Causes of the Civil War
A. Economic and Social differences between the North and the South:
The South had a warmer climate than the North, which made the cultivation of different crops easier there. The people living there were further spread out than the Northern regions. They were also very seperate in what they produced. The South produced more agriculture, whilst the North was more manufacturing. The North was more heavily populated with the people living closer together, as well as more immigrants flooding in. The South continued to keep their usual social class system, which wasn't agreeing with the ideals that were beginning to take over the Northern areas. Most of the Northern population lived in urban and suburban areas, while only about 1/10 of the Southern population lived in the few urban cities that existed there.
B. State versus Federal Rights
State versus Federal Rights had been an issue in the US since the ratification of the Constitution. The Consitution had been ratified with a Bill of Rights to satisfy the Anti-Federalists, who feared that the US executive branch would be too similar to a king. However, the problem rose again in the 1820s and 1830s over whether slavery should be a federal or state issue when dealing with the new territories in the west. The Missouri Compromise temporarily fixed this problem, but each time a new state was to enter the Union it would an upset balance of power between the North and the South. The South wanted heavy states' rights because they feared that if there was too heavy of Federal power, then slavery would be quickly abolished. They also worried about unequal representation in the Senate because the North could abolish slavery.
C. The fight between Slave and Non-Slave State Proponents
As America expanded westward, the question that had risen was over whether the new territories would slave states or free states. In 1846, the Wilmot Proviso was suggested, which would make all of the new territories free states, but was obviously shot down because of the South's opposition to unequal representation. The Compromise of 1850 set out to equal the balance between the North and the South. It also created the Fugitive Slave Law, which angered the North greatly. The Kansas-Nebraska Act also caused much debate because it allowed Kansas and Nebraska's slave status to be decided by popular sovereignty, but the Missouri Border Ruffians caused the vote to shift after they flooded into Kansas. Bleeding Kansas thusly occurred. The situation was not only violent within the states, but also was occuring in the Senate when Preston Brooks beat Charles Sumner on the head with a cane.
D. Growth of the Abolition Movement
As the time grew closer and closer to the breaking out of war, the Northerners were becoming more and more sympathetic of the slaves. They began to strongly disagree with the actions of the South, who thought that they were doing the slaves good by teaching them the ways of Christianity. Several things that caused the North to realize the wrongs of the South were the publishing of Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin and the Fugitive Slave Act. The Northerners were disgusted by reading Stowe's book because it really put the issue of slavery into a different mindset for them, and it made the issue seem more real.
E. Election of 1860
The election was between the Republican party and the Southern Democratic party who put forward Abraham Lincoln and Alexander Breckinridge. Before Lincoln even won the election, seven states had broken away from the Union, but Lincoln's election set forth the succession of South Carolina. The South obviously felt threatened by Lincoln's election because they believed he was anti-slavery and would made slavery a federal issue to abolish it.
The South had a warmer climate than the North, which made the cultivation of different crops easier there. The people living there were further spread out than the Northern regions. They were also very seperate in what they produced. The South produced more agriculture, whilst the North was more manufacturing. The North was more heavily populated with the people living closer together, as well as more immigrants flooding in. The South continued to keep their usual social class system, which wasn't agreeing with the ideals that were beginning to take over the Northern areas. Most of the Northern population lived in urban and suburban areas, while only about 1/10 of the Southern population lived in the few urban cities that existed there.
B. State versus Federal Rights
State versus Federal Rights had been an issue in the US since the ratification of the Constitution. The Consitution had been ratified with a Bill of Rights to satisfy the Anti-Federalists, who feared that the US executive branch would be too similar to a king. However, the problem rose again in the 1820s and 1830s over whether slavery should be a federal or state issue when dealing with the new territories in the west. The Missouri Compromise temporarily fixed this problem, but each time a new state was to enter the Union it would an upset balance of power between the North and the South. The South wanted heavy states' rights because they feared that if there was too heavy of Federal power, then slavery would be quickly abolished. They also worried about unequal representation in the Senate because the North could abolish slavery.
