The American Civil War (1861-1865) 

I. Prelude to War

A. The Confederate States of America
- Formed by states seceding over slavery and states' rights. Key Leaders: President Jefferson Davis, Vice President Alexander Stephens.

B. Lincoln's Journey to the Presidency
- Campaign: Visited various cities to gain support.
- The Letter from Grace Bedell: An 11-year-old suggested Lincoln grow a beard; he took her advice, highlighting his accessibility.
- Journey to Albany & Washington: Marked by enthusiasm and assassination threats. Allan Pinkerton warned of a plot, leading Lincoln to take an unannounced train.

C. Inauguration
- Buchanan's Remark: Outgoing President James Buchanan expressed relief, noting the challenges Lincoln faced.
- Inauguration Date: March 4, 1861.
- Inspiration for the Inaugural Address: Lincoln drew from documents on states' rights (Webster, Jackson, Clay, U.S. Constitution).
- Concluding Remarks: Appealed for unity and friendship, emphasizing shared bonds. "We are not enemies, but friends." Tone softened at Seward's suggestion.

II. The War Begins

A. North vs. South: Advantages and Disadvantages
- North: Larger population, more industry, extensive railroad network. Disadvantages: Initial lack of military leadership.
- South: Strong military leadership, defensive war on home territory. Disadvantages: Smaller population, limited industrial capacity.

B. Strategies
- The South's Plan: War of Attrition, aiming to wear down Union forces.
- Northern Strategy: Anaconda Plan, involving blockades, control of the Mississippi, and capturing Richmond.

C. Key Figures
- Lincoln’s Generals (Union): Henry Halleck, Winfield Scott, George McClellan, Ulysses S. Grant.
- Confederate Generals: Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, James Longstreet, Jeb Stuart, George Pickett, Nathan Bedford Forrest.

D. Opening Shots
- Fort Sumter: April 12, 1861. Confederate forces attacked, marking the start of the Civil War. No casualties during the bombardment.

III. Key Battles and Events

A. Early Battles
- First Battle of Bull Run (July 1861): Confederate victory, signaling a prolonged war.

B. Diplomatic Efforts
- The Trent Affair (Fall 1861): Near diplomatic crisis with Britain after U.S. Navy captured Confederate diplomats; Lincoln resolved it to prevent British intervention.

C. Naval Warfare
- The Battle of the Ironclads (March 1862): The Monitor vs. the Merrimac, the first battle between ironclad warships, ended in a tactical draw and accelerated ironclad construction.

D. War in the East
- Battle of Antietam (September 1862): Bloodiest single day of the war (approximately 23,000 casualties). Confederate failure dashed foreign intervention hopes and allowed Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.
- Photography of the Civil War: Mathew Brady documented the war, providing a realistic view without actual battles.

E. Emancipation Proclamation

- Lincoln's Goal: Initially to preserve the Union, evolving to include emancipation.
- Confiscation Acts (1861 & 1862): Freed slaves used for insurrectionary purposes or belonging to Confederates.
- Issuance: January 1, 1863, after Antietam. Declared slaves in Confederate-held territories free, preventing foreign support for the Confederacy.
- 13th Amendment: Passed by Congress in 1864-1865, ratified December 6, 1865, abolishing slavery nationwide.

F. African American Soldiers
- Recruitment: Approximately 180,000 African American soldiers, including the 54th Massachusetts, comprised 10% of the Union Army and were crucial to victory.

G. Wartime Legislation
- Key Acts: 1st Income Tax, Morrill Tariff Act (1861), Homestead Act, Morrill Land Grant Act (1862), Pacific Railway Act, National Banking Acts (1863). These shaped the nation's economic and social landscape.

H. Constitutional Issues
- Lincoln's Suspension of Habeas Corpus (1862): Imprisoned approximately 13,000 people, expanding executive power.
- Martial Law (1862): Declared in some areas.

IV. Turning Points

A. War in the West
- Battle of Vicksburg (July 1863): Grant's siege led to Union control of the Mississippi River, cutting the Confederacy in two.

B. Battle of Gettysburg (July 1863)
- Casualties: Bloodiest battle of the war. Primitive medical treatment, with amputations common due to Minie ball bullets.
- Gettysburg Address: Lincoln's speech dedicating the Soldiers' National Cemetery, emphasizing equality, sacrifice, and the preservation of the Union: "…that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

V. Challenges and Dissension

A. The Draft
- The North Initiates the Draft (1863): Allowed substitution. Bounty Jumpers exploited the system.
- NYC Draft Riots (July 1863): Violent protests by Irish immigrants fueled by draft resentment and racial tensions.

B. Sherman's March to the Sea (1864)
- Total War: General William T. Sherman's destructive march through Georgia aimed to cripple Confederate resources and will to fight.

C. The 1864 Election
- Candidates: Abraham Lincoln (Republican/Union Party) vs. George McClellan (Democrat).
- The "Peace" Movement: Copperheads (Northern Democrats) advocated for immediate peace; prominent leader Clement Vallandigham.
- Lincoln's Victory: Re-election signaled continued support for the war effort.

VI. The End of the War

A. Final Campaigns
- The Alabama Claims: Britain paid $15.5 million to the U.S. for allowing Confederate warships to be built in British yards.

B. Surrender at Appomattox (April 9, 1865)
- Location: Wilmer McLean's house in Appomattox, Virginia.
- Terms: General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to General Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the war.

VII. Aftermath

A. Casualties: The Civil War resulted in a staggering number of casualties.

B. The Washington Monument: Construction halted during the war, symbolizing national fragmentation; completed in 1884.

C. Union Prison Camp at Andersonville, GA: Notorious Confederate prison where thousands of Union soldiers died from harsh conditions, symbolizing the war's brutality.