The Civil War Begins Firing in Fort Sumter

The Civil War Begins

Firing in Fort Sumter • Confederacy of Southern States was formed when Lincoln elected president • Southern Troop attack Fort Sumter, the first shots of the Civil War. • Both sides start to prepare for war

North vs. South UNION • More people • 23 Million people to South’s 9 million • More factories – North had 1 factory for every 1 southern industrial worker • More railroads!!! – 70% of all railroads in North CONFEDERACY • Money from cotton – Thought it would get them foreign support • Intelligent Generals – Many Generals from Union Army went back to South • Motivated soldiers – Honor & fighting valued – Fighting on own soil

Battles& Generals • South names Robert E. Lee to command Southern Army. • First battle was at Bull Run (Manassas), 25 miles from Washington D. C. – Stonewall Jackson helped South win victory • Northern Army led by George Mc. Clellen (too slow & cautious). • Northern General, Ulysses Grant, wins victories in south.

Emancipation Proclamation • Lincoln wanted to free slaves, but needed victory for North • Union got major victory at Antietam. • Signed Emancipation Proclamation, saying all slaves in Confederacy are free. – Freed no actual slaves • Gave war a moral purpose • South sees no more chance at compromise to end war

African-Americans Join Army • Emancipation Proclamation allows many blacks to serve in Union Army • By wars end, 10% Union army were African American (23 won Medal of Honor) • Were still treated poorly by Union troops, served in separate units & paid less.

War affects Both Economies • South faced food shortages: – No one manning fields, or North captured land – Meat eaten once a week, food prices soar • North economy booms – Army needed supplies, factories produced them – Wages still low as prices rose • North passes first income tax to pay for war

Soldiers faced terrible conditions • Medical care was horrid – No antibiotics or pain killers – Amputation was cure • Camps were dirty – Did not know about sanitation – Many died from disease • Prison Camps were terrible – 15% prisoners in South

ANDERSONVILLE, GEORGIA

Women work to improve conditions • Northern women band together to start “sanitary” commission. • Women raise money, start letter writing to soldiers to boost morale. • Clara Barton worked on front lines as nurse. Many women volunteer in hospitals as nurses. • Death rate improves among Union troops.