Civil War: Emancipation Proclamation and Key Events

Battle of Antietam

  • Also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg.

    • Dual naming arises from different geographical perspectives.

    • Marked as a significant Union victory.

Emancipation Proclamation

  • Issued on September 22, 1862, by President Abraham Lincoln.

  • It provided a 100-day warning to states in rebellion to end their rebellion by January 1, 1863, or their slaves would be freed.

  • This brought about debate among historians about Lincoln’s authority to free slaves in states that had left the Union.

    • Historians are divided on whether Lincoln had the authority to free South Carolina's slaves.

  • Resulted in a mass escape of enslaved individuals toward Union troops, who were now more accessible.

  • Shifted the Civil War’s focus from preservation of the Union to the elimination of slavery.

    • Gave hope to enslaved people and deterred foreign nations, like England and France, from supporting the Confederacy due to their history of abolishing slavery.

Legal Freedom of Slaves

  • Enslaved individuals wouldn't be legally free until the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment in December 1865.

    • Some states had already abolished slavery by this time.

Contribution of African Americans

  • Initially assigned non-combat roles in the Union Army, but later evidence of their capability in battle emerged (e.g., 54th Massachusetts at Fort Wagner).

  • Approximately 380,000 African Americans served in the Union Army, with about 38,000 deaths during the Civil War.

Women in the Civil War

  • Significant contributions made by women:

    • Dorothea Dix: First superintendent of nurses for the US Army.

    • Clara Barton: Founder of the Red Cross during the Civil War.

    • Sally Tompkins: Known as the "Angel of Mercy" for her care of Confederate soldiers.

Republican Wartime Legislation

  • With Confederate states seceding, the Union’s government had a Republican majority and enacted significant legislation:

    • Protective tariffs established.

    • Investment in railroads and infrastructure.

    • Homestead Act (1862): Provided 60 acres of land to individuals for farming.

    • Legal Tender Act (1862): Issued $450 million in paper money.

    • Internal Revenue Act (1862): Introduced excise tax on goods and professions.

Confederate Government Challenges

  • Led by Jefferson Davis, faced challenges from states asserting their own rights:

    • States often disregarded Confederate mandates.

    • Each state prioritized feeding its soldiers over providing resources to the Confederate army.

  • $425 for a barrel of flour exemplifying extreme wartime inflation.

Major Battles of 1863

  • Battle of Chancellorsville:

    • Robert E. Lee's forces achieved victory over Joe Hooker’s Union army.

    • Significant loss of General Stonewall Jackson.

  • Battle of Gettysburg:

    • A crucial Union victory that prevented a Confederate invasion of the North.

    • Union forces, led by Joshua Chamberlain, defended Little Round Top.

    • Resulted in about 50,000 Confederate casualties and 23,000 Union casualties.

  • Siege of Vicksburg:

    • Lasted from May 18 to July 4, ending in Union victory.

    • Grant's tactics of cutting off resources led to significant suffering for those inside Vicksburg.

    • Vicksburg did not celebrate July 4 for 81 years after the surrender.

Confederate Leadership Perspectives

  • Despite defeats, Confederate leaders hoped for a favorable negotiation due to historical precedents of Southern benefits from previous compromises.

  • Example illustrative of misplaced confidence that despite losing, negotiations would grant favorable outcomes.