1. New Technology Vs. Old Tactics
Civil War Weaponry
New Technology
Vs.
Old Tactics

2. New Technology The Civil War was the first “Modern War”
New Weapons made battles more deadly
Improvements in transportation allowed for men and materials to be moved more efficiently
Improvements in communication allowed news and information to move more quickly

3. Old Tactics Military Tactics and Strategies were outdated
Soldiers still marched in large groups, and fired in massive volleys, they fought this way because of the weapons available to them at the time.
Inaccurate muskets
Inaccurate ammunition
Difficult and time consuming loading process

4. Rifles
Muzzle Loaders- Ammunition is loaded down the barrel of the gun, 1 round at a time
Breach Loaders- Ammunition is loaded through the back of the weapon, multiple rounds at a time
Dramatic increases in rate of fire
Rifles- Guns with groves cut on the inside of the barrel which causes the bullets to spin
Dramatic increases in accuracy
Dramatic increases in distance

5. Minie Ball (Minnie Ball)
Developed by a Frenchmen
No really a ball at all!!
A Cone shaped bullet with a flat, hollow bottom
58 caliber, this is very large
When Minie Balls hit bone, the bone shatters, and splinters
New Rifles and Minie Balls caused bullets to spin like footballs, increasing accuracy and distance.

6. Gatling Guns Invented by Dr. Richard Gatling
Saw limited use during the Civil War
Basically the first functional Machine Gun
Allowed for a small group of soldiers to have a very high rate of fire

7. Railroads The Union had far more railroads then the Confederacy
Railroads increased the efficiency of transportation of men and material
Cheaper
Faster
More Reliable

8. Telegraph Early form of communication over long distances
Allowed commanders on both sides to issue orders over distance, as well as receive important information
Also allowed for news reports to travel much faster across the country

9. Balloons Not party ones!
Hot Air balloons were used as spotting platforms, so commanders could see the entire battlefield

10. Ironclads Ships that used iron or steel armor for protection
Before Ironclads, ships were made of wood and would be vulnerable to fire and explosive ammunition
Powered by steam, not wind