Turning Points of the Civil War: A Quick Review

1. The End of the Civil War Ch 16-5

2. Turning Points of the War…A Quick Review • The Battle of Antietam • Northern forces stop Confederate momentum by stopping their advance on Washington in this bloody battle. The loss of life greatly damages the south and weakens their chances of quick European intervention

3. Turning Points of the War…A Quick Review • Emancipation Proclamation • Though not actually freeing slaves, this document did broadcast that slaves would be free in the South if the North wins the war, thereby making the Confederates look as though they’re fighting only to keep their slaves. This makes France and England withdraw their support of the South

4. Keep an Eye Out for These Turning Points! Gettysburg Sherman’s March to the Sea

5. The War Drags On Both sides share feelings of hope and frustration throughout the war In 1862-1863, the South grew confident that victory was again in their grasp This feeling was chiefly due to the leadership of Robert E. Lee, general of the unbeatable Army of Northern Virginia

6. Southern Victories • Fredericksburg • Lee’s army meets Burnside’s army near a Virginia town • Burnside had the larger army, but the Confederates were so well entrenched that Burnside’s troops could not overtake them • Devastated by the loss of life his troops sustained, Burnside resigns

7. Southern Victories • Chancellorsville • General Hooker, Burnside’s replacement, is attacked by Lee • Lee boldly divides his army to surround his enemy, and wins the battle • However, heavy casualties were taken by the South, including the death of “Stonewall” Jackson

8. Gettysburg • Despite heavy losses, Lee decides to invade the North • Lincoln realizes that, instead of destroying Richmond, Lee’s army needed to be destroyed • Why? • When Hooker refuses to attack, Lincoln fires and replaces him with George Meade

9. Gettysburg • The two armies met by accident near the small town of Gettysburg, PA • Southern army had invaded the town looking for shoes • Northerners initially pushed out of the town by South, but establish strong defensive position

10. Pickett’s Charge • On the third day of Gettysburg, Lee launches a controversial attack • 13,000 soldiers rush to the Yankee front line, hoping to penetrate their defenses • Instead, the soldiers made easy pickings for Union soldiers • Barely half would survive the charge • Lee realizes his plan has failed, and retreats to VA

11. Gettysburg • Major Turning Point • Stops Southern advances • Greatly weakens Confederate army • George Meade proud of victory • Lincoln upset that once again, Rebels allowed to escape instead of being captured once and for all

12. View from Cemetery Ridge

14. Vicksburg, MS The battle of Vicksburg took place during the battle of Gettysburg It was the last city the North needed to seize to control the Mississippi River The Union wins, and the Mississippi becomes a tool for the North until the war would end two years later

15. The Gettysburg Address • Two minute speech where Lincoln beautifully expressed what the war had come to mean: • It is for the living to make sure the dead had not died in vain • That the United States will experience freedom • And that the government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall continue on

16. Ulysses S. Grant • Grant was not a typical war hero • Small, unkempt • Drinking problem • However, impressed Lincoln for one main reason: • While other generals made excuses to not attack the enemy, Grant would always pursue a retreating army and followed Lincoln’s orders to the letter

17. Grant’s Plan • To end the war, Grant came up with following plan: • In the west, Sherman would advance to Georgia and crush the major Southern city in Atlanta • The Army of the Potomac would advance to Virginia and destroy Lee’s army

18. Virginia Battles • Three battles ensure near Richmond, Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, and Cold Harbor • The Confederates holds on, but Grant does not relent in attacking • Grant called a butcher for sacrificing more than 60,000 men • Lincoln supports him • Grant’s assault last nine months

19. 1864 As Grant attacked Virginia, other changes were occurring Lincoln nearly loses reelection. Thanks to last-minute Union victories, he keeps office David Farragut seizes the Gulf of Mexico, giving the Union complete control General Sherman captures Atlanta

20. The March to the Sea • Atlanta is a major population center for the South • What little industry the South had was located there • Sherman engages in Total War, destroying homes, food, and people throughout Atlanta • He advances his troops across GA to the Atlantic, burning and destroying everything they come across

22. Victory Grant continues his assault on the Army of Northern Virginia Hunger, sickness, death, and desertion take their toll Richmond is taken on April 2, 1865 Lee’s army continues to fight, hoping to stop Sherman’s advance, but realizes the situation was hopeless

23. Victory • At Appomattox Court House, Grant meets Lee face to face • Grant allows all soldiers to return home after surrendering their weapons • North Carolina, which was never overtaken, surrenders days later • Jefferson Davis is captured there

24. Results of the War • The Civil War was the most devastating conflict in American history • Billions of dollars in damage, mostly in South • 600,000 soldiers died • Federal government now strengthened, and federalism proven to be more powerful than state’s rights • Millions of African-Americans freed