C. The fight between Slave and Non-Slave State Proponents
As America expanded westward, the question that had risen was over whether the new territories would slave states or free states. In 1846, the Wilmot Proviso was suggested, which would make all of the new territories free states, but was obviously shot down because of the South's opposition to unequal representation. The Compromise of 1850 set out to equal the balance between the North and the South. It also created the Fugitive Slave Law, which angered the North greatly. The Kansas-Nebraska Act also caused much debate because it allowed Kansas and Nebraska's slave status to be decided by popular sovereignty, but the Missouri Border Ruffians caused the vote to shift after they flooded into Kansas. Bleeding Kansas thusly occurred. The situation was not only violent within the states, but also was occuring in the Senate when Preston Brooks beat Charles Sumner on the head with a cane.
D. Growth of the Abolition Movement
As the time grew closer and closer to the breaking out of war, the Northerners were becoming more and more sympathetic of the slaves. They began to strongly disagree with the actions of the South, who thought that they were doing the slaves good by teaching them the ways of Christianity. Several things that caused the North to realize the wrongs of the South were the publishing of Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin and the Fugitive Slave Act. The Northerners were disgusted by reading Stowe's book because it really put the issue of slavery into a different mindset for them, and it made the issue seem more real.
E. Election of 1860
The election was between the Republican party and the Southern Democratic party who put forward Abraham Lincoln and Alexander Breckinridge. Before Lincoln even won the election, seven states had broken away from the Union, but Lincoln's election set forth the succession of South Carolina. The South obviously felt threatened by Lincoln's election because they believed he was anti-slavery and would made slavery a federal issue to abolish it.
John Brown's Raid
John Brown's Raid took place on 16 October 1859 in Harper's Ferry, Virginia. John Brown led his group of 21 men, 16 white and 5 black, to Virginia from Maryland via the Potomac River. Brown's goal was to capture the weapons that were stored at Harper's Ferry U.S. Arsenal and then end slavery by rescuing the slaves nearby to take into their army. They would then rebel against the Southern pro-slavery followers using the captured weapons. At the beginning of the raid, it was successful. They had captured the arsenal, armory, and rifle manufactoring plant. It was going uphill until a train was allowed to pass through to Baltimore, thusly notifying federal troops, who then surrounded the town. After leading his troops into the fire engine house near the armory, the troops stormed and Brown was severely injured.
Brown was tried and convicted for treason against the Commonwealth of Virginia. He was sentenced to death. His famous quote before his hanging goes, "I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with blood." The aftermath of John Brown's raid shows the thin line that was growing thinner and thinner between the Northern abolitionist movement and the Southern pro-slavery movement. Brown's quote foreshadows the coming war, and it also shows how adamant the North was growing against ending slavery. It made the South nervous because it showed that they were going to have to fight to keep up with their way of life, which was being strongly opposed in the North.
Brown was tried and convicted for treason against the Commonwealth of Virginia. He was sentenced to death. His famous quote before his hanging goes, "I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with blood." The aftermath of John Brown's raid shows the thin line that was growing thinner and thinner between the Northern abolitionist movement and the Southern pro-slavery movement. Brown's quote foreshadows the coming war, and it also shows how adamant the North was growing against ending slavery. It made the South nervous because it showed that they were going to have to fight to keep up with their way of life, which was being strongly opposed in the North.
First Battle of Bull Run
Date: The First Battle of Bull Run was fought on 21 July 1861 near Mannassas, Virginia.
Leaders:
Union: The Union army was led by Brigadier General Irvin McDowell.
Confederate: The Confederate army was led by Brigadier General Joseph E. Johnston and General P.G.T Beauregard.
Number of Troops:
Union: There were roughly 35,000 troops in the Union army.
Confederate: In the Confederate army there were an estimated 20,000 troops.
Casualties:
Union: There were about 3,000 Union casualties in this battle.
Confederate: About 2,000 Confederate casualties took place.
Winner: The Confederate army won this battle.
Significant Facts:
1. This was the battle where Thomas J. Jackson earned the name "Stonewall Jackson" because General Bernard Bee exclaimed, "There stands Jackson like a stonewall!"
