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I. The Coming of War and the Seizing of Freedom, 1861–1862

War Aims and Battlefield Realities

  1. Slave states protest Lincoln’s election

    • Following Lincoln's election, slave states voiced strong opposition, fearing his policies would threaten their institution of slavery.

  2. Secession convention

    • Southern states held conventions to discuss secession, ultimately resulting in several states declaring independence from the Union.

  3. Southern grievances

    • The South articulated grievances including economic disparities, political representation, and the preservation of slavery.

  4. The Confederate States of America

    • In response to discontent, the Confederate States of America was formed, beginning a new chapter in American history as a rebellion against the Union.

Continued Development of the Conflict

  1. Efforts to avert disunion

    • Compromise initiatives, such as the Crittenden Compromise, sought to prevent war but ultimately failed.

  2. The Confederacy prepares for war

    • The South began mobilizing military resources and organizing troops in anticipation of conflict.

  3. Lincoln’s assurances to the South

    • In his speeches, Lincoln attempted to reassure the Southern states that he had no intention of interfering with slavery where it already existed.

  4. Fort Sumter

    • The April 1861 attack on Fort Sumter by Confederate forces marked the formal beginning of the Civil War.

Initial Engagements and Expectations

  1. Lincoln responds to Fort Sumter attack

    • Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers, escalating tensions and forcing more states to choose sides.

  2. The Confederacy takes shape

  • New Confederate states created a functioning government and military, signaling their intent to sustain the war.

  1. Expectations for the war

  • Many both in the North and South anticipated a short conflict, underestimating the challenges ahead.

  1. Battle at Bull Run Creek

  • The first major battle of the Civil War, which shattered the illusion of a quick victory and revealed the war's brutal reality.

II. Union Policy on Black Soldiers and Black Freedom

Early Developments

  1. Free black men respond to Lincoln’s call

    • Free black men offered to enlist, showcasing their solidarity with the Union cause.

  2. Union whites rejected African Americans’ offer to join the war

    • Early recruitment policies primarily excluded African Americans from combat roles, reflecting racial prejudices.

  3. Debate over the purpose and consequences of the war

    • The war prompted discussions regarding emancipation and whether it should be a primary aim.

  4. Lincoln’s goal: preserve the Union

    • Ultimately, Lincoln stated his main aim was the preservation of the Union above all.

Emancipation and Military Policy

  1. Plan for gradual emancipation

    • The Union began to formulate plans for gradual emancipation in various territories.6

I. The Coming of War and the Seizing of Freedom, 1861–1862

War Aims and Battlefield Realities

  • Slave states protest Lincoln’s election: Following Lincoln's election, slave states voiced strong opposition, fearing his policies would threaten their institution of slavery.

  • Secession convention: Southern states held conventions to discuss secession, ultimately resulting in several states declaring independence from the Union.

  • Southern grievances: The South articulated grievances including economic disparities, political representation, and the preservation of slavery.

  • The Confederate States of America: In response to discontent, the Confederate States of America was formed, beginning a new chapter in American history as a rebellion against the Union.

Continued Development of the Conflict

  • Efforts to avert disunion: Compromise initiatives, such as the Crittenden Compromise, sought to prevent war but ultimately failed. The Crittenden Amendment proposed to reinstate the Missouri Compromise; however, Southerners rejected it.

  • The Confederacy prepares for war: The South began mobilizing military resources and organizing troops in anticipation of conflict, including taking control of southern military bases.

  • Lincoln’s assurances to the South: In his speeches, Lincoln attempted to reassure the Southern states that he had no intention of interfering with slavery where it already existed.

  • Fort Sumter: The April 1861 attack on Fort Sumter by Confederate forces marked the formal beginning of the Civil War. The Confederates fired upon Fort Sumter after South Carolina's Governor refused to vacate it. Interestingly, while this was termed a battle, only two people died from an explosion, with the only gunfire casualty being a horse.

Initial Engagements and Expectations

  • Lincoln responds to Fort Sumter attack: Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers, escalating tensions and forcing more states to choose sides.

  • The Confederacy takes shape: New Confederate states created a functioning government and military, signaling their intent to sustain the war.

  • Expectations for the war: Many both in the North and South anticipated a short conflict, underestimating the challenges ahead.

  • Battle at Bull Run Creek: The first major battle of the Civil War, which shattered the illusion of a quick victory and revealed the war's brutal reality.

II. Union Policy on Black Soldiers and Black FreedomEarly Developments

  • Free black men respond to Lincoln’s call: Free black men offered to enlist, showcasing their solidarity with the Union cause.

  • Union whites rejected African Americans’ offer to join the war: Early recruitment policies primarily excluded African Americans from combat roles, reflecting racial prejudices.

  • Debate over the purpose and consequences of the war: The war prompted discussions regarding emancipation and whether it should be a primary aim.

  • Lincoln’s goal: preserve the Union: Ultimately, Lincoln stated his main aim was the preservation of the Union above all.

Emancipation and Military Policy

  • Plan for gradual emancipation: The Union began to formulate plans for gradual emancipation in various territories.

Important Note: The overarching context of the Civil War also highlights that the North was not uniformly pro-war. Lincoln had to create a draft due to a lack of support for fighting, and this context must be understood alongside African American history during this era.