Election of 1860

Campaign a four-way split

Republicans defeat the splintered Democrat party, and the

“Do Nothing” party who wanted to compromise

• Causes: – Sumter still belongs to USA,

South looks to take it because it’s in their territory

• Course: – Lincoln sends “Provisions” to

the fort via the sea

– April 21, 1861: the South opens fire on the fort, 34-hour onslaught

– The fort surrenders to the South

• Consequences:– The North brought to fighting

– The South just as shocked, submits to war

– Confederacy takes Sumter

Fort Sumter

Battle of Bull Run

Causes: (1861) President Abe Lincoln thought he could squash Southern resistance

and secession with a poorly trained, inexperienced army. He hoped it would prove Northern superiority, and even potentially lead to the fall of Richmond, the Confederate capitol. Everyone thought this would be the easy end to the quick, painless struggle with the South. Northern popularity pushed for hasty action.

Course: After a single summer of training, 30,000 Union men marched to Bull Run, Manassas, VA, where there was presumably a small force of Confederates. Upon arrival though, reinforcements for the Confederate army showed up, and green Union soldiers scattered and fled in total disarray and confusion.

Consequences: The Confederacy grew more cocky, military enlistment dropped as many Southerners felt for sure that the war had been decided. It was a wake up call to the Union, as it defeated the idea of an easy, quick war. Northern commitment to war, and also to the abolitionist cause increased greatly.

First Iron Clad Naval Battle

• South was mad about Naval Blockade.– Southerners reconditioned USS

Merrimack to CSS Virginia.• When completed, the Virginia

easily destroyed two Union warships in Chesapeake Bay.

• The USS Monitor (the Union’s ironclad) traveled to Chesapeake Bay to protect frigates such as the USS Minnesota.– For four hours both ironclads

fought each other to a stalemate.

• A few months later the Confederates purposely destroyed the CSS Virginia to keep it from the advancing Union forces.

• The era of building wooden warships ended with this battle.– The Confederate States and the

Union only built ironclads to enhance their navy’s defensive strengths.

The Battle of Antietam

Confederate 'Bloody Lane'

ConsequencesLee Couldn't invade MarylandNo Military VictoryLincoln Emancipates slaves in rebelling statesBritish + French back off from any recognitions

Bloodiest Day in American History12,401 Casualties (U)10,316 Casualties (C)

CausesLee invades Maryland and is stopped by McClellan

CourseUnion mowing down ConfederatesAround Dunker (church) into sunken roadBurnside (Union) Captures BridgeAP Hill (Con.) from Harper’s Ferry surprise attackFight to a stalemate

Battle of Gettysburg

July 1-3, 1863Three days before the attack, Lincoln replaced General George G Hooker with General George G. Meade.

Course:

Confederates saw the Union cavalry of General George Buford, told their commander, General A.P. Hill, who sent troop to investigate.

92,000 Union vs. 76,000 Rebels

The Union held the lines despite heavy casualties.

The failure of General George Pickett's charge broke the back of the charge and cause.

The Confederates retreated to Virginia.

Consequences:

Strategic: the war lasted 2 more years.

Diplomatic: Refusal of peace mission past Union lines= two more years.

Diplomatic: Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address framed war as means to uphold the values of liberty.

51,000 dead, wounded, captured or missing.

Siege of

VicksburgGoal:

Capture the Confederate fort

located on the MI River to

“sever the spinal cord of the

Confederacy

Course:

Ulysses S. Grant was in

charge of the Union forces

and laid siege to Vicksburg

for 2 ½ months

In July 4, 1863 the fort fell to

Union forces

Effects:

Union got control of the MI

River

Split South into 2

Cut off the South’s trade

routes

Sherman’s March to the SeaCauses:

The success of the Vicksburg campaign

Consequences:

Destroyed the South’s potential and morale

$100 million destroyed

Capture of Savannah the South’s main ammunition stronghold

Destruction of 300 miles of railroad

Forces Lee to sue for peace

Course:

Series of battles through the South including:

Atlanta

Savannah

Appomattox Courthouse

As Grant and Sherman

wage total war, South loses its ability and will to fight

Civil War ended at Appomattox courthouse