Civil War Notes Review

Civil War Study Notes

Secession of Southern States

  • Final event leading to secession: Lincoln's victory in the 1860 election.

    • First state to secede: South Carolina on December 20, 1860.

    • Other states that followed:

    • Mississippi - January 9, 1861

    • Florida - January 10, 1861

    • Alabama - January 11, 1861

    • Georgia - January 19, 1861

    • Louisiana - January 26, 1861

    • Texas - February 1, 1861

  • Process of secession:

    • Southern states held special secession conventions with delegates elected by white male voters.

    • Delegates voted on secession; most states had majority votes in favor.

Arguments for and against Secession

  • Theory of Secession:

    • The Constitution is a compact among states; states had not relinquished all their sovereignty to the federal government.

    • The 10th amendment emphasizes that powers not granted to the government remain with the states or the people.

    • States could withdraw from the Union if they believed their rights were violated.

  • Right to Revolution:

    • Inspired by the spirit of 1776; the colonies revolted for their rights; Southern states argued they could do the same.

  • Arguments against Secession:

    • Viewed as unconstitutional, potentially leading to anarchy if states could leave arbitrarily.

    • The Constitution established a permanent union; the Supremacy Clause asserts federal laws are the highest laws of the land.

    • Revolution was justifiable only in extreme cases, and the South's cause was not just, as they fought to preserve slavery.

Formation of the Confederate States of America (CSA)

  • Formation and Capital:

    • Seven states met to form the CSA, with the original capital in Montgomery, Alabama.

  • Constitution of the CSA:

    • Guaranteed slavery in both states and territories.

    • Strengthened state power while limiting federal government power.

  • Leadership:

    • Jefferson Davis was selected as the first president, and Alex Stephens was the vice president, aiming to encourage the Upper South to join.

Federal Property Seizures After Secession

  • States claimed federal property within their borders, leading to tensions.

  • Buchanan's inaction left Lincoln with only Fort Sumter in federal control.

Lincoln’s Dilemma with Fort Sumter

  • Situation at Fort Sumter: Surrounded by Confederate forces; its commander refused to surrender.

  • Lincoln’s Belief: Viewed secession as illegal and faced a quandary regarding federal property support without igniting war.

  • Solution: Lincoln chose to send food and supplies to Fort Sumter, not weapons or troops, hoping to assert federal authority without provoking war or appearing weak.

  • Reaction from Davis: Decided to attack the fort anyway, which led to the outbreak of the Civil War on April 12, 1861.

  • Outcome of Fort Sumter: The U.S. surrendered; the only casualty was a Confederate horse.

Reactions to Fort Sumter

  • Northerners and Lincoln's Call to Arms:

    • Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to support the Union.

    • Enthusiastic response from the North.

  • Response from Slave States:

    • Eight slave states remained in the Union, including four that would later join the CSA, moving the capital to Richmond, Virginia.

Border States

  • Definition: Slave states that remained in the Union.

    • States: Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri.

  • Significance: Both Union and CSA aimed to win these states to avoid losing critical resources and support.

  • State Responses:

    • Delaware: Remained in the Union.

    • Maryland: Placed under martial law to protect Washington, D.C.

    • Kentucky: Unionists in control declared neutrality; Confederate government formed in exile.

    • Missouri: Similar to Kentucky, faced guerilla warfare and a conflicting governmental structure.

Formation of West Virginia

  • Western Virginia seceded from Virginia after its secession due to social and economic differences, joining the Union.

Indian Territory and the Southwest

  • Union support to pro-Union Native Americans in Indian Territory.

    • CSA attempted to seize and control the resource-rich Southwest but failed to establish control completely.

Distinct Nature of the Civil War

  • Characterization:

    • Brothers' War: Thousands of families had members on opposite sides of the conflict.

    • Modern War: Introduction of new technologies changing strategies and communication.

    • Total War: Warfare unrestricted toward combatants and civilians, with an emphasis on total military and economic resources.

Deadliness of the Civil War

  • Factors:

    • Introduction of rifles and Minie balls, which increased casualty rates.

    • Lack of advancement in medical knowledge despite high technological advancements led to higher infection rates, contributing to approximately 620,000 deaths, making it the deadliest conflict in U.S. history.

  • Transportation and Communication:

    • Railroads allowed rapid troop and supply movements (predominantly Northern advantage).

