Election of 1860 Campaign a four-way split Republicans defeat the splintered Democrat party, and the Do Nothing party who wanted to compromise
Fort Sumter 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
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 Causes Lee invades Maryland and is stopped by McClellan Course Union mowing down Confederates Around Dunker (church) into sunken road Burnside (Union) Captures Bridge AP Hill (Con.) from Harper s Ferry surprise attack Fight to a stalemate Consequences Lee Couldn't invade Maryland No Military Victory Lincoln Emancipates slaves in rebelling states British + French back off from any recognitions Bloodiest Day in American History 12,401 Casualties (U) 10,316 Casualties (C) Confederate 'Bloody Lane'
Battle of Gettysburg July 1-3, 1863 Three days before the attack, Lincoln replaced General George G Hooker with General George G. Meade. Course: 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. 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.
Siege of Vicksburg Goal: 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 Sea Causes: The success of the Vicksburg campaign Consequences: Destroyed the South s potential and morale $100 million destroyed Course: Series of battles through the South including: Atlanta Savannah Capture of Savannah the South s main ammunition stronghold Destruction of 300 miles of railroad Forces Lee to sue for peace
Appomattox Courthouse As Grant and Sherman wage total war, South loses its ability and will to fight Civil War ended at Appomattox courthouse