Ib To What Extent Do You Agree With – Flashcards

Southern democrats opposed Douglas bc Freeport Doctrine, northern democrats liked him --> elected Douglas as candidate. Southern democrats elected John C. Breckenridge, republicans nominated Lincoln and Lincoln won (marked the official split of the union and gave SC reason to secede) Lincoln (republican) ran against split democratic party with two candidates. Republicans won North, democrats won south. Immediately after Lincoln's election some states began seceding, beginning the civil war.

Delivered as part of Lincoln's oath of office. Lincoln said that there was no need for a war, the North and South shouldn't fight, and the South could never truly secede.

South felt themselves to be a political minority, disliked result of 1860 election and Lincoln. SC unanimously voted to secede and was joined by Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas

all 7 states met in Montgomery February 1861 and created a gov with Jefferson Davis as president

Lincoln not sworn in until 1861, Buchanan stood aside while 7 states seceded, left decision to the constitution

to appease the South, prohibited slavery north and allowed slavery south of 36 degrees 30', (At heart, plan=proposal to establish Missouri Compromise). Remaining South willingly accepted Crittenden, but required Republicans to abandon their most key issues; rejected by Lincoln

Dilemma- could not send a navy to shoot way Fort Sumter, because increase hostility and lead to more southern states to secede from Union, and might lead to war; couldn't surrender Republicans disappoint in North mean that he accepted the new govt in South Lincoln executed clever political maneuver - did not abandon Fort Sumter, but did not reinforce it, sent provisions to feed "the hunger people", justified by its morality. If war happen, not his fault. If he had provoked war, many more states would have sided with the Confederates (4 states did leave the Union after war was initiated, but it could have been more) South fired at Fort Sumter April 12, 1861(first act of aggression marking the beginning of Civil War) Virginia, Arkansas, and Tennessee all seceded following this Though was not able to prevent war, able to inspire war effort and maintain stability in a time of war

Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia (slave states that hadn't seceded from Union) caused Lincoln to say main reason for war was preservation of the Union not slavery (bc he needed the border states in his favor)

Beginning of the war the North had population of 22 million people. The South had a combined population of about 9 million. This disparity reflected in the size of the armies in the field. The Union forces outnumbered the Confederates roughly two to one. (4 to 1 North population v. South non-slave population). North advanced industrial system, by 162 - manufacture almost all of its own war materials. South had to rely on EU imports throughout the war. North transportation system much better, twice as much trackage as South; During war, inferior South railroad system deteriorated, by the beginning of 1864, it almost collapsed.

South had more experienced military commanders and fought on home soil. South fighting defensive war - local support and familiarity with territory; North fought in South, thus long lines of communications with access only to south inadequate transportation system. Commitment of white population of South to war = clear and firm. In north, opinion about the war was more divided and support for it remained shaky until near the end. 1 major south victory at a contingent moment might have proved decisive by breaking North's morale. South believed Brits and French depend on cotton require those nations to intervene on side of South strong leadership (Lee and Stonewall)

potentially brought Great Britain and the United States closest to war : late 1861, Union warship capture confederate diplomats on British ship, Trent, headed to Europe --> Brits wanted apology, brit public outraged, sent troops to Canada --> Lincoln sent back confederate prisoners, resolving conflict. Mason and Slidell resumed voyage to Britain but failed in goal of diplomatic recognition.

Hoped Brit and France side with South because need cotton. But plan backfired, cotton embargo angered Europeans, and south failed to sell at time when blockade was least effective.

In 1863, Laird Rams - two Confederate warships were being built by a British shipyard - strongest ships afloat. These ships had large iron rams would have destroyed the Union blockade. Union threatened war -> London bought the ships for the Royal Navy. The British established the Dominion of Canada in 1867. It was partly designed to strengthen the Canadians against the possible vengeance of the United States. .

suspended habeas corpus (that citizens can't be held without a trial), initiated blockade, and increased size of federal army... all without congressional consent (bc the war started when congress wasn't in session)

Lincoln assumed emergency powers which allowed him to suspend Habeas Corpus. Doing so allowed him to arrest 14,000 extra people, mostly confederate citizens helping to smuggle supplies through blockades.

