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Published byJoan Barton Modified over 9 years ago
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The Civil War 1861 - 1865
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South had some initial advantages Easier to defend than attack – Shorter supply lines – Better knowledge of terrain – Emotional advantage – defending homes & families Vast size – 750,000 square miles Best troops initially, and consistently better caval ry Advantages couldn’t hold up over time Gen. J.E.B. Stuart
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Northern advantages grew stronger over time Over 2:1 population advantage 90% of industrial production Almost 3 times as much railroad track Navy to blockade Southern coast
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Transportation & Slavery, 1860
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Union Armies’ Numerical Advantage
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Government & Finances CSA gov’t weak by design – Same problems collecting taxes as old confederation – Tariff ineffective due to Northern blockade – Bonds at 8% interest not very attractive – Printed $1.5 billion, but not legal tender – Result: 9,000% inflation (12%/month) Union gov’t better able to finance & manage war – Legal Tender Act (Feb. 1862) issued $447 million, legal tender – Internal Revenue Act (July 1862) created first income and inheritance taxes – 80% inflation (comparable to World Wars) – Lincoln took very active role as Commander in Chief
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Lincoln & the Generals
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The Early Years, 1861 – 1862: Stalemate in the East Defeat in 1 st Battle of Bull Run (July 21, 1861) showed North it would be long war George McClellan took command of Army of the Potomac – organizational genius, but too cautious Successful defense of Richmond in Battle of 7 Days (June 25-July 1, 1862) made Robert E. Lee commander of the Army of Northern Virginia Lee’s invasion of Maryland stopped at Antietam (Sept. 17, 1862) - bloodiest single day of war Burnside defeated at Fredericksburg (Dec. 13, 1862) Robert E. Lee George McClellan
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Map: Early Years in the East
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The Early Years: Victories in the West & at Sea Ulysses S. Grant wins key victory at Shiloh (April 6-7, 1862) By end of 1862, New Orleans, Memphis, & most of Miss. River valley taken Blockade steadily tightened: 9 out of 10 ships got through in 1861, but only 1 in 2 by 1865 North & South Carolina barrier islands secured by Feb. 1862 Admiral David Farragut captured New Orleans April 25, 1862 U.S. Grant David Farragut
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Map: Early Years West
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The Decision to Free the Slaves 1 st Confiscation Act (Aug. 1861) allowed seizure of slaves used directly by rebel military & abolished slavery in territories & D.C. Military often welcomed refugees as “contrabands,” & used them for labor or servants 2 nd Confiscation Act (July 1862) freed all slaves owned by rebels, but poorly written and unenforceable Emancipation Proclamation (Sept. 22, 1862; Jan. 1, 1863) freed all slaves in rebel territories
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Pres. Lincoln & Cabinet Issuing the Emancipation Proclamation
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Fighting for Freedom Militia Act (July 1862) allowed blacks to join army, but in segregated units with white officers – 179,000 African Americans served; 130,000 from slave states (100,000 escaped slaves) – Over 38,000 died (higher proportion than whites)
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The Later Years, 1863 – 1865 July 4, 1863 = turning point – Vicksburg fell to Grant after 2-month siege – Lee retreated after 3-day Battle of Gettysburg
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Gettysburg
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Finishing up in the Deep South Grant broke the siege of Chattanooga (Nov. 1863) – Made general in chief March 1864 William T. Sherman took command of Army of the West – Captured Atlanta (Sept. 2, 1864) – March to the Sea (Nov. 15 - Dec. 22, 1864) cut 25-60 mile swath of devastation from Atlanta to Savannah – Total war: destroy enemy’s will & ability to continue to fight William T. Sherman
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Map: The Deep South, 1864-65
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Grant takes command of the Army of the Potomac, 1864-65 Engaged Lee continuously to wear down rebels – Wilderness campaign (May - June 1864) was bloodbath Settled down to siege of Petersburg (June 1864 - April 1865) in response to public outrage over casualties Richmond fell April 2, 1865 Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, April 9, 1865 Breckenridge & Johnston surrendered to Sherman April 18 at Durham Station, N.C.
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Map: The East, 1864-65
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Lee Surrenders to Grant April 9, 1865
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The Assassination Lincoln assassinated April 14, 1865 (Good Friday) – Told Cabinet that morning about dream of being in a “singular, indescribable vessel... moving with great rapidity toward a dark and indefinite shore.” – Shot that night by actor John Wilkes Booth while watching play at Ford’s Theater with his wife Part of larger conspiracy to assassinate top echelon of federal government – Secretary of State Seward severely wounded – Vice President Andrew Johnson spared because would-be killer got drunk instead
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The Conspirators John Wilkes Booth Lewis Powell, George Atzerodt, Mary Surratt & David Herold
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The Ford Theater
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