Civil War: Key Events, Strategies, and Political Causes

The Republican Party

Made up of northern Whigs, independent Democrats, and Free-Soilers, initially based on the principle to exclude slavery from the western territories.

Abraham Lincoln

Worked to repeal the Kansas-Nebraska Act while opposing the introduction of slavery into any territory and believed the North needed to take a stand against slavery.

Bleeding Kansas

A period of violent conflict in Kansas over the issue of slavery, marked by two illegal governments and fighting between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions.

Civil War in the state

Both sides of Kansas began fighting over the issue of slavery, leading to significant violence.

The Sack of Lawrence

An escalation of violence in 'Bleeding Kansas' that turned into a guerrilla war between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions.

John Brown

An abolitionist who believed Christians had an obligation to fight against slavery and led violent actions against pro-slavery settlements.

Pottawatomie Creek Massacre

An event where John Brown and his sons killed men at a pro-slavery settlement, leading to a guerrilla war with 200 people killed and $2 million worth of property destroyed.

Violence in the South

Exemplified by Preston Brooks of South Carolina beating Charles Sumner of Massachusetts with a cane, which nearly killed Sumner.

Election of 1856

Characterized by the political landscape dominated by Bleeding Kansas, Bleeding Sumner, and Bully Brooks, with the Republican platform opposing the expansion of slavery.

James Buchanan

Faced three crises in his first eight months in office: the Dred Scott decision, Bleeding Kansas, and southern secession.

Dred Scott v. Sandford

A landmark Supreme Court case that ruled that African Americans could not be American citizens and that Congress had no authority to prohibit slavery in federal territories.

The Lecompton Constitution

A pro-slavery constitution proposed for Kansas that was rejected by Congress, reflecting the deep divisions over slavery.

John Brown's Raid

An attempt by abolitionist John Brown to initiate an armed slave revolt by taking over a United States arsenal at Harpers Ferry.

Election of 1860

A pivotal election that resulted in the election of Abraham Lincoln, leading to heightened tensions and eventual secession by Southern states.

Response in the South

The Southern reaction to the election of Lincoln, which included increased violence and the eventual secession of several states.

No Nothing Party

A political party that emerged in the 1850s, primarily opposing immigration and the influence of immigrants in politics.

Federal funding for a transcontinental railroad

A key component of the Republican platform during the Election of 1856, aimed at improving infrastructure and connecting the nation.

Missouri Compromise

An agreement that aimed to maintain the balance between slave and free states, which was condemned by the Republican platform.

Fugitive Slave Law

A law that mandated the return of runaway slaves to their owners, which was supported by the Democrats during the Election of 1856.

Nativism

A political policy favoring the interests of native inhabitants over those of immigrants, which the Democrats campaigned against.

Religious liberty

A principle advocated by the Democrats during the Election of 1856 to appeal to immigrant voters.

Guerrilla war

A form of irregular warfare characterized by small groups using tactics like ambushes and sabotage, as seen in Bleeding Kansas.

Pro-slavery votes

Votes cast by individuals supporting the institution of slavery, which were contested during the Bleeding Kansas conflict.

Dred Scott

A Missouri slave who sued for his freedom after being taken into Illinois and Wisconsin, where slavery was prohibited.

Supreme Court decision on Dred Scott

Ruled that Scott could not bring suit to federal courts because he was not a citizen, and African Americans were not citizens even if they were free.

5th Amendment

The government cannot deprive a person of life, liberty, or property without following fair legal procedures.

Lecompton Constitution

Called for a constitutional convention in Kansas and drew up a constitution that Kansas would enter the Union as a slave state.

Free State advocates

Boycotted the election for the Lecompton Constitution, believing it was rigged.

Buchanan's support

Supported pro-slavery legislation during the Lecompton Constitution controversy.

Violence in Kansas

Both sides resorted to violence and fraud, but a majority of people in Kansas opposed slavery.

House floor brawl of 1858

50 congressmen fought on the House floor over slavery.

Outcome of John Brown's Raid

The slave uprising did not occur, and Brown and his followers were captured.

John Brown's trial

Brown was tried for treason and sentenced to death, becoming a martyr for the anti-slavery cause.

Impact of Harpers Ferry

Convinced white southerners that they could no longer live safely within the Union.

Northern Democrats' promise

Promised to defend slavery while ensuring it would not spread to new territories.

Lincoln's position on slavery

Pledged to stop the spread of slavery to the West and promised equal rights for immigrants.

Constitutional Union Party

Called for the preservation of the Union.

Response in the South to Lincoln's election

The election was seen as a final sign of hopelessness for southerners regarding their position in the Union.

First state to secede

South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union.

States seceding before Fort Sumter

All the Deep South states and Texas seceded from the Union before Fort Sumter.

