James A. Henretta
Eric Hinderaker
Rebecca Edwards
Robert O. Self
America’s History
Eighth Edition
America: A Concise History
Sixth Edition
CHAPTER 14
Two Societies at War
1861–1865
Copyright © 2014 by Bedford/St. Martin’s
I. Secession and Military Stalemate,
1861–1862
A. The Secession Crisis
1. The Lower South Secedes
-South Carolina seceded first in Dec 1860. Fireeaters called their states to consider following SC:
(MS, FL, AL, GA, LA, and TX) by Feb 1861.
Declared themselves Confederate States of
America w/ Jefferson Davis as their president.
2. The Crittenden Compromise
-Senator Crittenden (KY) proposes 1.)
amendment to protect slavery from gov. where
already existed (approved). 2.) Expand MO
Compromise line to CA border. (rejected for fear of
imperialism by proslavery to Cuba)
I. Secession and Military Stalemate,
1861–1862
B. The Upper South Chooses Sides
1. Union responds
-Northerners join war effort quickly. N.
Democrats supported Lincoln (even Stephen
Douglas).
2. Middle and border states
-The eight border and middle states accounted
for 2/3 of the whites in slave holding states. VA,
AK, TN, and NC side with Confederacy. In
northwest VA, yeomen broke away to become part
of the Union (admitted 1863 as West Virginia). DE
and MO sided with Union. MD occupied and seized
by Unionists.
I. Secession and Military Stalemate,
1861–1862
C. Setting War Objectives and Devising Strategies
1. Union Thrusts Toward Richmond
-Lincoln insists on aggressive military campaign
to restore Union. Hoped quick strike would end
rebellion. Attack at Manassas (Bull Run) led to
panic among Union soldiers who retreated.
General McClellan launched major assault, but
Confederates fought back, war continued,
Richmond still secure.
2. Lee Moves North: Antietam
3 The War in the Mississippi Valley
I. Secession and Military Stalemate,
1861–1862
C. Setting War Objectives and Devising Strategies
1. Union Thrusts Toward Richmond
2. Lee Moves North: Antietam
-CSA General Lee routed Union troops in 2nd
Battle of Bull Run (1862). Union heads to West MD,
Lee able to move towards Antietam Creek MD.
Horrible casualties at Antietam Sep. 17, 1862. Lee
retreats and Lincoln prematurely claims victory.
3 The War in the Mississippi Valley
-Union has success in Midwest. David G. Farragut
+ Union Navy struck CSA from Gulf of Mexico. Took
South’s financial center/largest city New Orleans.
II. Toward Total War
A. Mobilizing Armies and Civilians
1. The Military Draft
-Death toll discouraged enlistment and both sides
needed a draft. Apr. 1862 CSA imposes first draft in
US history. Union taxed those who refused to serve or
sympathized with the CSA; suspended habeas
corpus. Sanitary Commission established in NY to aid
in the care of soldiers on the battlefield + Union
hospitals. Death created new industries (ex
embalming).
2. Women in Wartime
II. Toward Total War
A. Mobilizing Armies and Civilians
1. The Military Draft
2. Women in Wartime
-200,000 women volunteered for the Sanitary
Commission and the Freedman’s Aid Society; nursed
family members; worked as paid nurses, clerks, and
factory operatives. Dorothea Dix named
superintendent of female nurses.
II. Toward Total War
B. Mobilizing Resources
1. Republican Economic and Fiscal Policies
-Norths economy is superior to South; More
output, 2/3 RR, 2/3 population. Congress enacts
“neomercantilist” gov. assisted development.
imposed high tariffs, offered “free land” to farmers
through the Homestead Act (1862), closed local
banks, and forced the states/people to accept
federal charters and regulations. Union spending
increases dramatically. Legal Tender Act of 1862
introduced “greenbacks.”
2. The South Resorts to Coercion and Inflation
II. Toward Total War
B. Mobilizing Resources
1. Republican Economic and Fiscal Policies
2. The South Resorts to Coercion and Inflation
-CSA leaves economic matters to state govs in
beginning. Eventually had to build and operate
shipyards, armories, textile mills. Commandeered
food, coal, iron, copper, and lead. Paid most war
costs by printing paper money, leading to price
inflation and food rioting.
III. The Turning Point: 1863
A. Emancipation
1. “Contrabands”
-Abolitionists demand emancipation for slaves.
Escaped southern slaves that joined Union army
called “contrabands of war.” Confiscation Act of
1861 allowed Union to take any “property” aiding
the Confederacy.
2. The Emancipation Proclamation
-For the first time in 1862 Lincoln publicly linked
emancipation with preservation of the union.
Emancipation was an “Act of Justice”
III. The Turning Point: 1863
B. Vicksburg and Gettysburg
1. The Battle for the Mississippi
-General Grant sought to split the Confederacy
in two; achieved the surrender at Vicksburg, MS;
took regions of Louisiana
2. Lee’s Advance and Defeat
-Gettysburg, PA, July 1863; Union victory was
hard won. last effort by the CSA to invade the North;
increased the power of Republican Party and its
supporters.
IV. The Union Victorious, 1864–1865
A. Soldiers and Strategy
1. The Impact of Black Troops
-Northern whites initially offended by black
soldiers in Union. Emancipation Proclamation
helped change perception. 1863 the 54th
Massachhusetts Infantry led a heroic + costly
attack at Fort Wagner (SC) further changing
perspective of black soldiers. Changes to pay.
2. Capable Generals Take Command
3. Stalemate
IV. The Union Victorious, 1864–1865
A. Soldiers and Strategy
1. The Impact of Black Troops
2. Capable Generals Take Command
-Grant focuses on disruption of Southern
society. 2 major offensives; 1) destroy Lee’s forces
in Virginia. 2) Order Gen William Sherman to
invade GA and take Atlanta.
3. Stalemate
-Morale declined on both sides. Soldiers
deserted. Trench warfare + scorched earth
campaign were signs of desperation to end war.
IV. The Union Victorious, 1864–1865
B. The Election of 1864 and Sherman’s March
1. The National Union Party Versus the Peace
Democrats
-Republican Party supported Lincoln for
reelection, demanded the surrender of the CSA
and called for end to slavery; Republicans called
themselves the National Union Party
2. The Fall of Atlanta and Lincoln’s Victory
3. William Tecumseh Sherman: “Hard War” Warrior
4. The Confederate Collapse
IV. The Union Victorious, 1864–1865
B. The Election of 1864 and Sherman’s March
1. The National Union Party Versus the Peace
Democrats
2. The Fall of Atlanta and Lincoln’s Victory
-National Union Party labeled Peace Democrats
“copperheads” (poisonous snakes); Lincoln won;
1864 Maryland and Missouri called for
emancipation.
3. William Tecumseh Sherman: “Hard War” Warrior
4. The Confederate Collapse
IV. The Union Victorious, 1864–1865
B. The Election of 1864 and Sherman’s March
1. The National Union Party Versus the Peace
Democrats
2. The Fall of Atlanta and Lincoln’s Victory
3. William Tecumseh Sherman: “Hard War” Warrior
-Commanded Union Army of TN. Led slash and
burn march south. Demoralized many CSA soldiers.
Special Field Order No. 15 set aside 400,000 acres for
use of freedmen.
4. The Confederate Collapse
-Class resentment among CSA weakened
Confederacy. Desertions increased. Lee surrenders at
Appomattox, VA