Chapter 21 (1861-1865)
The Furnace of Civil War
My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. A. Lincoln 1862
I. Bull Run Ends the “Ninety-Day War”
P. 481
Purpose of the War: Preserve the Union
Expectation 90 day -war. Wrong. “Battle of Bull Run” – South Wins.
II. “Tardy George” McClellan & the Peninsula Campaign P. 483
A) McClellan (N. General) Loved by his troops. (Young Napoleon) Reluctant to fight.
Will run for President (as a Democrat) against Lincoln in 1864
1) Lee defeats him at Peninsula Campaign (Richmond)
III. War at Sea
P. 485
A) Blockade – 1st ports, then whole South. England did not violate.
“Ultimate destination” doctrine –US would seize ships on the high seas if they had war materials – arguing they must be bound for the South. England acquiesced.
B) Iron Clads. Merrimac (CSS Virginia) vs. Monitor (North)
IV. Pivital Point: Antietam (MD) -- 1862
P.487
A) McClellan fights Lee to a draw
1. Emancipation Proclamation: Slaves in the South are to be free (not slaves in the border states) It creates a moral purpose for the war. Constitutional?
A) 13th Amendment – 1865 actually abolishes slavery
2. Significance: England and France about to recognize Confederacy as an independent country – they withhold.
V. Blacks Battle Bondage
P. 490
A) Enlistment -- Navy allowed African-Americans (AA). Later the army in Segregated Units. (after Emancipation Proclamation).
1. Reprisal. High death count.
VI. Lee’s Last Lunge at Gettysburg
P.492
A) Lincoln goes through numerous generals. McClellan (2xs), Pope, Burnside,
Hooker, Meade (Gettysburg), then Grant & Sherman
B) Pickett’s Charge – Lee loses battle; perhaps war here.
C) Gettysburg Address – Consecrates the battle; See document packet
VII. War in the West
P.494
A) Ulysses S. Grant “Unconditional Surrender” “The Butcher”
Divides south in half through the Mississippi
VIII. Sherman scorches Georgia
P.496
A) William Tecumseh Sherman “War is hell”
Divides south in half west to east burning a 60 mile path. Burns Atlanta to the ground. Wrecks supplies, food, etc.
IX. Election of 1864 Politics of War
P.499
A) Northern Democrats Divided (Douglas dies after start of the war)
1) War Democrats —Support War-effort (Andrew Johnson)
2) Peace Democrats — Want peace (George McClellan)
3) Copperheads -- Oppose war; Favor South; Obstructionists
a) Vallandigham (OH)—Lincoln banishes him to the South, but he escapes to Canada
B) Election of 1864
P.500
1) Republicans + War Democrats =Union Party
Pres. Lincoln (R) + VP Andrew Johnson (D)
2) George McClellan (D)
3) “Bayonet Vote” Soldiers furloughed to vote for Abe.
4) Sherman’s military victories help Abe
X. Grant outlasts Lee
P.502
A) Appomattox Courthouse – Lee surrenders to Grant.
Generous terms. Southerners keep horses.
“The war is over; the rebels are our countrymen again”
1) Grant wins war of attrition.
XI. Martyrdom of Lincoln
P.504
A) Lincoln assassinated 5 days after war ends.
Result: 1) A. Johnson (D) becomes President
2) Radical Republicans (mostly abolitionists) Want to punish the
South and grant African Americans rights. After Lincoln dies they gain complete control over the Republican party.
XII. War Cost; Aftermath of the Nightmare
P.508
1) 600K Dead
2) $15 billion
3) States Rights & Secession dies
4) Federal Power Expands
a) Note Constitutional Amendments 1-12 limit federal power while
13-15 (Civil War Amendments) expand federal power.
b) Increased power of taxation
c) Increased national banking system
d) Conscription
5) Slavery Ends
3