American Yawp Chapter 14

I. Introduction

• The American Civil War was the bloodiest in U.S. history, with approximately 750,000 deaths.

• It impacted nearly every American, with unprecedented military mobilization.

• Northern soldiers aimed to preserve the Union, while the war transformed into a fight against slavery.

• African Americans, both enslaved and free, played a crucial role in pushing for emancipation.

• Women entered vital wartime roles amidst a shortage of military-age men.

II. The Election of 1860 and Secession

• The 1860 presidential election was chaotic, reflecting deep divisions within the Democratic Party over slavery.

• Northern Democrats supported Senator Stephen Douglas; Southern Democrats favored John C. Breckinridge.

• The Republican Party nominated Abraham Lincoln, who won with less than 40% of the popular vote.

• Post-election, South Carolina swiftly seceded; other Southern states followed suit due to fears over Lincoln's policies against slavery.

• Confederate nationalism arose, fundamentally tied to the ideology of slavery.

III. A War for Union (1861–1863)

• Lincoln declared secession legally void in his inaugural address and called for troops after the attack on Fort Sumter.

• Eleven states ultimately seceded, forming the Confederacy.

• The Union adopted the Anaconda Plan to suffocate Confederate resources.

• The border states (Delaware, Maryland, Missouri, Kentucky) remained with the Union, crucial for resources and strategic positioning.

IV. War for Emancipation (1863–1865)

• The enlistment of black soldiers in the Union Army became essential after the Emancipation Proclamation.

• African-American soldiers faced discrimination but significantly contributed to the war effort and shifted social dynamics.

• The fall of Vicksburg divided the Confederacy and was crucial for Union control of the Mississippi River.

V. Conclusion

• The Civil War ended legal slavery but left unanswered questions about national unity and the role of African Americans in society.

• Many former slaves struggled with post-war realities, marking the beginning of new battles for equality and rights.