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Civil War Battles: Key Events and Strategies

Explore the important battles of the Civil War, from Fort Sumter to Appomattox Court House. Learn about key victories, strategies, and their impact on the course of the war. Discover the significance of battles like Gettysburg, Vicksburg, and Sherman's March to the Sea.

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Civil War Battles: Key Events and Strategies

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  1. Important Battles of the Civil War

  2. Quick Summary • Although the North has more supplies and more men the South has better leaders and only has to fight a defensive war. • South wins many early key battles. War does not go well for the North. Not many good leaders for the North. • Majority of battles fought in the South (many in Virginia). • Eventually the North gets more aggressive generals and the South begins to run out of supplies and manpower (the North seems to have unlimited supplies). • North wins many key victories (capture the Mississippi, cut the Confederacy in half, take the Confederate capital). • The South surrenders!

  3. Battle Names • North- mainly named battles after the closest body of water or a prominent natural feature on or near the battlefield. • South- mainly named battles after the nearest town or man-made landmark. • Most battles, then, actually have two names. One which comes from the Northerners and one from the Southerners.

  4. Fort Sumter • South secedes. • Lincoln wants to re-supply the Fort (which is in South Carolina). • South orders the Fort to be captured • Bombard it for 2 days • Union troops forced to surrender • Importance? Started the Civil War!

  5. First Battle of Bull Run • 1st major land battle of the Civil War • Fought in Virginia • Union winning until confederate reinforcements arrive • Confederates win • Importance? Shows the country the war will not be quick or easy as many imagined. Also showed the reality of warfare (not romantic) • Interesting Fact: Spectators came to watch the battle and picnic. Many were killed when the Union retreated!

  6. Spectator Sports!

  7. Fort Donelson • Fort Guarding the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers • Union wants control of the Rivers (can attack Confederate states) • Union wins • Importance: First major Union victory. Ulysses S. Grant becomes an important Union leader. Ensures Kentucky will stay with the Union. Opens up Tennessee and other Southern states to invasion.

  8. Battle of Hampton Roads • Naval Battle • Ironclads- Ships coated with Iron (first time they were used) • Confederates want to break blockades of their ports • South: Merrimack (Virginia) vs. North: Monitor • Draw • Importance: Changes naval warfare. Blockade upheld.

  9. Antietam • Confederates decide to invade the North (Maryland) • Want to gain British support • Single bloodiest day in U.S. history • 23,000 people dead, wounded, or missing • Importance: Union stopped the Confederates from invading the North. Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation.

  10. Chancellorsville • Union tries to attack the Confederates in Chancellorsville, Virginia. • The Confederates outmaneuver them and win. • Importance: South loses 13,000 men and they lose one of their best generals, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.

  11. Vicksburg • North wants control of the Mississippi river (cut the Confederacy in half) • Vicksburg is the last Southern stronghold on the Mississippi • North wins • Importance: North now controls the Mississippi

  12. Gettysburg • South tries to invade North for a second time. • End the War (make the North tired of fighting) • Gain support from Europe • Gettysburg, PA • North Win • Importance: Turns the tide of the War in favor of the North. Last time Confederates will ever invade the North.

  13. Battle of Atlanta • Union wants to take Atlanta (key Confederate city. Railways and supplies). • North wins • Importance: Captured a key city (war was almost over). Helped Lincoln gain reelection.

  14. Sherman’s March to the Sea • Union general William Sherman leads troops across Georgia to the sea. • Want to destroy South’s ability to wage war and feed their army. • Path cut 60 miles wide of destruction • 100 million in property destroyed or captured, slaves freed, destroyed railroad lines, burned farms. • Importance: Union takes control of Savannah, Georgia. Union destroys ability of South to feed and supply armies and population. Total warfare.

  15. Petersburg • Union wants to take Petersburg, Virginia (important communication center and it was near Richmond, VA-the capital of the Confederacy) • North Wins • Importance: North forces General Lee to abandon the city and leave Richmond open for capture.

  16. Surrender at Appomattox • Lee (southern general) trying to link up with other Southern armies. • Halted at Appomattox Court House, VA • Lee realizes there is no hope (low on ammo, no food, low on soldiers) • Importance: Lee surrenders. The War ends shortly after! • The official surrender of the Confederacy came about a month later.

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