1 / 24

The Civil War: Strategies, Battles, and Turning Points (1861–1865)

The Civil War (1861–1865) showcased the South's initial advantages, including better cavalry and emotional connection, but these declined over time. The North gained stronger advantages with a 2:1 population, superior industrial output, and extensive railroads. Key events included the early stalemate in the East, pivotal victories in the West, and the eventual Emancipation Proclamation. Significant battles like Gettysburg and Vicksburg marked turning points in the war. The conflict concluded with Lee's surrender at Appomattox and the tragic assassination of Lincoln, shaking the nation.

asta
Télécharger la présentation

The Civil War: Strategies, Battles, and Turning Points (1861–1865)

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The Civil War 1861 - 1865

  2. South had someinitial advantages • Easier to defend than attack • Shorter supply lines • Better knowledge of terrain • Emotional advantage – defending homes & families • Vast size – 750,000 square miles • Best troops initially, and consistently better cavalry • Advantages couldn’t hold up over time Gen. J.E.B. Stuart

  3. Northern advantages grew stronger over time • Over 2:1 population advantage • 90% of industrial production • Almost 3 times as much railroad track • Navy to blockade Southern coast

  4. Transportation & Slavery, 1860

  5. Union Armies’ Numerical Advantage

  6. Government & Finances • CSA gov’t weak by design • Same problems collecting taxes as old confederation • Tariff ineffective due to Northern blockade • Bonds at 8% interest not very attractive • Printed $1.5 billion, but not legal tender • Result: 9,000% inflation (12%/month) • Union gov’t better able to finance & manage war • Legal Tender Act (Feb. 1862) issued $447 million, legal tender • Internal Revenue Act (July 1862) created first income and inheritance taxes • 80% inflation (comparable to World Wars) • Lincoln took very active role as Commander in Chief

  7. Lincoln & the Generals

  8. The Early Years, 1861 – 1862: Stalemate in the East • Defeat in 1st Battle of Bull Run (July 21, 1861) showed North it would be long war • George McClellan took command of Army of the Potomac – organizational genius, but too cautious • Successful defense of Richmond in Battle of 7 Days (June 25-July 1, 1862) made Robert E. Lee commander of the Army of Northern Virginia • Lee’s invasion of Maryland stopped at Antietam (Sept. 17, 1862) - bloodiest single day of war • Burnside defeated at Fredericksburg (Dec. 13, 1862) George McClellan Robert E. Lee

  9. Map: Early Years in the East

  10. The Early Years: Victories in the West & at Sea • Ulysses S. Grant wins key victory at Shiloh (April 6-7, 1862) • By end of 1862, New Orleans, Memphis, & most of Miss. River valley taken • Blockade steadily tightened: 9 out of 10 ships got through in 1861, but only 1 in 2 by 1865 • North & South Carolina barrier islands secured by Feb. 1862 • Admiral David Farragut captured New Orleans April 25, 1862 U.S. Grant David Farragut

  11. Map: Early Years West

  12. The Decision to Free the Slaves • 1st Confiscation Act (Aug. 1861) allowed seizure of slaves used directly by rebel military & abolished slavery in territories & D.C. • Military often welcomed refugees as “contrabands,” & used them for labor or servants • 2nd Confiscation Act (July 1862) freed all slaves owned by rebels, but poorly written and unenforceable • Emancipation Proclamation (Sept. 22, 1862; Jan. 1, 1863) freed all slaves in rebel territories

  13. Pres. Lincoln & Cabinet Issuing the Emancipation Proclamation

  14. Fighting for Freedom • Militia Act (July 1862) allowed blacks to join army, but in segregated units with white officers • 179,000 African Americans served; 130,000 from slave states (100,000 escaped slaves) • Over 38,000 died (higher proportion than whites)

  15. The Later Years, 1863 – 1865 • July 4, 1863 = turning point • Vicksburg fell to Grant after 2-month siege • Lee retreated after 3-day Battle of Gettysburg

  16. Gettysburg

  17. Finishing up in the Deep South • Grant broke the siege of Chattanooga (Nov. 1863) • Made general in chief March 1864 • William T. Sherman took command of Army of the West • Captured Atlanta (Sept. 2, 1864) • March to the Sea (Nov. 15 - Dec. 22, 1864) cut 25-60 mile swath of devastation from Atlanta to Savannah • Total war: destroy enemy’s will & ability to continue to fight William T. Sherman

  18. Map: The Deep South, 1864-65

  19. Grant takes command of the Army of the Potomac, 1864-65 • Engaged Lee continuously to wear down rebels • Wilderness campaign (May - June 1864) was bloodbath • Settled down to siege of Petersburg (June 1864 - April 1865) in response to public outrage over casualties • Richmond fell April 2, 1865 • Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, April 9, 1865 • Breckenridge & Johnston surrendered to Sherman April 18 at Durham Station, N.C.

  20. Map: The East, 1864-65

  21. Lee Surrenders to Grant April 9, 1865

  22. The Assassination • Lincoln assassinated April 14, 1865 (Good Friday) • Told Cabinet that morning about dream of being in a “singular, indescribable vessel . . . moving with great rapidity toward a dark and indefinite shore.” • Shot that night by actor John Wilkes Booth while watching play at Ford’s Theater with his wife • Part of larger conspiracy to assassinate top echelon of federal government • Secretary of State Seward severely wounded • Vice President Andrew Johnson spared because would-be killer got drunk instead

  23. The Conspirators Lewis Powell, George Atzerodt, Mary Surratt & David Herold John Wilkes Booth

  24. The Ford Theater

More Related