    • Telegraph enabled immediate communication across military leaders and government.

    • Photographs documented battles, changing public perception of war.

North vs. South Advantages and Strategies

  • Strengths of North (Union):

    • Large population (22 million), established Navy.

    • Economic dominion with 90% industry and 80% capital.

    • Strong central government for mobilization.

  • Strengths of South (Confederacy):

    • Better initial military leadership and a population experienced in outdoor skills.

    • High morale due to the defense of home territory.

    • Long, difficult-to-blockade coastline but lacking in resources and government strength.

War Objectives

  • North's Goals:

    • Conquer and restore the Union.

  • South's Goals:

    • Defend territory and outlast Northern will.

Military and Economic Strategies

  • North's Anaconda Plan:

    • Blockade Southern ports, control the Mississippi River, and capture Richmond.

  • South's War of Attrition:

    • Defensive strategy, wearing down Northern resolve until they withdraw, with limited offensive actions taken opportunistically.

Financing the War

  • Northern Financing: Primarily through war bonds.

  • Southern Financing: Through printing paper money, leading to hyperinflation and significant economic challenges due to a lack of liquid capital.

Key Battles of the Civil War

1st Battle of Bull Run

  • Combatants: Union - McDowell vs. Confederacy - Beauregard, Jackson.

  • Outcome: Confederate victory; significant casualties; the notion of a quick war was destroyed.

Seven Days Battle

  • Combatants: Union - McClellan vs. Confederacy - Lee.

  • Outcome: Confederate victory; established Lee’s prominence as a military leader.

Antietam

  • Combatants: Union - McClellan vs. Confederacy - Lee.

  • Notable: Bloodiest single day in the war; led to McClellan's demotion and inspired the Emancipation Proclamation.

Fredericksburg

  • Combatants: Union - Burnside vs. Confederacy - Lee.

  • Outcome: Heavy Union casualties in frontal assaults; Confederate victory emphasizing the difficulties faced by the Union.

Ft. Henry/Donelson

  • Combatants: Union - Grant vs. Confederacy.

  • Outcome: Significant Union victory, allowing greater control over the Mississippi River region.

Shiloh

  • Outcome: Heavy casualties for both sides; Confederate retreat.

Vicksburg

  • Significance: Strategic win; control of the Mississippi River.

Overland Campaign

  • Grant vs. Lee; marked by significant bloodiness without breakthroughs.

Appomattox Court House

  • Final Surrender: Lee's army surrendered to Grant, ending the war.

Key Figures of the Civil War

  • Abraham Lincoln: President, navigated the Union through the Civil War.

  • Jefferson Davis: President of the Confederacy.

  • Stonewall Jackson: Confederate general known for his military tactics.

  • George McClellan: Union general noted for caution, later ran for president.

  • Ulysses S. Grant: Union general known for aggressive strategies; led to military victory.

  • Robert E. Lee: Leading Confederate general with significant battlefield success.

Emancipation Proclamation

  • Issuance: Announced on September 22, 1862; effective January 1, 1863.

  • Reasons: To strengthen Union resolve; require a clear victory.

  • Constitutional Challenges:

    • Slavery not prohibited by the Constitution, viewed as property.

  • Consequences:

    • Shifted Union goals toward liberation, led to increased troop enlistments.

African American Contributions

  • African Americans played crucial roles as soldiers and laborers following the Emancipation Proclamation, despite initial reluctance from the military.

  • The 54th Massachusetts Regiment served notably in combat, under significant challenges.

Civil War Homefront Issues

  • Suspension of Habeas Corpus: Undermined civil rights for perceived disloyalty.

  • Copperheads: Southern sympathizers in the North advocating for peace, seen as threats by Union supporters.

  • Draft Riots: Demonstrated social tensions; discontent over conscription and inequities in exemption regulations.

Aftermath of the Civil War

  • Political, social, and economic changes: Established a national banking system, increased industrialization, and culminated in the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery.

Conclusion

  • Reasons for Northern Victory: Combination of superior industrial resources, military strategy, and leadership under Grant contributed to the Union's ultimate success in the Civil War.

Lincoln's Assassination and Legacy

  • Conspiracy Behind Assassination: Larger network involved planning aimed at destabilizing the government post-war.

  • Significance: Marked a profound moment for national healing and remembrance of sacrifice.