2. Many spectators from Washington, D.C. came to the battle in wagons. They had packed picnic lunches thinking the battle was going to be fun to watch.
3. The Battle of Bull Run stopped all of the belief that was war was going to last 90 days.
4. This battle was referred to as the Battle of Manassas in the Confederate states.
5. Brigadier General McDowell was apprehensive before the battle that his troops weren't ready, but Lincoln overruled him because of all of the political pressure in the north.
Leaders:
Union: The Union army was led by Brigadier General Irvin McDowell.
Confederate: The Confederate army was led by Brigadier General Joseph E. Johnston and General P.G.T Beauregard.
Number of Troops:
Union: There were roughly 35,000 troops in the Union army.
Confederate: In the Confederate army there were an estimated 20,000 troops.
Casualties:
Union: There were about 3,000 Union casualties in this battle.
Confederate: About 2,000 Confederate casualties took place.
Winner: The Confederate army won this battle.
Significant Facts:
1. This was the battle where Thomas J. Jackson earned the name "Stonewall Jackson" because General Bernard Bee exclaimed, "There stands Jackson like a stonewall!"
2. Many spectators from Washington, D.C. came to the battle in wagons. They had packed picnic lunches thinking the battle was going to be fun to watch.
3. The Battle of Bull Run stopped all of the belief that was war was going to last 90 days.
4. This battle was referred to as the Battle of Manassas in the Confederate states.
5. Brigadier General McDowell was apprehensive before the battle that his troops weren't ready, but Lincoln overruled him because of all of the political pressure in the north.
Battle of Shiloh
Date: The Battle of Shiloh was fought from 6 April to 7 April 1862.
Leaders:
Union: The Union army was led by Major General Ulysses S. Grant and Major General Don Carlos Buell.
Confederate: The Confederate army was led by General Albert Sidney Johnston and General P.G.T. Beauregard.
Number of Troops:
Union: The Union army had around 65,000 troops.
Confederate: The Confederate army had around 44,000 troops.
Casualties:
Union: There were around 13,000 Union casualties.
Confederate: There were around 10,000 Confederate casualties.
Winner: The Union won this battle.
Significant Facts:
1. The Shiloh Church was used as a hospital for many of the wounded troops.
2. The Confederate troops retreated into the city of Corinth of the second day of the battle.
3. The Confederates used older weaponry such as hunting rifles.
4. Grant earned a questionable reputation after the battle because of the many Union casualties.
5. Confederate leader Albert Johnston was killed after being shot in the back of the knee by large artillery.
Leaders:
Union: The Union army was led by Major General Ulysses S. Grant and Major General Don Carlos Buell.
Confederate: The Confederate army was led by General Albert Sidney Johnston and General P.G.T. Beauregard.
Number of Troops:
Union: The Union army had around 65,000 troops.
Confederate: The Confederate army had around 44,000 troops.
Casualties:
Union: There were around 13,000 Union casualties.
Confederate: There were around 10,000 Confederate casualties.
Winner: The Union won this battle.
Significant Facts:
1. The Shiloh Church was used as a hospital for many of the wounded troops.
2. The Confederate troops retreated into the city of Corinth of the second day of the battle.
3. The Confederates used older weaponry such as hunting rifles.
4. Grant earned a questionable reputation after the battle because of the many Union casualties.
5. Confederate leader Albert Johnston was killed after being shot in the back of the knee by large artillery.
Seven Days Battle
Date: The Seven Days Battle lasted from 25 June 1862 to 1 July 1862.
Leaders:
Union: The Union army was led by George B. McClellan.
Confederate: The Confederate army was led by Robert E. Lee.
Number of Troops:
Union: The Union had around 104,000 troops.
Confederate: The Confederates had around 92,000 troops.
Casualties:
Union: There were around 15,000 Union casualties.
Confederate: There were around 20,000 Confederate casualties.
Winner: The Confederates won this battle.