Newly invented, labor-saving machinery enabled the North to expand economically. Mechanical reapers (farm machines used to harvest grain) allowed men to leave the farms for the war, while increasing harvesting capacity. The Homestead Act of 1862 provided free land to many people. Morill Land Grant Act (1862): provided grants of land to states to finance the establishment of colleges.' Transcontinental Railroad completed - gov provided free public lands and generous loans to the companies building the RR.

Levy taxes, paper currency, and borrowing

North created first ever income tax and increased tariffs and excise taxes. Congress levied taxes on almost all goods and services.

made by the Washington Treasury, backed by Union credit not gold (value fluctuated, 1864 - worth 39% of gold dollar) [the confederacy made "blue-backed money]

Largest source = bonds; Citizens buy $400 mill worth of bonds, however only still a small part of gov's $2.6 bill borrowing. Most loans came from banks.

create a nat. banking system, float federal war loans, and establish a national currency. Congress passed act to resolve financial crisis emerged during the early days of the American Civil War (1861-1865).

The North's blockade severely hampered the South's economy. Transportation in the South collapsed during the Civil War. Cotton capitalism had lost out to industrial capitalism. Sherman marches destroyed South. Poverty. "Rich mans war and poor mans fight" Rich man pay out of conscription, poor man cannot. But morales did not waver cause of this. Only when battered by strong military force.

War opened up jobs that were originally occupied by men. The U.S. Sanitary Commission was organized by women to provide medical support to Union armies in the field. Women work longer, manage plantations and made supplies for war effort. W/o women support S. would have collapsed.

North treated the South prisoners better than South did for North, due to the economic struggles and supply priorities.

AGAINST: little experience. Accused of incompetence esp. in military matters. PROOF: McDowell, McClellan, Pope, McClellan again, Burnside and Hooker = uninspired. Spent more on politics than military. Tyrannical - Habeas corpus, conscription. Debatable as Great Emancipator. Union favored to win anyways. FOR: Resilience, diligence, tenacity, honesty, sense of humour, deceptive simplicity. Generally selected able men, and give them free rein. Shaped national strategy, fight to the end to preserve it. Kept in touch with public opinion. Did not alienate member of his cabinet. Mainly focused on military and race; rarely in economic. Sense of political timing and awareness of what was politically possible. As Command in chief, believed use his powers to best effect. Stretched authorities. CABINET: Sec of State : Sweard = right hand man. Sec of War: Edwin Stanton, ex democrat. once severe critic of Abe, became one of closest advisor. Departments performed well, worked hard.

AGAINST: inability to relate with colleague - fought with military commanders and politicians. Proof = appointed at least 4 sec of state and 6 sec of war. Historian Potter says if Davis and Lee reversed role, confederacy might have won. FOR: Military experience, secretary of war. More realistic views. PROOF: Appointed Lee. did not overcommit his forces. Supported tough measures ie: 1862 Conscription Act. high taxes on cotton and slaves, impressment of supplies. Lee says no one could've done a better job. Davis did best job he could do in his position, leadership ensured South held out for as long as it did. CABINET: Judah Benjamin appointed to Justice War and State. Close relationship to Davis. served in Cabinet from start to Finish. Took blame to shelter Davis.

1) Slowly suffocate the South by blockading its coasts. 2) Liberate the slaves and undermine the economic foundation of the South. 3) Cut the Confederacy in half by seizing control of the Mississippi River. 4) Dismember the Confederacy by sending troops through Georgia and the Carolinas. 5) Capture its capital at Richmond. 6) Try everywhere to engage the enemy and grind it into submission.

SOUTH WIN Stonewall Jackson led confederates to victory (union loss signified the war would not be a 90-day long (short) affair)

SOUTH WIN First battle West August 10, 1861. Union retreat.

confederates created warships to beat the northern blockades. 1862, the Merrimack (renamed Virginia) threatened the north and went head to head with the northern warship, Monitor, and fought to standstill

MAJOR UNION WIN April 6, 1862, South under Johnston attacked Grant's Army of the Tennessee. Bloodiest battle at its time. Fought in Tennessee.

UNION WIN vital southern city was a huge blow to the Confederacy. Lower Mississippi became Union highway to Vicksburg, Mississippi.

