctuated Gov’t borrowed money through the sale of bonds National Banking System authorized by Congress (eventually replaced by the Federal Reserve System in 1913)

The North’s Economic Boom The victory of northern capitalism as a result of the war ultimately contributed to the emergence of the Industrial Revolution Manufacturers gained increased dominance over American economic and political life

New factories emerged as a result of protective tariffs Manufacturers and businesspeople profited from the war Millionaire class developed “Shoddy millionaires”- became wealthy through unscrupulous profiteering (ie., using shoddy wool)

New laborsaving machinery such as the sewing machine – Standards “sizes” began to be used Mechanical reapers freed up labor and produced huge quantities of grain (much of which could be sold abroad) Discovery of petroleum led to the birth of a new industry – “Fifty-Niners” rushed to PA

Women and the War The war expanded opportunities for women “Government girls” worked for the gov’t in D.C. More women entered industry (1:4  1:3) Some women helped near the front lines Other women organized bazaars and fairs to raise money for relief efforts

U.S. Sanitary Commission founded- organized by Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell (America’s first female physician) Clara Barton and Dorothea Dix transformed nursing into a respected profession that became a major sphere of employment for women after the war

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A Crushed Cotton Kingdom The South had 30% of the nation’s wealth in 1860, but only 12% by 1870 The average southern income was 2/5ths that of the North Transportation was devastated

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