The American Civil War 1861 To 1865 Lincolns

The American Civil War 1861 To 1865

Lincoln’s Beliefs p No right to interfere with slavery where it existed p Secession illegal; Constitution formed by the people: no state can secede from the Union; Union is perpetual p No action until the South acts first

Fort Sumter: April 12, 1861

Waging War: Fight To Win p Preserve the Union: NOT to free the slaves -Don’t alienate border states -Maintain North’s support (issue of slavery) -Do not recognize So. secession (“domestic rebellion”)

Keep the Border States in the Union p Md. , Del. , Mo. , Ky. : slave states still in the Union p Would not push for emancipation until 1862

Take Charge of War Effort Tried to re-supply Ft. Sumter; South fired on fort p Called for 75, 000 volunteers to end rebellion p Increased size of navy & ordered naval blockade p Suspended writ of habeas corpus p Declared martial law in border states p

Paying for the War p Paying For War: n n New taxes on products & income tax Bonds were sold to raise $ 1863: a nation’s banking system changed: a new federal bank was created; new national currency backed by the US gov’t Money borrowed from banks

Confederate Money

Northern Advantages p p Advantages of the North: 16, 000 in army; Congress authorized spending for 500, 000 troops n Greater amount of industry n Better RR’s & roads, ports & harbors n Larger population (more workers & soldiers) n Control of navy n An established government in place under Lincoln

South’s Advantages p p p Fighting a defensive war: huge numbers volunteered Didn’t need to win, just hold on until the No. gave up Slaves could do the work while landowners could fight Well-trained officers – Robert E. Lee Fighting for their rights as states

Political Effects: North p Northerners (Rep. /No. Dem. s’) control Congress; pass key legislation: n n n Homestead Act Banking Act Pacific Railway Act Lincoln (Commander in Chief) exercises greater power: Sent troops to war on his own authority Increased size of army Suspended writ of habeas corpus

Political Effects: South p Formed a new government Recognize sovereignty of states n Makes abolition of slavery unconstitutional n 6 year term Struggle for power between states’ rights & centralization: States’ restricted Davis’ to impose martial law & suspend habeas corpus Gov’t imposed regulations on industry, took over RR’s & seized slaves for military work n

Confiscation Acts p Military hold slaves as “contraband” p Fall 1862: After Battle of Antietam, Lincoln announced his Emancipation Proclamation: Jan. 1, 1863

Goals Expand: Emancipation Deprive the South of a work force n Gain greater support from abolitionists and anti-slavery n Use African Americans to fight: organize black regiments and provide support for the Union n Prevent the South from getting foreign aid EFFECTS: n Encourages more slaves to leave plantations (a process that had already started) n Broader, more clearer purpose n Huge boost to Union n

Justification of Emancipation p “Military necessity” p Limited to wartime strategy p Who is freed and who is not:

Effect of Proclamation p Established a new purpose for the war p Symbolic: at first no slaves freed p Lessened the chance Europe would aid South

Human Cost of War 3 million + Americans fought in it p 600, 000 died p Worst single day: Antietam: over 3, 000 dead p Shiloh: 7, 000 men fell in 20 min. p Many died from battle wounds that became infected during the war p