The Civil War Begins

1. The Civil War Begins

2. The Civil War: Union vs Confederacy

3. Confederate Union

4. The first States secede

5. Decisions on Southern Forts • As Southern states seceded from the Union, they took control of most forts located within their borders • Lincoln had a decision to makes: • Send supplies and risk war or.. • Surrender the forts and give in to the rebels. • Lincoln decided to send supplies and notify the Confederates • The Confederates attacked Fort Sumter before supplies could get there.

6. Fort Sumter • Fort Sumter was attacked on April 12, 1861 and the Union surrendered the fort to the South. • Nobody died defending the fort, but the attack marked the beginning of the Civil War.

7. Lincoln Calls For Help • Two days after the surrender of Sumter, Lincoln asked the Union states to provide 75,000 militiamen to put down the rebellion in the South.

8. Preparing For Battle • The capital of the Confederacy was moved to Richmond, Virginia– the hometown of Robert E. Lee. • This meant that Virginia now became a part of the Confederacy. • Robert E. Lee was the South’s greatest general during the Civil War.

9. Choosing Sides • With Virginia seceding, all eyes turned to the border states. • Border states are slave states that border where slavery was illegal. • In the end, there were 24 states in the Union and 11 states in the Confederacy.

10. Advantages of the Union (North)? - population - 22 million - 90% of ind. goods, esp. munitions - efficient railroad system - controlled the navy, which could be used to blockade s. ports and shut down the s. eco. - but would have to fight an offensive war (long supply lines, unfamiliar territory...) - capable mil. leaders, inc. Ulysses S. Grant

11. Confederate (Rebel) advantages (South) and disadvantages • Confederates had excellent generals too -Robert E. Lee and Thomas Jackson • Defending is always easier than attacking - (familiar w/climate and territory, possible psychological advantages) • Farmers fight better than factory workers • Profitable eco. based on cotton exports • But disadvantages…a smaller pop. of 9 million (inc. 3.5 million slaves) • had to import ind. goods; very little munitions production

12. Planning Strategies • South • Defensive strategy – They knew that if the North didn’t like what they were doing, then they would have to come to them. • Knew support from the North would weaken over time • Hoped that Great Britain and France would help support knowing their need for cotton

13. Planning Strategies • North • Offensive: • “Anaconda Plan” - This plan was designed to strangle the South’s economy like a giant anaconda. It called for: • A naval blockade of the South’s coastline, thus blocking the traffic of goods and people • Take control of the Mississippi River splitting the Confederacy in two • Capturing Richmond, Virginia – the Confederate capital

15. First Battle of Bull Run • Spectators from Washington watched and expected an entertaining battle (Yes, people watched the war!) • The Union attacked near a creek called Bull Run. • Union troops were advancing, but Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall Jackson) stopped them. • “There is Jackson standing like a stone wall!” • Confederate troops led a counter-attack and pushed Union troops back • Casualties – Union = 2700; Confederates = 2000

17. Lessons of Bull Run • This battle made three points clear: • The fighting would be bloody • The war would not be over quickly • Southern soldiers would fight fiercely to defend the Confederacy

18. Questions • Answer questions 3-8 on page 515. • Use complete sentences and use your notes/textbook if you need help.