CIVIL WAR CH.14 The Disunion of the United State of America.

CIVIL WARCH.14

The Disunion of the United State of America

Why did it come this???“The real issue in this controversy- the one

pressing upon every mind- is the sentiment on the part of one class that looks upon the institution of slavery as wrong, and of another that does not look upon it as wrong.”

-Lincoln 1858

Four main causes for war1)Slavery(As a growing moral issue in the North, versus its defense

and expansion in the South)2) Constitutional Disputes(Over the nature of the federal Union and states’

rights)3) Economic Differences(Between the industrializing North and the agricultural

South over such issues as tariffs, banking, and internal improvements)

4) Political Blunders and Extremism(On both sides, which some historians conclude resulted in an

unnecessary war.)

Withdrawal of the South South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida,

Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas.

And the War begins… Seceding states seized federal property,

forts, arsenals, governments offices in their boundaries.

But couldn’t seize two forts (Fort Sumter and Fort Pickens)

Problem with Fort Sumter Fort Sumter was running out of supplies Lincoln sends food to the Fort.

Confederates must decide what to do about this food. What do they do?

Fort Sumter Southern guns fire on April 12, 1861 and

officially start the Civil War.

Significance of Shots at Fort Sumter

Upper South states join the Confederacy(Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and

Arkansas)

Must preserve the Border States

Four slave states remain in the Union(Delaware, Maryland, Missouri, and

Kentucky)

Lincoln felt keeping these states out of the Confederacy was essential.

*Possibly why Lincoln held off on emancipation of slaves for a long time”

North vs. the SouthWho has the Advantage?

North v. South Population Industry Transportation Materials Communication Navy

Only had to hold on

More spirited support

Better Military leaders

Better knowledge of the land.

Less traveling

NORTHERN UNIONTheir perspective in the Civil War

Republican Economic PolicyGoes Unchallenged

Morrill Tariff Act (1861)-Raised tariff rates to increase revenue and

protect American manufacturers.

The Homestead Act (1862)-Promoted settlement of the Great Plains by

offering 60 parcels of 160 acres of public land free to whatever person or family would farm the land for at least 5 years.

Republican Economic PolicyGoes Unchallenged

Morrill Land Grant Act (1862)-Encouraged states to use the sale of federal

land grants to maintain agricultural and technical colleges.

Pacific Railway Act (1862)-Authorized the building of a

transcontinental railroad to link California and western territories with the eastern states.

(Union Pacific Railroad Company, Central Pacific)

Financing the War National Bank Acts of 1863-1864-Created a new national banking system. New or existing banks could join if they were

willing to invest 1/3 of their capital. Helped created unified national bank

notes

Financing the WarHow to pay for the war?

-Levying taxes- (levied the 1st income tax)

-Issuing paper currency (greenbacks)-Worth less than a gold dollar because it was backed by the good faith and credit of the government.

-Borrowing-War bonds or loans from the American people. *First example of mass financing a war in US history*Most used way to finance the war.

Raising the Union ArmiesOver 2 million men served the Union in the war.

Started with volunteers of 16,000*Thought it would be a short and easy war*

1863- Congress passed a national draft law called the Conscription Act

-Could get out of the draft if you found a replacement or paid $300.

-Draft riots- Immigrants, laborers, and Democrats opposed the war and draft (Peace Democrats or Copperheads). New York City riots started

Lincoln the PresidentControversial decisions by LincolnWar Powers of the President

Sent troops into battle without asking Congress. Called it an insurrection

Increased the size of the regular army without receiving legislative authority.

Made the naval blockade of the South.

Lincoln the President Democrats were upset that agriculture

was losing out to industry in the Northwest.

Lincoln ordered the military to arrest civilian dissenters

Suspended Habeas Corpus (The right of an arrested person to a speedy trial.)

-All persons who discouraged enlistments or were disloyal would be subject to Martial Law.

Lincoln the President Clement L. Vallandigham (Copperhead)-

Sent out of the Union to the Confederacy for treason.

Lincoln defied the Supreme Court order for him to release an imprisoned Maryland secessionist leader. Lincoln ignored Taney.

Election of 1864 Republicans hadn’t done well in 1862 Called themselves the Union Party to get more

support. Lincoln v. George B. McClellan (called for peace)

Lincoln won 212 electoral votes but only took 55% popular.

Politics of Emancipation Radicals (Thaddeus Stevens, Charles

Sumner, Benjamin Wade) ConservativesLincoln was cautious of emancipation. 1861 Congress passed the Confiscation

Act-All slaves used for “insurrectionary”

purposes would be considered freed. Abolished slavery in the District of

Columbia

Emancipation Proclamation Slowly the North began to accept emancipation and that it was

part of the fight in the war.

