Major Battles of the Civil War
SSUSH9 The student will identify key events, issues, and individuals relating to the causes, course, and consequences of the Civil War.
d. Explain the importance of Fort Sumter, Antietam, Vicksburg, Gettysburg, and the Battle for Atlanta and the impact of geography on these
battles.
Battle and Date(s) of Battle
Significance of Battle to the Outcome of the Civil War
Opening
shots
of
the
Civil
War
when Confederate forces fired upon Union-held Fort Sumter off the coast of
Fort Sumter (April 1861)
Charleston, South Carolina.
Impact of geography: Bombardment of Fort Sumter was difficult due to its location on an island in Charleston Harbor.
Antietam (September 1862)
Single-bloodiest day in US history; first attempt of the South to invade Union territory (Maryland)
After the Union victory, Lincoln gains political momentum and issues the Emancipation Proclamation; changes the
focus of the war from not only preserving the Union, but also ending slavery.
Vicksburg (Summer 1863)
Impact of geography: Battle located around Antietam Creek; Union forces had difficult time crossing the heavily
fortified bridge over the creek that was protecting the outnumbered Confederate forces.
Final Confederate stronghold along the Mississippi River; Ulysses S. Grant leads a weeks-long siege of the city of
Vicksburg in western Mississippi; Union victory at Vicksburg gives the Union complete control of the Mississippi River
(fully open to trade and transport) and literally “splits” the Confederacy in half.
Gettysburg (July 1863)
Impact of geography: Successfully capturing Vicksburg required the surrender of Confederate troops atop high
grounds of the city at a sharp bend in the river. It would take weeks for Union forces to cut off supplies to the city and
force them to surrender.
General Lee decides to invade the North in South PA at a small town called Gettysburg. Northern and Southern forces
clash over three days, becoming the bloodiest battle ever fought in the western hemisphere. South retreat, never to
attempt invasion again; seen as the war’s major turning point. Lincoln issues “Gettysburg Address” that November
dedicating a cemetery and urging a preservation of the Union.
Impact of geography: Victory required the taking of several “hills” and highlands stretching across the battlefield. The
South was unable to attain these highlands and forced to retreat.
Battle for Atlanta (Fall 1864)
Grant sends William T. Sherman to capture the railroad “hub” of the South, Atlanta, and destroy the last
remaining infrastructure of the South. After Atlanta is taken and burned, Sherman begins the “March to
the Sea”, destroying everything in his path from Atlanta to the Savannah coastline.
Impact of geography: Mountains and hills made the weeks-long Union siege of Atlanta very difficult.
Major Figures of the Civil War
SSUSH9 The student will identify key events, issues, and individuals relating to the causes, course, and consequences of the Civil
War.
c. Describe the roles of Ulysses Grant, Robert E. Lee, “Stonewall” Jackson, William T. Sherman, and Jefferson Davis.
Individual
Description of their role in the Civil War
Ulysses S. Grant
Robert E. Lee
“Stonewall” Jackson
William T. Sherman
Jefferson Davis