The American Civil War
Civil War
• Civil war - A civil war
is a war between
people in the same
country.
The Creation of West Virginia
• Conflict grew between the
eastern and western
counties of Virginia.
• Many in the western
counties were in favor of
abolition (against slavery)
and against seceding
from the Union.
• Many disagreements
between the two regions
of the state led to the
formation of West
Virginia.
The Creation of West Virginia
• In 1863, 50 western
counties voted to
break away from
Virginia and form their
own state.
• This new state was
known as West
Virginia and it joined
the Union.
Who is Who?
• North – United States.
• Union – United
States.
• Army of the PotomacUnited States Army.
• Federals – United
States.
Who is Who?
• South – Confederate
States of America.
• Confederacy –
Confederate States of
America.
• Army of Northern
Virginia- Confederate
States Army.
• Rebels – Confederate
States of America.
Both Sides Look for a General
• President Lincoln and
President Davis both
wanted a man from
Virginia named Robert
E. Lee to command their
army!
• By 1861, Lee was
already a respected
military leader in the
U.S. Army.
• Lee was the man who
captured John Brown at
Harpers Ferry in 1859!
Robert E. Lee
• Lee loved the United
States and he thought
that slavery was wrong!
• However, Lee was from
Virginia and he said
that he could not fight
against his home state.
• Lee accepted President
Davis’ offer to lead the
Confederate Army.
The Civil War in Virginia
• After Virginia seceded
from the Union, the
Confederate States of
America moved its
capital to Richmond,
Virginia.
• Many important Civil
War battles were
fought in Virginia.
Battle of Bull Run (Manassas)
• The first Battle of Bull
Run (Manassas) was
the first major clash of
the Civil War.
• This is the battle
where Thomas
“Stonewall” Jackson
earned his nickname!
Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson
• It is said while the
battle raged around
him, Thomas Jackson
stood calmly, “like a
stonewall.”
• “Stonewall” Jackson
played an important
part in this battle and
help lead the
Confederacy to a
victory at Bull Run.
Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson
• He led Confederate
troops into many
battles.
• Jackson was a former
officer in the U.S. Army
and resigned to join the
Confederate Army.
• Thomas “Stonewall”
Jackson was from
Virginia.
J.E.B. Stuart
• J.E.B. Stuart was also a
former U.S. Army
leader. He resigned
(quit) his job to join the
Confederate Army.
• He was the leader of
the Confederate Army’s
Cavalry.
• He was called the “eyes
of the army” by Robert
E. Lee.
• J.E.B. Stuart was from
Virginia.
The Civil War in Virginia
• The Confederacy had
won the first major
battle of the war.
• This was just one of
many battles fought in
Virginia.
The Civil War in Virginia
• Virginia was a major
battleground of the
Civil War because
much of it lay
between the capitals
of the two sides –
Richmond and
Washington, D.C.
The North Sets Up a Naval
Blockade of the South
• Blockade – the
patrolling of an enemy
country’s coast by
warships to prevent
the enemy from
sending or receiving
weapons,
ammunition,
reinforcements, or
food from other
countries.
The North Sets Up a Naval
Blockade of the South
• Abraham Lincoln used
the Union Navy to
blockade many
important southern
ports.
• This made it difficult for
the South to sell its
agricultural products to
other countries. They
used the money to buy
supplies for the army!
Battle at Sea
• An important sea battle took place
between two iron-clad ships.
• The battle took place in Virginia waters
near Norfolk and Hampton. (Hampton
Roads area)
• The Union ship was called the Monitor.
• The Confederate ship was called the
Merrimack.
Battle at Sea
• The battle between
the Monitor and the
Merrimack was fought
to a draw.
• A draw means that
there was no winner
or no loser!
The War Rages On!
• Fredericksburg, VA - Lee
defeats the Union Army
here.
• The Union’s economic
and manpower
advantages begin to take
a toll on the Confederate
Army.
• The naval blockade was
strangling the economy of
the South.
The Fall of Richmond
• Richmond falls to
Ulysses S. Grant and
the Union Army. In
order to keep supplies
from falling into the
enemy’s hands, the
Confederate Army
burns the city!
• Lee and the
Confederate Army
retreated to the west!
The War Ends!
• The Civil War ended
at Appomattox Court
House, Virginia.
• Lee surrendered his
army to Union
General Ulysses S.
Grant in April 1865.
• The war was now
over!
Roles of Groups
During the U.S. Civil War
• Whites, enslaved
African Americans,
free African
Americans, and
American Indians all
had various roles
during the Civil War.
• Most white Virginians
supported the
Confederacy.
Roles of Groups
During the U.S. Civil War
• The Confederacy
relied on enslaved
African Americans
to raise crops and
provide labor for
the army.
Roles of Groups
During the U.S. Civil War
• Some free African
Americans felt their
limited rights could
best be protected
by supporting the
Confederacy.
• Many freed African
Americans fought
for the U.S. Army.
Roles of Groups
During the U.S. Civil War
• Most American
Indians did not
take sides during
the Civil War.
Virginia’s Connection to the
Civil War Today
• You may recognize
this common road
sign in Virginia.
Tourists come from
around the world to
learn about Virginia’s
role in the U.S. Civil
War!