Radicals increased influence in Republican Party.

Sep 22, 1862 Union victory at Antietam, Lincoln used his war powers to issue an executive order freeing all slaves in the Confederacy.

January 1, 1863- Formally signed the Emancipation Proclamation

Why just in the Confederacy??? **Proclamation significant because it made it clear the war

was being fought to preserve the Union and end slavery.

African Americans & Union Cause

Emancipated blacks lined up to join the Union

Usually given awful and menial jobs

War and Economic Development

War improved the economy of the North. Loss of farm labor led to further

technological advancements in farming. Railroads improved.

Prices rose because of inflation and wages lowered.

Women, Nursing, and the War Far more women go into nursing. Women are forced to help in the war, at home,

on the farm, or get a job. *Independence of women increases

because of the war.*

US Sanitary Commission- Led female nurses onto the battlefields.

Sanitation improves in this war, but a majority (2 times as man) of men still die from disease and infection.

SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY

Confederacy moves their capital

Once the other southern states secede, the Confederacy move their capital to Richmond, Virginia.

Confederate Government Confederate Constitution(almost

identical to the Constitution of the US)Exceptions:1)Acknowledged the sovereignty of

individual states. 2) Sanctioned slavery in all states3) 6 year presidential terms

Davis as President Unsuccessful Cautious to use his power. No formal political parties in the Confederacy

but there was a lot of dissension

* Backcountry- poor whites generally refused to recognize the Confederate government and sometimes would fight for the Union.

Money and Manpower Financing the war was almost impossible

for the Confederacy. Small and unstable banking system. Most wealth was in land and slaves.

Financing the WarSolutions to pay for the war

Tax- Not everyone would pay Borrowing- issued bonds but gave out so many the

public lost faith and quit buying. Borrowing overseas with cotton as collateral didn’t

work either.

*Made paper currency*- $1.5 Billion (double the Union) and no uniform currency like the Union

*Creates insane inflation (Union experienced 80% inflation while the Confederacy had 9,000%)

Manpower Called for volunteers 1862- Conscription Act- All white males 18-35.

-Had to get a substitute to avoid the draft. Repealed in 1863- Opposition from poor whites

Plantation owners of 20 or more could be exempt from fighting.

“It’s a rich man’s war but a poor man’s fight”

States’ Rights vs. Centralization Fear of centralization often kept the

South from making decisions that could help win the war.

Wouldn’t let Davis use Martial Law or suspend Habeas Corpus

Confederate government ironically did use many centralization techniques.

Economic and Social Effects of the War

Cut off southern planters from the Northern Markets.

Cotton overseas dropped significantly Ag and Industry decreased in the South Most of the fighting was in the South -Destroys railroads, farmland, plantations.

*Northern Naval blockade- South had massive shortages*

Economic and Social Effects of the War

Doctors had to leave local hospitals and go to war.

Food riots took place. Inflation was insane. Southern women had to control the

plantations Fear of slave riots during the war.

The Commanders Lincoln- Most important Union military

commander. Wanted to destroy Confederate armies not get

their territory.Generals for Union were awful

-General Winfield Scott was not prepared for the Civil War

-George McClellan- Too sluggish, fired, then re-hired, then fired again.

-William W. Halleck- Poor strategist.*Ulysses S. Grant- Very good and willing to do

whatever to win.

The CommandersConfederacy

Davis had professional experience in battle.

*Makes most of the decisions* Made General Robert E. Lee his military

adviser.General Braxton Bragg- Not much help.

The Role of Sea Power Union dominated in naval power. Blockades and assisting the Union armies in field

operations.

Confederates made moves to stop the blockade. Used an old Union frigate (Merrimac) and made it

into and ironclad and named it (Virginia) Virginia and the Monitor (Union ironclad)

battle but Confederacy can’t break the blockade.

*Ends the use of wooden ships*

Europe and the Disunited States

King Cotton Diplomacy-South thought foreign nations would

support them because they needed their cotton.

Poor in Britain and France supported Union

Aristocracy supported Confederacy-Britain is able to adjust without the South. -No one would join the South unless they

looked likely to win.

Trent Affair Britain and France being neutral upset the US

Confederate diplomats James Mason and John Slidell went on an English ship the Trent to negotiate with England.

Charles Wilkes captured them without permission and arrested them.

British demanded the release of them. Lincoln apologized and sent them back. Confederacy also bought ships from British

(Alabama, Florida, & Shenandoah).