Leading to Civil War

Events that led up to and further influenced the Civil War.

Lincoln’s Presidential Career(1861-1865)

Lincoln’s Presidential Career(1861-1865)

Lincoln’s presidency would last from 1861 to 1865. Lincoln would be the first Republican president, which would falter his appeal to Southern states as they would secede from the United States to form the Confederate states.

Deep South

States within the deep south that relied heavily upon slavery for their economy(Florida, Tennessee, etc.)

Southern Plantation Owners

Wealthy landowners would lose their way of life is slavery were abolished and would defend their livelihood by supporting the Confederacy at all costs.

Lincoln’s Inaugural Address

A speech given by Lincoln in the Spring of his first year of presidency. Lincoln would explain that he would preserve the Union without ridding it of slavery, simply preventing it from spreading Westward.

Fort Sumter

Fort Sumter was the first battle of the Civil War, however, it was primarily a conflict over the fort's control between Union and Confederate forces.

Northern Advantages

The North supported a much larger, industrial population that would easily support the war effort with supplies and manpower.

Northern Disadvantages

The North struggled with poor leadership alongside strategies that often underestimated Southern resolve and resourcefulness.

Southern Advantages

The South benefited from excellent military leadership and a strong military tradition, along with fighting on familiar terrain.

Southern Disadvantages

The South struggled with an insufficient amount of supplies as well as a small population compared to the North.

Recruitment of Soldiers

Lincoln would ask for 75,000 volunteers to fight in the war to serve in the Union Army, marking the beginning of large-scale enlistment efforts. Wealthy individuals would pay around $300 for a man to go in his place.

Battle of Bull Run

The battle of Bull Run is significantly remembered as the first fighting battle between the Union and Confederacy. The South would aim to capture the Northern capital of DC and secure a quick victory. The battle would relay to the world that the war would not be quickly resolved.

Battle of Shiloh(1862)

Known as the 2nd battle of the Civil War, the battle of Shiloh would result in significant causalities from both the Union and Confederacy. The Union, now led by Ulysses S. Grant, would be attacked by the Confederacy, however, the Union would win by the following day.

Battle of Antietam

The bloodiest single-day battle within American history would result in over 23,000+ causalities. Robert E. Lee would attempt to attack the Northern capital, but would ultimately be forced to retreat.

The Emancipation Proclamation

Issued by Abraham Lincoln after the Battle of Antietam, the proclamation would declare the freedom of enslaved people within Confederate-held states and would serve as a turning point of the Civil War. The point of the decree would be to change the position of the war towards one that fought for abolition.

Women In The War

Women played a large role within the Civil War such as nurses, spies, and supporters of war efforts. Women like Clara Barton would form the Red Cross that continues to this day.

Copperheads

People who criticized Lincoln’s policies, deemed the war as unnecessary, and furthermore were Democrats within the North.