Facts:
1. Jeb Stuart alerted Lee of McClellan's retreating army from Evelington Heights.
2. McClellan sent out 2 groups to seize guns at Old Traven.
3. These 2 groups were led by Philip Kearny and Joseph Hooker.
4. Confederate General D.H. Hill wrote that the Federals' advantage at Malvern hill wasn't war, but murder.
5. The Seven Days Battle is often considered the first major turning point in the war.
Leaders:
Union: The Union army was led by George B. McClellan.
Confederate: The Confederate army was led by Robert E. Lee.
Number of Troops:
Union: The Union had around 104,000 troops.
Confederate: The Confederates had around 92,000 troops.
Casualties:
Union: There were around 15,000 Union casualties.
Confederate: There were around 20,000 Confederate casualties.
Winner: The Confederates won this battle.
Facts:
1. Jeb Stuart alerted Lee of McClellan's retreating army from Evelington Heights.
2. McClellan sent out 2 groups to seize guns at Old Traven.
3. These 2 groups were led by Philip Kearny and Joseph Hooker.
4. Confederate General D.H. Hill wrote that the Federals' advantage at Malvern hill wasn't war, but murder.
5. The Seven Days Battle is often considered the first major turning point in the war.
Antietam Creek
Date: The Battle of Antietam Creek was fought on 17 September 1862.
Leaders:
Union: The Union army was led by George B. McClellan.
Confederate: The Confederate army was led by Robert E. Lee.
Number of Troops:
Union: The Union had around 75,500 troops.
Confederate: The Confederates had around 38,000 troops.
Casualties:
Union: The Union had around 12,000 casualties.
Confederate: The Confederates had around 10,000 casualties.
Winner: The Battle of Antietam Creek was an inconclusive victory, but is also considered a strategic victory for the Union.
Facts:
1. Antietam is the bloodiest one day battle in American history because of the number of casualties ( more than 23,000).
2. The battle began at 5:30 AM that day and didn't end until 5:30 PM.
3. President Lincoln was disappointed in McClellan's performance during this battle.
4. McClellan's career was ended by President Lincoln on November 7 of that year.
5. Two Union soldiers found a copy of Lee's battle plans for that day, but McClellan failed to seize the opportunity at the right time.
Leaders:
Union: The Union army was led by George B. McClellan.
Confederate: The Confederate army was led by Robert E. Lee.
Number of Troops:
Union: The Union had around 75,500 troops.
Confederate: The Confederates had around 38,000 troops.
Casualties:
Union: The Union had around 12,000 casualties.
Confederate: The Confederates had around 10,000 casualties.
Winner: The Battle of Antietam Creek was an inconclusive victory, but is also considered a strategic victory for the Union.
Facts:
1. Antietam is the bloodiest one day battle in American history because of the number of casualties ( more than 23,000).
2. The battle began at 5:30 AM that day and didn't end until 5:30 PM.
3. President Lincoln was disappointed in McClellan's performance during this battle.
4. McClellan's career was ended by President Lincoln on November 7 of that year.
5. Two Union soldiers found a copy of Lee's battle plans for that day, but McClellan failed to seize the opportunity at the right time.
Battle of Gettysburg
Date: The Battle of Gettysburg lasted from 1 July 1863 until 3 July 1863.
Leader:
Union: The Union army was led by George G. Meade and John F. Reynolds.
Confederate: The Confederate army was led by Robert E. Lee.
Number of Troops:
Union: The Union army had around 94,000 troops.
Confederate: The Confederate army had around 72,000 troops.
Casualties:
Union: The Union army had around 23,000 casualties.
Confederate: The Confederate army had around 23,000 Casualties.
Winner: The Battle of Gettysburg was a Union victory.
Facts:
1. 63 Medals of Honor were given to Union soldiers for their actions in this battle.
2. This battle is the costliest battle of the entire Civil War.
3. Pickett's charge was not the biggest charge of the Civil War.
4. The Second Day's Battle was the costliest and largest of the Battle of Gettysburg.
5. Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill are more significant than Little Round Top, which is more popularized.
Leader:
Union: The Union army was led by George G. Meade and John F. Reynolds.
