The Civil War The Two Sides: Chapter 13, Section 1 Differences in economic, political, and social beliefs and practices can lead to division within a nation and have lasting consequences. The Union and the Confederacy prepared for war.
Comparing North and South Main idea: Both the North and the South had strengths and weaknesses that helped determine their military strategies. Many families were divided by the war, fighting on either side, neither side imagining that war would cost the price of so many lives Hundreds of thousands killed in battle Driscoll Family
Border States By February 1861, seven states had left the Union, joining Confederacy After Fort Sumter and Lincoln s call for troops, four more states joined Confederacy, bringing much needed supplies/soldiers with them Confederate capital Richmond, Virginia Only 100 miles from DC Four border states (slave states that remained in the Union) were divided over who to support Teetered on brink of secession Each had strategic locations Loss of border states would be damaging to the North
Border States
Border States Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, Delaware MO could control part of Miss R. & routes to the West KY controlled Ohio River Delaware too close to Philadelphia in the North MD, most important border state: too close to new capital of Richmond, vital railroads, DC in same state If MD seceded, the North s government would be surrounded Became real threat when mob attacked Baltimore, burning bridges and cutting telegraph lines isolating capital
Remaining with the Union Lincoln responded boldly Suspended some constitutional rights Had people arrested who supported slavery Result of actions Border states remained in Union Many citizen of those states joined armies in South
Strengths and Weaknesses Both sides had advantages and disadvantages, how they used them would determine outcome of war Northern advantages: Larger population More industry/resources Better banking (to raise money for war) More efficient transportation (ships and railway) Abraham Lincoln (dedication and intellect led the North) Northern disadvantages: Bringing Southern states back into the Union Invade, occupy, AND subdue millions of hostile people Afraid history would repeat itself Revolution when smaller, weaker colonies defeated Great Britain
Strengths and Weaknesses Southern advantages: Home court advantage Their land, homes, way of life Better military leadership Jefferson Davis, Confederate President West Point grad and experienced soldier As were MANY other Southerners Southern disadvantages: Smaller population Few factories for weapons Produces less than half as much food as North Less than half the railroads and fewer trains Difficulty delivering food, weapons, supplies to troops Belief of states rights:individual states refused to give Confederate government sufficient power
War Aims and Strategy North and South had different goals North = bring Southern states back to Union, later, end slavery South = win recognition as independent nation, allowing preservation of lifestyle (i.e. slavery) Union strategy three main components Blockade the South, preventing supplies from entering and cotton (to make money) from leaving Gain control of Mississippi River to cut supply lines Take control of Confederate capital of Richmond Confederate defensive strategy Defend homeland, hold onto territory until North tired of war Expected Britain/France would intervene by pressuring North to give up Often switched it up, took the offensive by attacking, moving North to threaten DC
1. Why were they called border states? 2. What advantages and disadvantages did each side possess?
American People at War Main idea: Soldiers in the Civil War came from every region, and each side expected an early victory. Civil War more than just state battle Brother vs. brother Parents vs. children Neighbor vs. neighbor
American Againstfelt American Leaders/families division from war Mary Todd Lincoln (wife of Abe) had several family members fight in Confederate army KY Senator Crittenden, had two sons as generals on either side Schoolmates from US Military Academy at West Point Robert E. Lee (CSA), George McClellan (USA), and William Tecumseh Sherman (USA) never dreamt they would fight against one another
Who Were the Soldiers? Mainly young soldiers, many anxious to join Generally between 18-39 Average recruit 25 40% younger than 21 Soldiers from every region and occupation Mostly farmers Union did not permit African Americans, at first Lincoln s early terms asked for 90 days of enlistment, but became much longer (4 years) By summer of 1861 Confederate army (rebels) 112,000 soldiers 850,000 total Union army (yankees) 187,000 soldiers 2.1 million total Less than 200,000 African American and 10,000 Hispanic soldiers
False Hope At the start, each side suspected early victory, with both sides full of confidence Leaders had different ideas General Sherman accurately predicted a lengthy war Became clear from first battle on
1. Which difference between the North and the South was the greatest? Why? 2. What advantages might soldiers who grew up on a farm have over those who grew up in the city? 3. Which side had the larger fighting force? 4. Why were the border states important to the North and the South? 5. Why was the Civil War especially difficult for families?