SOUTH WIN aka Seven Pines/Seven Days - started by George McClellan (leader of Potomac Army). first act was to launch attack on Richmond , was met by Lee in a counter attack and was driven back to sea

SOUTH WIN General Lee defeated General Pope (Lee starts his move northward)

MAJOR UNION WIN First time the South attacked on North territory. McClellan discovered Lee's plans and halted his forces, stopping Lee's march northward (allowed Lincoln the military backing to issue the Emancipation Proclamation) Bloodiest DAY in American history. North won. South lost and did not gain foreign support from England and France.

Issued September 17, 1862 and officially/finally enacted January 1, 1863...Although did not free all, was praised by abolitionists. Lincoln made the war a war to end slavery. It called for all slaves to be freed in "enemy" territory (didn't include border states or areas where union had significant control)

SOUTH WIN McClellan replaced with Burnside (too slow and cautious), massive loss for Burnside, Burnside is replaced by Hooker

SOUTH WIN Hooker is badly beaten, replaced by Meade. General Lee's greatest victory. Stonewall dies.

UNION WIN July 1-3, 1863. Meade vs. Lee as Lee restarts his march northward (to PA) union won bc failed Picketts Charge (confederate general) bloodiest battle in Civil war (Lincoln delivers Gettysburg address honoring the fallen soldiers) South would not invade the North again.

November 1863, Lincoln invited to deliver Gettysburg Address, at ceremony for the Cemetery of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. Though he not the featured orator that day, Lincoln's 273-word address would be remembered most important speeches in American history. invoked the principles of human equality contained in the Declaration of Independence and connected the sacrifices of the Civil War with the desire for "a new birth of freedom," as well as the all-important preservation of the Union created in 1776 and its ideal of self-government.

colonel of Union volunteer army, first victory was the capturing of Ft. Henry and Ft. Donelson, was defeated in Battle of Shiloh, eventually given command of forces attacking Vicksburg.

Union victory July 4, 1863, Union attack on Confederate fort at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Grant led siege of Vicksburg, facing the confederates led by Pemberton. Vicksburg was located on the Mississippi and was considered by Lincoln to be "the key to the south." Jefferson Davis said, "Vicksburg is the nail head that holds the South's two halves together. Gave control of Mississippi, Its capture by the union divided the south in two. Along with Gettysburg, marked the end of Confederate's hopes of foreign help

UNION WIN Union Rosecrane vs. Bragg; Rosecrane -> Battle of Chickamauga, lost -> retreat to Chattanooga. Bragg seige Chattanooga, Rosecrane might surrender. Lincoln gave Grant command of all west forces, and established supply line for Chattanooga. Grant stormed Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, rebels retreat Bragg resign.

Radical Peace Democrats; Lee hoped Lincoln not re-elected and vote in peace candidate.

The Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Spotsylvania Courthouse Grant appointed lieutenant general and general-in-chief of the Union Army in March 1864. Grant strat = "simultaneous movement all along the line", to get Richmond. Finally used N. superior manpower to advantage. Lincoln advocated this strat from the start. six-week Overland Campaign had ended, damage totaled 55,000 for the Union and 33,000 for the Confederacy. Lincoln never lost faith in his new commander. As the Union forces dug in at Petersburg, Grant received a telegram from the commander-in-chief: "I begin to see it. You will succeed. God bless you all. A. LINCOLN."

UNION VICTORY Grant dug trenches and began siege of Petersburg. Grant ordered a general attack on all fronts. Petersburg, and then Richmond, fell to the Union.

UNION VICTORY July 22, 1864, Atlanta, Georgia. Sherman, want important rail and supply hub, defeated Hood. Sherman burned the city. Victory greatly increased northern morale credited for reelection of Abraham Lincoln

McClellan (democratic and copperhead candidate, angered after being fired) vs. Lincoln (republican) vs. Andrew Johnson (Union party candidate (War democrats and republicans)) IMPORTANT bc if Lincoln won, there would be no hope left for confederate victory.

UNION VICTORY aka the "Savannah Campaign". Most destructive campaign of the war. Showed the Union's power. Sherman Captured Atlanta September 1864 and burned it in November. Captured Savannah December, and burned Columbia, SC February of 1865. completely defeated southern morale and influence in the war, assuring northern victory.

UNION VICTORY December 15-16, 1864, Army of Tennessee destroyed by General Thomas; swarmed over the Rebel trenches around Nashville

issued in 1865, legally ending slavery.

April 9, 1865, Lee surrendered 28,000 troops to Grant Appomattox Court House, Virginia, ending Civil War.