1. Topic: Evaluating the Union during the Civil War: why did the North win?

2. Opening Shots of the Civil War
Early Lincoln took no harsh action
Union opinion agrees
Confederates attack Fort Sumter (SC)
Lincoln calls for the creation of a Union army
“Border States” remain loyal
Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri, Delaware
West Virginia created
Lincoln: “Preserve the Union” only
Confederacy wins several victories (Bull Run)

3. Debates in the North Republicans in control of Congress
“Fully Nationalize” the country
Homestead Act, Pacific Railway Act, Morill Land Act, Banking Act
Northern Democrats split (Peace and War factions)
Copperheads
Lincoln suspends many Civil Liberties
Censorship
Suspends Habeas Corpus
Lincoln increases army size w/out Congressional approval
1863: NY Draft Riots
Lincoln manages to keep Britain Neutral (Seward), frustrates South
1864 election: Lincoln wins (due to a Union victory in Atlanta)

4. Lincoln’s changing attitudes on slavery
Lincoln unsure of how to free slaves
Does not want to anger the border states
War changes Lincoln’s attitudes
Emancipation Proclamation (January 1, 1863)
Frees slaves in rebelling states only
Destabilizes slavery in south  many run away from plantations
Controversy in the north
“moral cause” for victory

5. “Total War” Lincoln switches Generals several times
McClellan too cautious
Gettysburg as Turning Point (1863)
General U.S. Grant  “meat grinder”
North has more manpower
Total War concept
Target southern economy & infrastructure
Naval blockade
General Sherman’s “march to the sea”
“Sherman’s Neckties”
Burning of Atlanta
Hampton Roads Meeting: all or nothing (Early 1865)
April 1865: Lee surrenders at Appomattox
Civil War is over!

6. Conclusion
1) What was the North’s greatest asset which allowed them to win the war? Defend your answer in 2-3 sentences.