The Civil War

CHAPTER 22: The Civil War

22.1 Introduction

• The cannon fire at Fort Sumter marked the beginning of the Civil War, ending a period of confusion.

• Decision to Choose Sides: The nation was divided.
    - Southern Perspective:
      - Most white Southerners chose to support the Confederacy. In early 1861, representatives from six of the seven states that had seceded formed the Confederate States of America.
      - Southerners viewed secession as a voluntary act, akin to their original joining of the Union.
      - Fighters were seen as defenders of "Southern Rights" and "Southern Independence."
    - Northern Perspective:
      - Northerners saw the war as a fight against treason. Stephen Douglas declared that there could be “no neutrals,” focusing instead on patriots versus traitors.
      - The Union was perceived as worth defending for its Constitution and Flag.

• Border States:
    - Eight slave states were caught between the Confederacy and free states. The response varied:
      - Four border states (Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina) joined the Confederacy.
      - The western counties of Virginia formed West Virginia, remaining loyal to the Union.
      - The other border states (Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri) stayed in the Union, though many citizens supported the South.

• The Civil War was not just a conflict of armies but of families and communities, leading to divided loyalties.

22.2 Preparing for War

• Lincoln's Response: After Fort Sumter, President Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to maintain the Union, while Jefferson Davis called for volunteers to defend the South.

• Expectations of Quick Victory: Both sides anticipated an early resolution to the conflict.
    - Northern Confidence: The North possessed a population of about 22 million compared to the South's 9 million.
      - Economic Advantages: 90% of the nation’s manufacturing and many banks were located in the North.
      - Geographic Advantages:
          - Greater agricultural resources (more farms).
          - Control of most iron, coal, copper, and gold resources.
          - Control of seas and a 21,000-mile railroad network facilitating troop and supply movement.

• Northern Weakness:
    - The North faced a significant military leadership problem, with one-third of its officers resigning to fight for the Confederacy.

• Southern Confidence: Southerners believed they could defend their territory effectively and win by prolonging the war, banking on northern war fatigue.
    - Strength in Defense: The vast geography of the South posed challenges for the North's invasion efforts.
    - Military Leadership: Southern military leaders, such as Robert E. Lee, significantly contributed to military strategy, despite personal conflicts over slavery and secession.

• Southern Weakness:
    - The Confederate economy could not support a prolonged conflict due to a lack of industrial resources and reliance on agriculture (e.g., cotton).
    - Trade was hampered by Union blockades.
    - Transportation issues and poor rail infrastructure impeded supply movements.

22.3 Bull Run: A Great Awakening

• Union War Strategy: Planned by Lincoln and General Winfield Scott, consisted of:
    - Step One: Surrounding the South to cut off trade.
    - Step Two: Dividing the Confederacy to prevent mutual support between regions.
    - Step Three: Capturing the Confederate capital, Richmond.
    - This strategy was dubbed the "Anaconda Plan" by journalists due to its suffocating nature.

• Battle of Bull Run (July 1861):
    - Anticipation of a swift Union victory led to a large mobilization of troops to attack Richmond.
    - Union forces marched towards Richmond but faced unexpected resistance from Confederate forces, particularly under General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson.
    - Result: The South claimed a significant victory, leading to a reconsideration of both strategy and war expectations in the North.

• Women’s Roles in the War: As men went to war, women took over family businesses and farms, became nurses, and joined military efforts in various capacities, from spies to soldiers.

22.4 Antietam: A Bloody Affair

• Union Blockade: Enacted in 1861, effectively closed Southern ports by the end of that year, hindering Confederate trade.

• Battle of Antietam (September 1862):
    - This was the bloodiest single day in American history with high casualties:
      - Union: 75,000 troops experienced about 2,100 killed.
      - Confederates: 52,000 troops suffered around 2,770 killed.
    - The Union claimed victory but the battle left both sides with heavy losses.

• Impact of New Warfare:
    - Shift to long-range combat strategies with rifles and advanced artillery.
    - Poor medical care led to many soldiers succumbing to infections and diseases rather than battle wounds, reflecting the inadequate healthcare practices of the time.

22.5 Gettysburg: A Turning Point

• Emancipation Proclamation (January 1863): Declared all slaves in Confederate states free. This act had little immediate impact but shifted the war’s ethical focus, instilling a battle for freedom.

• Draft: As man-power dwindled, both regions enacted drafts to maintain troop levels, sparking protests against the war's costs and implications.

• Battle of Gettysburg (July 1863):
    - A pivotal encounter with heavy casualties. Following the conflict, the Union achieved a decisive victory.
    - Lincoln used the opportunity to redefine the war in terms of democracy and equality in his Gettysburg Address, emphasizing the war's broader implications for the nation.

22.6 Vicksburg: A Besieged City

• Mississippi River Campaign: Control of this vital artery was crucial for the Confederacy’s logistics.
    - Union forces repeatedly shelled Vicksburg leading to its surrender on July 4, 1863, momentously splitting the Confederacy.

• Southern Hardships: Life became increasingly dire due to Union blockades and extensive destruction from battles, with many southerners facing extreme shortages and mounting frustrations.

22.7 Fort Wagner: African Americans Join the War

• African American Soldiers:
    - Recruitment allowed African Americans to enlist in significant numbers.
    - The Massachusetts 54th Regiment became renowned for its bravery despite facing discrimination and serving with less pay initially.

• Battle of Fort Wagner: Although their assault resulted in substantial losses, it showcased immense courage and altered perceptions of African American soldiers post-war.

22.8 Appomattox: Total War Brings an End

• Grant's Leadership: Transitioning to a mindset focused on total war and engagement that aimed to bring quick resolution regardless of the expense in lives (such as the Wilderness Battle).

• End of the War: Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Courthouse (April 9, 1865) marked the official end of the Civil War, with Grant offering generous surrender conditions, allowing Confederate soldiers to return home peacefully, setting a tone of reconciliation.

22.9 Chapter Summary

• The Civil War involved complex strategies, emerging technologies, and profound societal impacts, resulting in significant shifts in the national identity and population dynamics.

• Post-war reflections reveal a nation transformed by conflict, yet grappling with deeply entrenched social issues and divisions that continued beyond the war's conclusion.

This study guide captures the profound events and critical aspects of the Civil War, designed to serve as a comprehensive reference.