Civil War Study Notes

Opposing Sides

Chapter 9 - Section 1

1. Overview of the Civil War
  • At the start of the Civil War, both the North and South possessed distinct advantages and disadvantages.
  • Expectations were high for a quick resolution to the conflict.
  • Contrary to these expectations, the Civil War evolved into a prolonged, bloody, and contentious struggle where neither side could secure an easy victory.
2. Key Advantages of Each Side
  • Discussion Prompt: Turn and talk to a partner regarding the two important advantages held by the North and the South.
3. The Opposing Sides
  • 1/3 of total officers resigned to serve in the Confederacy.
  • 7/8 of military colleges were located in the South, providing them with a plethora of trained officers.
  • The South had a significant number of military officers compared to the North.
  • The North contributed 3/4 of the Navy, possessing most of the Navy's warships and shipyards, with all but 2 under Union control.
  • The North had notable economic advantages, including:
      - A larger population.
      - Control of 90% of total manufacturing output which encompassed iron and other war-essential equipment.
      - More railroad lines, facilitating efficient movement of armies and supplies.
4. Financing the War
  • Both sides required financial resources to fund troops, supplies, and other war necessities.
  • The North had control over the U.S. treasury, enabling access to tariff revenues.
  • A sentiment of fear regarding the North's potential loss resulted in many withdrawing gold and silver, causing banks to struggle in buying government bonds.
  • In response, Congress passed the Legal Tender Act, which created a national currency and issued paper money known as greenbacks.
5. Financial Position of the Confederacy
  • The financial situation of the Confederacy was dire:
      - Most planters were heavily in debt and unable to purchase bonds.
      - Attempts to raise funds through trade taxes were undermined by the Union's blockade of Southern ports.
      - The Confederacy resorted to printing paper money to meet its expenses, which led to rapid inflation.
      - Southern inflation reached an astronomical rate of 9,000%, while Northern inflation peaked at 80%.
6. Discussing Inflation
  • Discussion Prompt: Consider what a 9,000% inflation looks like in practical terms.
  • Example of Inflation:
      - An item costing $1 in 1861 escalated to roughly $92 by April 1865.
      - Monthly inflation averaged approximately 26% during the conflict.
7. Specific Examples of Rising Prices
  • Eggs:
      - In 1864, Mary Chesnut recorded that five dozen eggs cost $20, signifying a willingness to pay between $20 and $50 for almost any item as money lost value dramatically.
  • General Goods:
      - By 1865, everyday items, such as a pair of boots, increased in price from just a few dollars to hundreds of Confederate dollars.
  • Gold vs. Paper Currency:
      - At the war's outset, a Confederate dollar was valued at 90 cents in gold, but by the end, it had plummeted to 1.7 cents.
8. Economic Mismanagement by the Confederacy
  • The Confederacy financed over 60% of its military expenses through the printing of excessive amounts of currency, exemplifying classic inflationary issues with too much money in relation to available goods.
  • The Union blockade led to significant shortages, compounding the financial crisis and ultimately leading to social upheaval, including bread riots in Richmond in 1863.
9. Party Politics in the North
  • Abe Lincoln dealt with divisions within the Republican Party, particularly among members who were abolitionists.
  • Lincoln’s primary goal was to preserve the Union, even at the cost of maintaining slavery temporarily.
  • Cooperation with Democrats was essential for Lincoln:
      - War Democrats: Wanted to uphold the Union but opposed the abolition of slavery.
      - Peace Democrats: Advocated for reunification through negotiation instead of military force.
10. Conscription
  • Definition: Conscription refers to the mandatory enlistment of individuals into military service.
  • The draft has been utilized in various American conflicts including the Civil War, WWI, WWII, the Cold War, Korean War, and Vietnam.
  • The practice of conscription ended in 1973, though the draft system remains in place, requiring all men to register within 30 days of turning 18.
11. Legislative and Social Reaction to Conscription
  • In 1862, Congress passed a militia law to compel conscription in cases where voluntary recruitment efforts proved insufficient.
  • A significant number of Democrats opposed this conscription law, leading to riots in various Democratic strongholds.
  • As a result of the draft, up to 20% of drafted individuals refused to report.
  • Wealthy individuals could pay $300 for someone else to serve in their place, highlighting tensions and divides across socioeconomic lines – expressed in the saying "rich man's war, poor man's fight".
12. The Draft Announcement
  • The draft was announced to begin on September 17, 1863, in the 14th Congressional District, specifying a total required enlistment of 619 individuals, along with a percentage added for exemptions across various sub-districts.
13. Habeas Corpus
  • Definition: Habeas Corpus is a legal principle that protects individuals from arbitrary detention without trial.
  • This right requires authorities to charge individuals with a crime or release them from custody.
  • Notably, Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus, allowing for detention without trial for those suspected of supporting the Confederacy or resisting the draft.
14. Weaknesses in the Southern Government
  • Jefferson Davis, the Confederate President, faced numerous political challenges, attributed partly to the Confederate Constitution's emphasis on states' rights at the expense of a strong central government.
  • There was considerable opposition to Davis, particularly concerning conscription and martial law.
15. Diplomatic Challenges Faced by Both Sides
  • The Civil War created complex dilemmas for European nations:
      - The U.S. sought to deter European interference and expected adherence to its blockade of Southern ports.
      - Confederate leaders actively pursued recognition from Britain for diplomatic relations and military support, particularly due to the dependency of British and French textile industries on Southern cotton.
      - Many Southern suppliers withheld cotton sales until formal recognition was granted by foreign powers.
16. Further Diplomatic Attempts by the Confederacy
  • Informal meetings occurred between British and French representatives and the Confederacy.
      - The French government promised to recognize the Confederacy upon a similar action by the British.
      - British authorities proceeded cautiously, reluctant to risk war with the United States, waiting for the Confederacy to secure decisive victories on the battlefield before offering recognition.
  • Despite attempts to send negotiators to Europe, the Confederacy failed to secure significant support from foreign nations.
17. The Nature of the Civil War: The First Modern War
  • The Civil War departed from small, highly disciplined military forces with limited goals.
  • Characterized instead by large, often untrained armies primarily comprised of civilian volunteers requiring vast supplies and equipment.
  • Military Technology:
      - The introduction of the Conoidal Bullet enabled greater accuracy over longer distances, allowing defenders to inflict significant damage from fortifications.
      - The strategy of attrition involved wearing down the opponent over time through sustained pressure.
18. Military Strategies Adopted by Both Sides
  • Jefferson Davis's Vision:
      - Davis envisioned a military strategy akin to that of the Revolutionary War, advocating for careful battle selection, tactical retreats, and avoiding unnecessary risk of heavy losses.
      - A defensive strategy aimed at encouraging Northern fatigue and resource depletion, leading to potential negotiations for peace.
      - Response to popular outrage saw Southern commanders often opting to go on the offensive, frequently incurring high casualties.
19. The Anaconda Plan
  • An early strategic framework devised by the Union to constrict the resources of the Confederacy:
      - Blockade Southern ports on the Atlantic to restrict trade and supply.
      - Isolate the Confederacy from European assistance and commercial trade.
      - Cut off vital supplies, equipment, financial resources, food, and cotton from reaching Confederate territories.
      - Exhaust Southern resources systematically, pushing toward the inevitable surrender.
      - Control the Mississippi River using Union naval forces to split the eastern and western territories of the Confederacy, effectively limiting logistical operations and support.
      - Ensure that shipping routes to and from the interior were disrupted, further hampering the Confederacy’s war efforts.