US His ch14
CAUSES OF THE WAR
Different Economies:
The North was industrialized, focusing on manufacturing and commerce.
The South relied heavily on agriculture, particularly cotton, with an economy built on slave labor.
Different Culture:
Cultural differences emerged from these economic disparities, shaping distinct social norms and values in each region.
Different Climate/Geography:
The North had a harsher climate, less conducive to large-scale farming.
The South's warmer climate and fertile land were ideal for growing cash crops using slave labor.
Slavery:
The institution of slavery was central to the Southern economy and way of life.
This clashed with the growing abolitionist movement and sentiments in the North.
Different Infrastructure:
The North had a more developed infrastructure, including extensive railroads and telecommunication systems.
The South's infrastructure was less developed, impacting its ability to move troops and supplies efficiently during the war.
SOUTHERN PERSPECTIVE ON SECESSION
Why Did Southerners Feel Secession Necessary?
Infringements Upon Southern Freedom: Federal policies infringing on states' rights and autonomy, particularly regarding slavery.
Belief in Their Right to Own Slaves: Viewing slavery as a constitutional right, vital for economic prosperity.
Fear of Racial Conflict: Fear that emancipation would lead to widespread racial conflict and uprisings.
NORTHERN PERSPECTIVE ON SECESSION
What Northerners Believed:
Legal Standing of Secession: No state had the constitutional right to unilaterally secede from the Union.
Confederate Government's Legitimacy: Blamed the Confederate government and wealthy slaveholding elite for instigating an illegal and unjustified war.
Abolition of Slavery: Initially focused on preserving the Union, many Northerners, as the war progressed, were prepared to eliminate slavery if necessary.
SECESSION OF SOUTHERN STATES
States That Seceded First:
South Carolina was the first state to secede on December 20, 1860.
It was soon followed by Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas, escalating the crisis.
Formation of the Confederacy:
These initial seceded states drafted a new governing charter, officially establishing the Confederate States of America.
Ideological Position on Racial Equality: The Confederate constitution explicitly included protections for slavery and was founded on the notion of African Americans' inequality to whites.
Leadership: Jefferson Davis, a senator from Mississippi, was appointed President of the Confederacy for a single six-year term and held line-item veto privileges.
MOTIVATIONS FOR FIGHTING
North (Yankees) Motivations:
To preserve the Union, which they saw as indivisible.
To uphold the rights and liberties fought for by their ancestors against British rule.
To protect their homeland and families.
The ideology often contrasted white equality with a prevailing perception of black inferiority, even among those fighting to end slavery.
South (Rebels) Motivations:
To protect their land, region, and distinct cultural identity.
To ensure the continued existence of white supremacy, which they believed was dependent on an inferior black population.
Non-slaveholding individuals, while forming the majority of Confederate troops, were largely motivated by local loyalties, state rights, and defending their homes rather than directly by owning slaves.
PROBLEMS FACED
Initial Unpreparedness:
Armies of untrained volunteers faced disorganization.
Private militia companies lacked uniform preparation, training, and equipment.
Civilian mindsets among soldiers complicated military discipline and effectiveness.
SCORECARD OF RESOURCES
Strengths of the North:
Superior infrastructure: Extensive railroad networks for efficient troop and supply movements.
Industrial Capacity: Access to better materials and manufacturing capabilities for sustained conflict.
Strategy: Employed the “Anaconda” strategy to blockade Southern ports and cut off resources.
Naval Supremacy: Control over waterways for trade, movement, and enforcing blockades.
International Allies: Diplomatic support.
Governmental Support: Consistent backing and funding for logistics.
Economic Advantages: Wealthier Northerners could buy their way out of military service, reflecting stability.
Soldier Provisions: Enjoyed superior diets (salt pork, dried beans, crackers, coffee, condensed milk).
Strengths of the South:
Familiarity with firearms due to hunting culture.
Experienced military officers (e.g., West Point graduates).
Slavery indirectly supported the economy, freeing more men for military service.
Military ingenuity (e.g., ironclad warships like The Virginia).
Major disadvantages: lacked international allies and suffered catastrophic currency depreciation (falling to of face value).
Increased conscription to meet growing manpower needs.
BATTLES OF THE CIVIL WAR
Details regarding specific battles were not provided but are essential for understanding the conflict's progression and outcomes.
NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM
Impact on Enslaved Individuals:
Slave owners could not fully control the information disseminated to their enslaved population; news of emancipation spread rapidly through informal communication channels, often referred to as the “grapevine telegraph.”
The number of escapees increased significantly as the war progressed, influenced by shifting military policies, Union advancements, and victories.
Military Emancipation:
Confiscation Acts: Declared enslaved individuals supporting the rebellion forfeited to Union forces.
“Contrabands” of War: Escaped slaves reaching Union lines were declared free “contrabands,” not Union property.
Union Policy: Union troops were barred from returning escaped slaves.
Lincoln's Initiatives: Lincoln initially proposed an African American homeland in the Caribbean.
Second Conscription Act: Freed slaves of disloyal masters in occupied Confederate regions.
Emancipation Proclamation: Lincoln's proclamation provided a legal framework for freeing enslaved people in Confederate territories.
Transformation Initiatives: Established “Freedman’s Village” (later Arlington National Cemetery) for newly freed individuals.
African American Enlistment: African American men were allowed to enlist and fight for the Union.
Women's Roles: Women filled wartime labor shortages in factories, nursing, and support services.
LONG TERM EFFECTS
Casualties of War:
Immense loss of life, to men, known as the “butcher bill.”
Disease and Medical Conditions:
South: higher rates of disease, poor medical treatment due to less developed infrastructure.
North: advanced medical practices, organized ambulance corps improved conditions.
Economic Impacts:
North: % inflation.
South: catastrophic % inflation, devastating economy.
Destruction of Infrastructure:
Southern territory in ruins: cities, farms, public buildings damaged.
Thousands of miles of railroad tracks destroyed.
Approximately of livestock killed.
Approximately of young white men in the South died.