“Before the nation was restored-and the slaves freed At last-the American people would endure four years

of anguish and bloodshed and Lincoln would face tortuous trials of leadership such as have been visited

by few presidents”

Pages 434-450

The Menace of Secession• Is secession practical?

– geographic boundaries?– National debt– Splitting territories

• delighted Europe– Weakened republic– W. Hem. Ripe for conquer

• What M. Doctrine?

Fort Sumter

Fort Sumter

• Lincoln’s Choices …

1. Supply fort– Likely ignite war

2. nothing …– legitimize Confederacy– Embolden the cause– Weak President

•Problem …–Limited Supplies

Fort SumterFort Sumter• Response …

– Send provisions

• Outcome …– S.C. - act of aggression– Fires on Fort

• Significance …– South fires opening shots– Treason!

• Prior - some northerners willing to let South go

– Northern “patriotism”• Lincoln calls for 75,000 volunteers

Border StatesBorder StatesBorder StatesBorder States

• Importance …1. MD, KY, MO = double manufacturing

– Horses & mules

2. Ohio River (N. of KY/WV)3. Cumberland & Tn Rivers connect deep south

– Grain, gunpowder, iron

Lincoln’s StanceLincoln’s Stance

• Problem …– northern racism– Can’t Be a war over slavery

• Solution …– A war for “Union”

• keep border states in

• However …– If it’s a war for union, does the South have the

right of independence?• Eng / Fr free to support independence?

Confederate Balance of PowerConfederate Balance of Power

Advantages

1. Defensive war• Win by not losing

2. Leadership• Lincoln’s 1st choice!

3. Frontier/Farmers• Fighters!

4. Winning can offset manufact.

Disadvantages

1. Limited supply lines

2. Economy• Greatest weakness!

• ¼ of national wealth• ¼ of RR• Limited Navy• Population

• 9 million South• 3.5 million slaves

• 22 million North• Immigration

Immigrants as % of State

Populationin 1860

Immigrants as % of State

Populationin 1860

RR Lines 1860

RR Lines 1860

Resources: N & SResources: N & S

The Fall of “King Cotton”The Fall of “King Cotton”

• Monarchies …– Hated democracy– Sympathized w/ semi-feudal South– 75% of cotton imports– Could provide

• $, Supplies, Navy!

European Working class …– U.T.C.– K.C. too good during pre-war years

• Surpluses• N. confiscation & export• GB Blockade running = possible N. grain boycott

Diplomacy Averts WarDiplomacy Averts War

• Problems w/ GB …1. Trent Affair (1861) …

• Union warship stops Brit frigate– two Confederate diplomats

• Brits prepare for war– Slow communication allows tempers to simmer– Lincoln releases … “One war at a time”

2. Un-neutral ship building (1862)– Alabama

• Built & manned by Brits• Commanded by Conf.s

– Raided Union merchants

– Ultimately …• Brits see it could come back to haunt them

A critical time for A critical time for LincolnLincoln

A critical time for A critical time for LincolnLincoln

Davis Davis vs. vs.

LincolnLincoln

Davis• Created for States’ Rights!

– states want rights

• Stubborn• Nervous disorders

Lincoln• Est. gov’t!• $ strong• Foreign recognition• Simple man appeal

Lincoln & The ConstitutionLincoln & The Constitution

• Lets just say He’s a Liberal interpreter1. W/o Congressional approval …

• Blockade• Increased army• Appropriated money (private citizens)

• Suspended writ of H.C.– Could arrest anti-unionists

2. “Supervised” voting in Border States

3. Arrested newspaper editors

Volunteers & DrafteesVolunteers & Draftees

• North …– Pre-63’ volunteers– Post-63’ federal conscription

• Rich advantages– Hire replacements– Buy out for $300

• Pro-Democratic N.Y. (Anti-black irish)– Riots & bloodshed

– Ultimately …• 90% of Union army is volunteer

Volunteers & DrafteesVolunteers & Draftees

• South …– Less population

• starts draft in 62’• Ages 17-50

– Another “rich man’s war”• Slaveholders (20+) could be exempted

Economics of WarEconomics of War• N. financing …

1. Excise taxes (tobacco/liquor)2. Income tax3. Morrill Tariff (1861)

• Increase up to 10%• revenue and protective

– Republican party / business

4. Printed $450 million in greenbacks5. War bonds6. National Banking System (1863)

• Landmark! / National currency• 1st since Jackson’s bank of 36’

• Ultimately …– N. economy emerges stronger than pre-war

Economics of WarEconomics of War• S. Financing …

1. Limited customs duties (Blockade)

2. Bonds3. Taxes (States’ rightsers balked)

4. Printed bluebacks• Runaway inflation!• Blueback worth 1. 6 cents at war’s end

• Ultimately …– S. economy devastated