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Course of the Civil War. 1861 - 1865. The North. 23 states Pop. 22 million. 4 million of fighting age (17 – 35) 100,000 factories, 1.1 million employees 20,000 miles of RR and 96% of RR equipment 81% of nations bank deposits in North. $56 mil in gold Control of Merchant Marines and Navy.
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Course of the Civil War 1861 - 1865
The North • 23 states • Pop. 22 million. 4 million of fighting age (17 – 35) • 100,000 factories, 1.1 million employees • 20,000 miles of RR and 96% of RR equipment • 81% of nations bank deposits in North. $56 mil in gold • Control of Merchant Marines and Navy
The South • Pop 9 mil, including 4 mil slaves • 20,000 factories employing 10,000 people • 9,000 miles of Railroad • Count on Foreign need for Cotton, i.e.; Britain might step in. • Only need to fight defensively • Morale: fighting for homes and family • Better military leaders, more military academies in South • New government, built from scratch, sovereignty of states, little fed. Power.
Great Britain • The South was looking for an additional advantage, namely an alliance with Great Britain (since Great Britain industry was dependent on "King Cotton")...but Great Britain was wary of events and did not want to become involved: • Great Britain had stockpiled cotton as the conflict was escalating; they had also found other sources (Madras, India)
Great Britain • Most British workers who lost their jobs in cotton factories had been able to find work in the new munitions factories that were mostly supplying the North • Most British citizens resented slavery • Britain crop failures had led to increased grain trade with the North
North’s Leaders Winfield Scott Joseph Hooker Ulysses S. Grant Irwin McDowell George McClellan George Meade Ambrose Burnside George McClellan,Again!
Confederate Generals “Stonewall” Jackson Nathan Bedford Forrest George Pickett Jeb Stuart James Longstreet Robert E. Lee
Abraham Lincoln 1809-1865 • Born in Kentucky to uneducated farmer parents from Virginia, moved to Indianan, then Illinois • Mother died when 9…loved step-mother • Learned to read, write, and cipher…the rest of his education came in adulthood. Taught himself law and passed the bar in 1837. • Worked in a store, as a postmaster, and surveyor • Whig: Won election to state legislature in1834. 1846, elected to US House of Representatives, unpopular sentiments -> doesn’t run for reelection. Continues as Lawyer.
“honest Abe” • Republican: 1858 run for senate, Lincoln-Douglas debates. • 1860 Election. • Character: “honest Abe”, clever politician, good mind, ambitious, tall tales and bawdy humor. Simple, direct style of writing, expert axmen and champion wrestler. Tall and thin. Never drank liquor, depression? Reputation of integrity. Not an abolitionist. Moderate position, compassion for slave owner who was raised to that lifestyle. Inaugural address, conciliatory but firm. • Establishes Cabinet that includes opposing parties and viewpoints.
Key Players • President Jefferson Davis • Robert E. Lee • George McClellan • Ulysses S. Grant
President Jefferson Davis • Best type of Southern Planter, humane treatment of slaves • Wanted to give Lincoln a chance rather than secede • Courageous, industrious, intelligent, but, not great military mind, held grudges and argued with subordinates. Not popular
Robert E. Lee • Antithesis of McClellan. Courtly, tactful, bold, psychologist on battlefield, reading opponent and acting accordingly. • Served in Mexican War. • Instinctive mastery of tactics.
George McClellan • General Commanding Union forces after Scott retires, Nov 1861. 1st union hero. • Romanticizer and egomaniac. • West point grad, served in Mexican War and Crimean War. • Could inspire troops.
Ulysses S. Grant • Mediocre west point grad, took to drink and lost commission. • Farmer, real estate agent, clerk in a store. • Could manage a large army and win battles.
Fall of Fort Sumter: the first shots of the war • Confederates began to take over federal holdings in the south, allowing union soldiers to return home unmolested • Lincoln sends reinforcements to Fort Sumter • South opens fire on April 12, 1861, union surrender two day later. • Casualties: one union man, one confederate horse.
Bull Run (Manassas), July 21, 1861 • Union army under Gen McDowell slams into confederates under Gen Pierre Beauregard. Roughly 30,000 each. • Virginia leader Thomas J. Jackson’s division held “like a stonewall.” • Union army fell apart, and ran.
Lincoln reevaluates strategy: Navy blockade, gain control of Mississippi R. (Scott’s anaconda plan), New army mustered to invade VA. George McClellan appt’ed to lead army including 500,000 new volunteers • South plans to lead defensive war. Conscripts soldiers. “Rich man’s war, poor man’s fight.”
Shiloh (most brutal battle to date) April 5, 1862 • The goal: Unite General Grant and General Buell’s troops, then move south to destroy key RR lines • Confederate commander Johnston surprised Grant’s army in the morning as they made breakfast. • Ironically, Shiloh is a Hebrew word meaning peace. • Grant’s army stood its ground for a day. The “hornet’s nest” gave them that advantage.
Shiloh • Buell’s troops joined Grant during the night and the reinforcements gave the Union victory. Grant will continue to move south. • Confederate casualties 12,000 of 44,000 • Union Casualties 13,000 of 62,000 • More American’s died here than in Revolution, 1812, and Mexican War combined.
Monitor vs. Confed. Merrimack, March 9, 1862. • After: McClellan approached war like chess, emphasis on gentlemanly playing. Crushing south didn’t enter mindset • Insecure, didn’t want to fight…always preparing, never taking offensive. • Peninsula Campaign to take Richmond, VA.
Antietam: September 17, 1862(Bloodiest single day of the war) • The battle was a draw • Lee had moved the war into the north in order to gain European support and force Border States to take a stand. • Fought on the border between north and south Maryland/Virginia line. 70,000 union vs. 40,000 confed. • “Bloody lane” Use of a road as a trench backfires on both armies.
September 17, 1862 23,000 Casualties
22,726 dead, single bloodiest day of combat in American history. • Rather than push forward, McClellan waits, Lee’s forces retreat. • Replace McClellan with General Ambrose Burnside (loses Fredericksburg, replaced by Hooker who lost Chancellorsville) • Emancipation Proclamation.
Gettysburg Battle • Day 1: small group hold off Lee’s army long enough for reinforcements to arrive • Day 2: Union under General Meade, lost Cemetery Hill and Cemetery ridge, but held Little Round Top, and decided to stay to fight it out. • Fresh off victory, Lee decided to invade north • Resupply & feed troops with seized goods • Lee to PA. With 75K troops, AL ordered Hooker to attack, Hooker hesitated & was replaced w/Meade • Confed near Gettysburg, scouts heard of shoe supply • 2 Union brigades on high ground NW of Gettysburg, fired on approaching shoe raiders • Day 3: Pickett’s Charge: ordered 15K men to rush Union at Cemetery Ridge, ½ survived, no 2nd attack • Lee retreated, Meade could not pursue (bad weather)
Results: Union: 23,000 casualties, Confed 20,000 • Gettysburg Address-dedication of cemetery- statement of democratic ideals: • Turning point: Union won, but failed to end the war • Lincoln “Our Army held the war in the hollow of their hand and they would not close it.”