Political leadership in the South

Dominated by slaveholders.

Buchanan's response to secession

Did nothing about secession but claimed it was illegal.

Confederate States Ordinances of Secession

Focused on the defense and preservation of slavery.

Lincoln's inaugural address

Vowed to defend federal ports in the South and sought a peaceful solution.

Fort Sumter

A sea fort in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, known as the site where the first shots of the American Civil War were fired on April 12, 1861.

Primary reason for secession

The defense and preservation of slavery.

Lincoln's initial objective

To maintain the Union.

Fundamental cause of the Civil War

Slavery.

Choosing sides

Nearly everyone was forced to choose sides during the Civil War.

States joining the Confederacy

Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina joined the Confederacy after the fighting began.

West Virginia

Broke off from Virginia, formed its own state, and remained within the Union.

Slave states in the Union

Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri remained with the Union despite being slave states.

Southerners fighting against Confederacy

100,000 Southerners fought against the Confederacy.

Robert E. Lee

A well-known Confederate military general who later worked to reunite the country after the Civil War.

Men serving in the war

3 million men served on one side or the other during the Civil War.

Regional advantages of the North

The North had 23 states and 22 million people compared to the South's 11 states and 9 million people.

Confederacy mobilization

The Confederacy mobilized 80% of its white men due to the North's larger population.

North's military strategy

The North continually attacked the Confederacy until it could no longer replenish its army's population.

North's industrial development

The North blockaded the South, making it difficult for the South to ship or receive goods.

South's advantages

The South fought on its home turf with deep trenches and well-fortified defensive positions.

South's hope

The South hoped that by holding out long enough, the North would press its government to end the war.

South's military leadership

The South had more experienced officers and better horsemanship.

First Bull Run

The first major battle of the Civil War where the Confederates were dug into a defensive position.

Outcome of First Bull Run

Union forces initially advanced but were forced into a panicked retreat after Confederate reinforcements arrived.

Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson

Renowned Confederate general known for exceptional military leadership and tactical genius during the Civil War.

Union's 'anaconda plan'

A strategy to 'squeeze' the Confederacy into submission by applying constant pressure on Richmond and controlling key rivers.

Confederate strategy

To hold the Union off and stalemate the war until Northern opinions soured, forcing Lincoln into negotiations.

Recognition from allies

The Confederacy sought recognition from Britain and France for military supplies but was ultimately unsuccessful.

Ulysses S. Grant

Union General who led the United States to victory in the American Civil War and served two terms as president focusing on Reconstruction and civil rights.

Immigrants in the Union Army

20% of the Union army was made up of immigrants.

Average age of Civil War soldiers

The average age of a soldier in the Civil War was 26.

Irish-born soldiers

210,000 Irish-born men served, 170,000 on the Union side.

Reasons immigrants fought

Immigrants fought for belief in the union, steady pay, and extra food.

Draft requirements

All men between the ages of 18-35 were required to serve for 3 years.

Exemptions from the draft (South)

Planters with more than 20 slaves were exempted, election officials, and those who paid the government $500.

Exemptions from the draft (North)

Federal and state office holders and those who could pay $300 to the government were exempt.

Impact of the draft

Left poor men on both sides to carry the burden of the war.

Motivations for fighting

They felt compelled by duty, honor, and patriotism.

Volunteer soldiers

Many of the people who fought were volunteers.

Northerners' beliefs

Many Northerners thought they had a noble cause to maintain the Union and free the slaves.

Southerners' beliefs

Southerners thought they were fighting for independence, to protect their homes, and to protect slavery.

Divided families

Lincoln's wife's brother fought for the Confederacy.

Daily life of soldiers

Most were farmers, and ⅓ of Confederate soldiers could neither read nor write.

Enslaved African Americans

Took advantage of wartime confusion to run away, engaging in sabotage, or joining in the fighting.

William Quantrill

A Confederate guerrilla leader infamous for leading brutal raids against Unionists, notably the 1863 raid on Lawrence, Kansas.

Jayhawkers

Anti-slavery, irregular Union forces from Kansas who engaged in guerrilla warfare, raiding pro-slavery areas in Missouri.

Stand Watie

Of Oklahoma, put together a regime for the Confederacy called the Cherokee Mounted Rifles.

Ft. Henry

Captured by Ulysses S. Grant.

Ft. Donelson

Captured by Ulysses S. Grant.

Nashville

The Union took control of Nashville.

Shiloh

A battle where the Union army held a strong defensive position and launched a successful counterattack, resulting in a Union victory.

New Orleans

The first major Confederate city captured, surrendered on April 28 after a continuous bombardment from the Union fleet.

Perryville

The Union won a strategic victory at the Battle of Perryville, forcing the Confederates to retreat and abandon their campaign.