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Five Causes of the Civil War • Economic and social differences between the North and the South • States versus Federal rights under the Constitution. • Fight between Slave and Non-Slave State Proponents (exacerbated by westward expansion). • Growth of the Abolition Movement. • Election of Abraham Lincoln “The Civil War started because of uncompromising differences between slave and free states over the power of the national government to prohibit slavery in the territories…” James McPherson
Advantages: Fighting a defensive war. Fighting for their homes Good hunting skills Best officers in the US Disadvantages: Few factories, gun, canons, or railroad tracks No manufacturing Small population – 9 million – 3 million were slaves The South:
Advantages: Large amount of volunteers 22 mil. Grow food Great industry 90% 70% of railroads Strong navy Abraham Lincoln Disadvantages: Huge area to conquer Unfamiliar land Stretch supply lines The North
Northern strategy Bring US back into the country. Naval blockade Gain control of the Mississippi River Capture Richmond Called Anaconda Plan Southern strategy Defensive position Did not want to conquer the north Wanted England and France to join on their side. Strategy
Emancipation Proclamation • January 1, 1863 • Freed all slaves in the Confederate states. • Loyal states’ slaves were not freed. • After the battle of Antietam • Freeing the slaves weakened the South • It was not that effective. • Constitution did not give the president the authority to free slaves in the Union. • The Civil War now focused on saving the Union and on freeing the slaves.
NORTH: Boosting economy Income tax – tax on earning started. SOUTH: Suffering Shortages Economic Effects of the War:
Total War: • War is felt by all – civilians and soldiers. • Destroy anything that will help the enemy • Sherman
Sherman’s “March to the Sea” • Sherman marched from Atlanta to the Atlantic Ocean – 60 miles wide and 300 miles long – destroying everything in his path. • Tore up railroad lines, destroyed crops, and burned/looted towns • “War is cruelty and you cannot refine it. When peace comes, you may call on me for anything. Then I will share with you my last cracker.” • Believed they had to stop the south’s ability to fight.
Lincoln runs for re election • Against McClellan (peace) • With Sherman’s success Lincoln won the election. • “With malice toward none; With charity for all…let us strive To finish the work we are in; to Bind up the nation’s wounds; to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace.”
Battle of Petersburg • June 1864 • Faced off for 10 months • Lee could not hold out any longer • Union wins despite a major mistake • Tunnel – dug a 500 ft tunnel under the Confederate position. Filled it with explosive which forced the South to retreat. Unfortunately, as the Northern soldiers poured out of the crater, with no way to climb out, Confederate troops shot the helpless soldiers. 4,000 died.
Grant takes Richmond • After Lee retreated from Petersburg there was no one to defend Richmond. • Grant marched in and took the city.
Surrender at Appomattox • Lee wanted to continue but he knew his situation was hopeless. • April 9, 1865 • Lee met Grant at Appomattox Court House • Terms of surrender: soldiers would return home but must leave their horses and guns • Grant gave food to the hungry soldiers • Grant “The war is over. The rebels are our countrymen again.”
Costs of the War • Bitter feelings • Deadliest in US history • 620,000 died • 275,000 Union wounded • 260,000 Southerners wounded
Thirteenth Amendment • Many African Americans were still slaves • President Lincoln approved the constitutional amendment to end slavery entirely in January of 1865 • Slavery was banned.
Lincoln’s Assassination • April 14, 1865 • He and his wife went to a play at Ford’s Theatre. • John Wilkes Booth, an actor, shot Lincoln in the back of the head • Died on April 15, 1865 • Conspiracy to kill all government officials.
NORTH Gov. was more powerful Paper money, federal banks, more railroads, state land grant colleges SOUTH Economy was a disaster Towns in ruins Confederate $ was worthless 4 million slaves had no money, land, jobs, or education. Effects of the War
Key Questions of Reconstruction 4. What branch of government should control the process of Reconstruction? 1. How to bring the South back into the Union? 2. How to rebuild the South after its destruction during the war 3. How to integrate and protect newly emancipated freedmen? 1. How to bring the South back into the Union?
Stages of Reconstruction 1. Presidential Reconstruction (1863-1866) 2. Congressional (or Radical) Reconstruction (1867-1877) 3. Redemption (1877-1900) • (creation of the “New South”)
Protecting the Freedmen 13th Amendment 1865 Civil Rights Act (Enforcement Acts) 1875 Freedmen’s Bureau 1865 KKK Acts 1871 Civil Rights Act of 1866 15th Amendment 1870 14th Amendment 1868 Reconstruction Act of 1867
Racial Violence & intimidation • How does the South regain control? • Knights of the White Camellia • White Leagues • Ku Klux Klan Mississippi Klansman, 1871 (Courtesy of Mr. Herbert Peck, Jr.)
Economic Panic PANIC of 1873 • Employment 14% • 18,000 business failed Northern Population: why spend $$ on Reconstruction
End of Reconstruction • Why? • Election of 1876 • Rutherford B. Hayes v. Samuel Tilden Rutherford B. Hayes
The death of Reconstruction • COMPROMISE OF 1877: • RB Hayes elected President • Redeemers in government positions • Military Reconstruction ENDED
Results of CW & Reconstruction • Slavery ended –13th Amendment • Northern industrial economy triumphed • South economically depressed • 14th and 15th Amendments • Free public schools in South • Some African Americans served in state and federal govt. • Ultimately unsuccessful in South
Questions • Outline the 5 main causes of the Civil War • Compare and contrast the relative strengths and weaknesses of the North and South • Describe the events that led to the northern victory over the confederacy • Discuss the stages of reconstruction and its aims • In what ways was reconstruction successful? What were its failures?