Confederate: The Confederate army was led by Robert E. Lee.
Number of Troops:
Union: The Union army had around 94,000 troops.
Confederate: The Confederate army had around 72,000 troops.
Casualties:
Union: The Union army had around 23,000 casualties.
Confederate: The Confederate army had around 23,000 Casualties.
Winner: The Battle of Gettysburg was a Union victory.
Facts:
1. 63 Medals of Honor were given to Union soldiers for their actions in this battle.
2. This battle is the costliest battle of the entire Civil War.
3. Pickett's charge was not the biggest charge of the Civil War.
4. The Second Day's Battle was the costliest and largest of the Battle of Gettysburg.
5. Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill are more significant than Little Round Top, which is more popularized.
Leaders of the Civil War
1. Ulysses S. Grant
At the age of 17, Grant attended West Point in New York. After he became a Lieutenant under the 4th U.S. Infantry. He also fought in the Mexican-American war, where he was twice awarded for bravery. During the Civil War, Grant was promoted to Colonel by Richard Yates in 1861. President Lincoln promoted Grant to Major General after the battle of Ft. Donelson because Grant forced the Confederates to surrender. He was nicknamed "Unconditional Surrender" Grant. The Vicksburg Campaign was considered Grant's highest achievement in the Civil War up to that time. After the Battle of Petersburg, Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House in 1865. Grant became President of the United States twice after his time in the Civil War. He is known for the corruption scandals that occurred during his time in the White House.
Facts:
1. Grant could not stand the sight of blood, which is ironic considering he was a war general.
2. A reporter once wrote that Grant loved cigars, which prompted him to receive over 20,000 cigars in the mail as presents.
3. Mark Twain provided Grant with enough money to write his memoirs which would feed his family.
4. Grant's real name is actually Hiram Ulysses Grant.
5. He once received a speeding ticket for riding his horse too quickly in Washington, D.C.
2. William Sherman
Sherman attended West Point in New York. After graduating from West Point, Sherman become the Second Lieutenant of the 3rd U.S. Artillery. Sherman worked administratively in California. Sherman was promoted to Captain in 1850. In 1859, he took a job of first superintendent at a military college. He was made a colonel right before the outbreak of the Civil War. His first battle was the Battle of Mannassas. Lincoln was so impressed that he promoted Sherman to Brigadier General. In the late part of the war, he captured Columbia, South Carolina, which was the largest Confederate surrender of the entire war. After the Civil War, he continued in the military eventually reaching full general status.
Facts:
1. Sherman died of phenomena at the age of 71.
2. Many of Sherman's troops called him "Uncle Billy."
3. He never had any interest in running for the Presidency.
4. He graduated from West Point as 6th in his class of 42 students.
5. He was born in Lancaster, OH.
Jefferson Davis
Davis attended school at West Point. He was a Democrat that supported States' Rights. He became a war hero whilst serving in the Mexican War. He was appointed secretary of war by President Franklin Pierce. When secession outbreaks occurred, he resigned from his position in the Senate and was chosen as the Confederate States' President in 1861. He worked hard as the Confederate President, concentrating heavily on military strategy, which hurt him in the long run. The Union armies eventually surrounded Richmond in 1865, prompting him and his family to flee further South eventually becoming captured. After the war, he was charged with treason and sentenced for 2 years in prison, after which he had a hard time finding jobs.
Facts:
1. He married the daughter of Zachary Taylor.
2. He was a senator from Mississippi before the war.
3. James K. Polk offered him to become a US General.
4. He was released from prison with a bail of $100,000.
5. He had 6 children.
Robert E. Lee
Lee also attended West Point Academy. Even with his schooling experience, Lee served 17 years as an officer in the Corps of Engineers. After the outbreak of the Mexican War, he fought earning three brevets and the rank of colonel. For three years he served as a superintendent of West Point. At the beginning of the Civil War, Lincoln offered him a position as a command position, but he declined to serve in Virginia. He accepted a general position in the Confederate Forces. He replaced Johnston as General after having served Jefferson Davis as military adviser. Lee was forced to surrender under Grant's troops at Appomattox Court House. After the war, he returned home on parole and served as president of Washington College.
