Let’s look at the numbers…

Let’s look at the numbers… *What – is the Civil War

What is a civil war? - a war between opposing groups of citizens in the same country Confederate names for the war Union names for the war • The War for States’ Rights • The War for Southern Independence • The Yankee Invasion • The Civil War • The Southern Rebellion • The War of Abolition • The War Against Slavery

Civil War Basics • April 12, 1861 - April 9, 1865(Ft. Sumter, SC) (Appomattox Court House, VA) • Two sides: Union (United States of America) (North); Confederacy (Confederate States of America) (South) • Fought on two fronts: East (coast) and West (Mississippi River) • Winner: Union

Civil War Basics • Why? • Keep the Union together (Lincoln) • States’ Rights (strong state govt.; weaker federal govt. – limit the ability to end slavery throughout the country) • Turning Point: Gettysburg, PA (East/NE) Vicksburg, MS (West)Ft. Wagner, SC (East/SE) • Strategy: North – Scott’s Great Snake South – Defensive War

Recruiting an Army Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to serve as soldiers in a campaign to squash the Southern rebellion. By the end of 1861, 527,000 volunteers had joined the Union Army. Despite preparing for a defensive war, Davis too, made a call for troops. “We seek no conquest, all we ask is to be let alone.” By the end of 1861, 258,000 men had joined the Confederate Army.

Volunteer Armies Northerners believed they needed to fight to save the Union (united is better/stronger, stick together, end slavery, safe from capture, North economically benefited from the South, etc.). Southerners believed they were fighting a war of independence (states’ rights, for slavery, for foreign trade without tariffs, etc.) similar to the American Revolution. Men on both sides were eager to enlist…

The sides……… • Blue- North Union Army – United States of America, Federal Army, Yankee Army, Northern Army, or Army of the “river” (Potomac, Cumberland, Tennessee) • Gray- South Confederate Army – Confederate States of America, The Confederates, Rebel Army, or Army of the “land mass” (Northern Virginia, Tennessee)

North Both sides believed the war would end quickly. South “We shall crush out this rebellion as an elephant would trample on a mouse.” “Just throw three or four [bomb] shells among those blue-bellied Yankees and they’ll scatter like sheep.”

As the war dragged on…… • Public support dwindled and so did the number of volunteers • By the spring of 1862 the Confederacy passed its first conscription act and by 1863 the Union was forced into doing the same. This required all able bodied men between 18 and 35 to serve if called (later draft ages 17-50).

Leaders • North- President Lincoln had very little military or national political experience, but proved to be a good leader • South- President Davis was thought to be a stronger president because he went to West Point and was a former Secretary of War

Finding a General Following the quick attack and defeat at Fort Sumter, Lincoln asked Robert E. Lee to lead the Union Army. When Virginia seceded (spring 1861), Lee’s loyalty remained with his home state not the Union. He declined the offer and later became commander of the Confederate Army. Lee commands the South in all major battles in the Northern Virginia Area and could arguably be the best General of the entire war. In the end, Lee will eventually surrender to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, VA to end the war.After the war, Lee is stripped of US citizenship which was restored to in 1975 (105 years after his death). Ironically his homestead property in Virginia has been made into the county’s most prestigious military cemeteries….Arlington National Cemetery.

Lincoln had trouble finding a good General • Winfield Scott • George B. McClellan • Henry W. Halleck • Ulysses S. Grant

The Civil War consisted of nearly 10,500 battles, engagements, and other military actions including nearly 50 major battles and about 100 others that had major significance.

Plans • The South’s plan was simple….defense, defense, defense! • The North’s plan…the Anaconda Plan (Scott’s Great Snake)…wrap around the south and suffocate it like a snake! • Seal off the coast with a naval blockade • Protect the Union Capitol: Washington, D.C.Capture Confederate Capitol: Richmond, Virginia • Conquer the Mississippi River • Squeeze/Suffocate the South to submission

Let’s look at the numbers…