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Mid 19 th Century Warfare: The American Civil War. 8801, Lesson 6. Educational Objectives. To understand the character of the Civil War To comprehend its linkage to past wars and its preview of future wars. How are armies formed? Why do wars occur? Why do armies fight?
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Mid 19th Century Warfare:The American Civil War 8801, Lesson 6
Educational Objectives • To understand the character of the Civil War • To comprehend • its linkage to past wars and • its preview of future wars.
How are armies formed? Why do wars occur? Why do armies fight? How do armies fight? What is the relationship between the armed forces? Who directs their employment? How are armies sustained? How are wars ended? How is their period distinctive? What non-military factors affected the outcome? Fundamental Questions about War
Bloodiest war A national war Improved technology Leadership slow to adapt Large, unwieldy armies Shift to maneuver warfare More total in conduct A transitional conflict Three theaters Characteristics
Theaters Eastern Western Trans-Mississippi
Causes of the War • The extension of slavery into new lands • The rise of the abolition movement • The Kansas-Nebraska Act • The Dred Scott Decision • The Election of 1860
For the Union Complete suppression Extinction of the CSA Political Considerations North divided Quick victory needed For the Confederacy Independence Preservation of Old South Political Considerations Territorial integrity Foreign recognition Hold the West Politics and Policy
Union Reassert authority Create an army Offensive operations Not war CSA Create a country, a government, an army Defend territory Win a victory in North Military Tasks
Military theories • Dennis Hart Mahan • Henry Halleck • P.G.T. Beauregard • Jomini
Winfield Scott Irwin McDowell George McClellan Abraham Lincoln Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis Robert E. Lee Strategies
Strategy and Tactics • Changed conditions • Battlefield tactics
Military Affairs • Preparedness • Command Arrangements • Political generals • Rank Structure • Battlefield conditions
Technology • The rifled musket • The telegraph • The railroad
Generalship • Grant • A fortunate accident • Working at task • Concerted coordinated plan
Interpretations • Williams and Donald • Archer Jones • Joseph L. Harsh
Issues for consideration • Causes of the Civil War • Character of the war • Theater(s) of war • Clausewitz and the Length of the War • Technology
Causes of the Civil War • Why do wars occur? • Why do armies fight?
Character of the war • Limited or unlimited war? • Did its character change? • Why and how? • Reflection of 19th Century military institutions? • Reflection of the American War of War?
Theaters of war • Eastern • Western • Trans-Mississippi
Clausewitz and the Civil War • Why did it take so long • For the North to win? • For the South to lose? • Military problems and • The trinity? • Policy and politics?
Role of Technology • The war? • In enhancing the North’s ability? • In increasing the North’s vulnerability? • Grant’s vulnerability at Vicksburg? • Effect of the rifled musket?
Issues for consideration • Causes of the Civil War • Character of the war • Theater(s) of war • Clausewitz and the Length of the War • Technology
Next Week: Later 19th Century Warfare: Prussia
Points to remember • The Civil War • Union Strategy • Living off the land • Sheridan & Sherman • As view of future wars