The Civil War: Key Events and Figures

Election of Lincoln and Southern Secession

  • Lincoln elected President in 1860 without winning any Southern states.
  • South Carolina secedes from the Union, recalling their earlier attempt to nullify the Tariff of Abominations.
  • Lincoln's stance: He won't free slaves where slavery exists but opposes slavery's expansion.
  • Southern perception: They believe in an abolitionist conspiracy against slavery.
  • December 1860: South Carolina secedes; other Deep South states follow.
  • Confederate capital: Montgomery, Alabama.
  • Jefferson Davis: Elected as Confederate president.

Fort Sumter and the Start of the Civil War

  • Issue: Federal army holds Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina.
  • Lincoln's dilemma: Decide whether to resupply or abandon Fort Sumter.
  • Lincoln's action: He informs South Carolina he's sending provisions only, not arms.
  • South Carolina's response: Governor sends General Beauregard to take the fort.
  • April 12, 1861: Beauregard's forces shell Fort Sumter.
  • Federal forces surrender: The Civil War officially begins at Fort Sumter.

Border States' Decision

  • Border states (green on the map): They haven't decided whether to secede.
  • These states are slave-holding but have internal controversy over secession.
  • Fort Sumter's fall forces a decision.
  • Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas: Choose to join the Confederacy.
  • Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, Delaware: Slave-holding states that remain in the Union w/some internal Confederate support.
  • West Virginia: Broke off from Virginia to stay in the Union due to opposition to secession.
  • Robert E. Lee: A Virginian who opposed secession. He declined command of federal forces, unable to fight against his home state of Virginia.

Resources and Advantages

  • Initial assessment: On paper, the North seems more likely to win.
  • Analogy: Similar to how Great Britain seemed likely to win the American Revolution.
  • Southern perspective: They see it as a war for Southern independence and believe they can win.
  • Northern advantages:
    • Greater population: More men for the military.
    • Manufacturing: They have robust production capabilities for supplies (clothing, arms).
    • Railroads: 70% of the nation's railroads are in the North, facilitating troop and supply movement.
  • Southern advantages:
    • Agriculture: Food and draft animals are available.
    • Cotton: Their cash crop has economic importance.
    • Defensive war: They are fighting on familiar territory.
  • Union disadvantages:
    • War of conquest: Fighting in Southern territory.
    • Supply lines: Vulnerable and require foraging.
    • Cash crops: Tobacco and Cotton are primary crops vs. consumable crops for the troops.
  • Initial military strength: The South initially has enough men for a reasonable fight.

Challenges of War

  • Confederate challenges: Creating a new nation from scratch (government offices, constitution, post office).
  • Union challenges: Losing military officers and government clerks to the Confederacy.

Leaders

  • Abraham Lincoln:
    • President of the US, a farmer from Indiana/Illinois.
    • Often underestimated as uneducated, but he was self-taught and wise.
    • He took decisive action without congressional approval after Fort Sumter (expanding the army/navy, suspending habeas corpus, ordering a naval blockade, approving military expenditures).
  • Jefferson Davis:
    • President of the Confederacy, grew up in comfortable circumstances on a cotton plantation.
    • Attended Transylvania University and West Point.
    • Fought in the Mexican War and served as US Senator and Secretary of War.
    • He was an aristocratic Southerner with significant experience.

Early Expectations and the First Battle of Bull Run

  • Public sentiment: Both sides expect a quick victory.
  • Short-term enlistments: Both presidents initially call for short-term enlistments.
  • Capitals: The Confederate capital moves to Richmond, Virginia, close to Washington DC.
  • Southern confidence: They believe they are better warriors due to their outdoor upbringing.
  • First Battle of Bull Run: General McDowell (Union) vs. General PGT Beauregard (Confederacy).
  • Battle naming: The North names battles after nearby bodies of water (Bull Run), while the South names them after nearby towns (Manassas).
  • The battle: Fought at Manassas Junction/Bull Run Creek. It was a messy, disorganized affair.
  • Civilian spectators: People from Washington DC came to watch the battle like a show.
  • Stonewall Jackson: General Thomas Jackson earns his nickname at this battle for holding his position.
  • Confederate victory: The federal army retreats to Washington DC.
  • Consequences: Poor training is evident on both sides, and short-term enlistments are ending.
  • Leadership change: Lincoln replaces General McDowell with General George McClellan due to McDowell's loss. McClellan proves overly cautious