Facts:
1. Lee's most famous house was called Traveller.
2. Gerald Ford restored Lee's citizenship.
3. Lee's last words were "Strike the tent!"
4. The E of his name stands for Edward.
5. Mexican War hero Winfield Scott called Lee "the greatest soldier now living".
At the age of 17, Grant attended West Point in New York. After he became a Lieutenant under the 4th U.S. Infantry. He also fought in the Mexican-American war, where he was twice awarded for bravery. During the Civil War, Grant was promoted to Colonel by Richard Yates in 1861. President Lincoln promoted Grant to Major General after the battle of Ft. Donelson because Grant forced the Confederates to surrender. He was nicknamed "Unconditional Surrender" Grant. The Vicksburg Campaign was considered Grant's highest achievement in the Civil War up to that time. After the Battle of Petersburg, Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House in 1865. Grant became President of the United States twice after his time in the Civil War. He is known for the corruption scandals that occurred during his time in the White House.
Facts:
1. Grant could not stand the sight of blood, which is ironic considering he was a war general.
2. A reporter once wrote that Grant loved cigars, which prompted him to receive over 20,000 cigars in the mail as presents.
3. Mark Twain provided Grant with enough money to write his memoirs which would feed his family.
4. Grant's real name is actually Hiram Ulysses Grant.
5. He once received a speeding ticket for riding his horse too quickly in Washington, D.C.
2. William Sherman
Sherman attended West Point in New York. After graduating from West Point, Sherman become the Second Lieutenant of the 3rd U.S. Artillery. Sherman worked administratively in California. Sherman was promoted to Captain in 1850. In 1859, he took a job of first superintendent at a military college. He was made a colonel right before the outbreak of the Civil War. His first battle was the Battle of Mannassas. Lincoln was so impressed that he promoted Sherman to Brigadier General. In the late part of the war, he captured Columbia, South Carolina, which was the largest Confederate surrender of the entire war. After the Civil War, he continued in the military eventually reaching full general status.
Facts:
1. Sherman died of phenomena at the age of 71.
2. Many of Sherman's troops called him "Uncle Billy."
3. He never had any interest in running for the Presidency.
4. He graduated from West Point as 6th in his class of 42 students.
5. He was born in Lancaster, OH.
Jefferson Davis
Davis attended school at West Point. He was a Democrat that supported States' Rights. He became a war hero whilst serving in the Mexican War. He was appointed secretary of war by President Franklin Pierce. When secession outbreaks occurred, he resigned from his position in the Senate and was chosen as the Confederate States' President in 1861. He worked hard as the Confederate President, concentrating heavily on military strategy, which hurt him in the long run. The Union armies eventually surrounded Richmond in 1865, prompting him and his family to flee further South eventually becoming captured. After the war, he was charged with treason and sentenced for 2 years in prison, after which he had a hard time finding jobs.
Facts:
1. He married the daughter of Zachary Taylor.
2. He was a senator from Mississippi before the war.
3. James K. Polk offered him to become a US General.
4. He was released from prison with a bail of $100,000.
5. He had 6 children.
Robert E. Lee
Lee also attended West Point Academy. Even with his schooling experience, Lee served 17 years as an officer in the Corps of Engineers. After the outbreak of the Mexican War, he fought earning three brevets and the rank of colonel. For three years he served as a superintendent of West Point. At the beginning of the Civil War, Lincoln offered him a position as a command position, but he declined to serve in Virginia. He accepted a general position in the Confederate Forces. He replaced Johnston as General after having served Jefferson Davis as military adviser. Lee was forced to surrender under Grant's troops at Appomattox Court House. After the war, he returned home on parole and served as president of Washington College.
Facts:
1. Lee's most famous house was called Traveller.
2. Gerald Ford restored Lee's citizenship.
3. Lee's last words were "Strike the tent!"
4. The E of his name stands for Edward.
5. Mexican War hero Winfield Scott called Lee "the greatest soldier now living".