2.   President Lincoln made George McClellan command of the Union army in the East.  Lincoln wanted McClellan to attack the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, but McClellan refused.  In the meantime, Ulysses S. Grant was the general of the Western Union army.  Why do you think McClellan refused to attack Richmond? Union Victories in the West

3.   Grant took control of two river forts Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in Tennessee.  Effect on Union  Confederate defenses are dramatically weakened.  Effect on the Confederacy  Grant opens up a “river highway” into the heart of the South. Half of Tennessee is now in Union hands. Grant’s Success

4.  http://www.history.com/videos/the-battle-of-shiloh#the-battle-of-shiloh  Battle was in Tennessee  Confederate surprise attack on the Union. The Union held and pushed the Confederates back.  Casualties: Union – 13,000; Confederacy – 13,000.  Quote analysis: What do you think, “The scenes on this field would have cured anybody of war,” means?  What do you think the term “hornets nest” means? Battle of Shiloh

5.   On April 25 th, 1862, a Union fleet led by Admiral David Farragut captured New Orleans.  The Union was on its way to achieving its goal of splitting the Confederacy in two.  How might the fall of New Orleans have affected Southern trade? Fall of New Orleans

6.   After the fall of New Orleans, McClellan (Union) started advancing towards the capital of Richmond.  In the meantime, Robert E. Lee took control of Confederate troops.  He sent a spy to locate McClellan’s position and attacked the Union army.  The two sides fought for a week, hence the name “Seven Days’ Battle”.  Although the Confederates suffered heavier losses, the Union was forced to retreat. Seven Days’ Battles

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8.   Continuing with their victories, the Confederates also won another battle at Bull Run.  Within just a few months, Lee had ended the Union threat in Virginia and gave Confederates hope of winning the war.  Why do you think there was so much military activity in Virginia? Second Battle of Bull Run

9.   Riding the wave of success, Lee decided to invade the Union.  He wrote a letter to President Jefferson Davis about his plan, but didn’t wait for a response back. This changed the South’s strategy of fighting a defensive war.  Reasons for invading:  Victory in the North might force peace talks  Invasion would give Virginia farmers a rest from the war during harvest season  Confederates could plunder (steal) from the North  He hoped it would show that the Confederacy could win the war and have European nations to side with the South. Lee Invades the North

10.   How did the South’s luck change after Lee took command of the Army of Northern Virginia?  Do you think it was a good idea for General Robert E. Lee to invade the North? Why or why not?