Overview
The American Civil War (1861–1865) was a conflict between the Union (North) and the Confederacy (South) over issues including the expansion of slavery, resulting in Union victory, the abolition of slavery, and the eventual reunification and reconstruction of the United States.
Causes and Outbreak of the War
- The central cause was Southern states' desire to preserve slavery and expand it into western territories.
- Abraham Lincoln's 1860 election led seven Southern states to secede and form the Confederacy.
- The war began when Confederates attacked Fort Sumter, South Carolina, on April 12, 1861.
- Four additional slave states joined the Confederacy after hostilities began.
The War and Major Campaigns
- Most fighting occurred in the South, with over 237 named battles and many skirmishes.
- Major theaters: Eastern (Virginia, Maryland), Western (Mississippi River to Appalachians), and Trans-Mississippi (west of the Mississippi).
- Turning points included the Union victories at Gettysburg (1863) and Vicksburg (1863).
- Key Union strategies were the Anaconda Plan and the control of rivers, blockading Southern ports, and total war tactics in the South.
Emancipation and Social Change
- The Emancipation Proclamation (1863) declared freedom for slaves in Confederate states.
- Approximately 190,000 African Americans served in the Union Army.
- The Thirteenth Amendment (1865) abolished slavery nationwide.
War's End and Aftermath
- Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.
- Subsequent Confederate surrenders followed throughout spring 1865.
- President Lincoln was assassinated days after victory.
- Reconstruction (1865–1877) sought to rebuild the South, reunify the nation, and secure rights for freed slaves.
Casualties and Impact
- Estimated 698,000 soldier deaths; total casualties over 1,000,000 including civilians.
- Disease was the leading cause of death; many soldiers were wounded or became amputees.
- The war devastated the Southern economy and infrastructure.
Memory, Historiography, and Legacy
- The Civil War remains a central event in American memory and culture, sparking ongoing debates about causes and commemoration.
- The "Lost Cause" myth glorified the Confederacy and downplayed slavery as a cause.
- The war accelerated industrialization and introduced technological innovations like ironclads and the telegraph.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Union — The northern states loyal to the U.S. government during the Civil War.
- Confederacy — The eleven Southern states that seceded to form a separate nation.
- Emancipation Proclamation — 1863 executive order freeing slaves in rebelling states.
- Reconstruction — The period post-war aimed at reintegrating Southern states and securing rights for former slaves.
- Total War — War strategy targeting not only enemy armies but also economic resources and civilian infrastructure.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the timeline of major battles and turning points.
- Study the causes of the war, especially the role of slavery.
- Familiarize with the main amendments passed during Reconstruction (13th, 14th, and 15th).
- Examine differing perspectives on the war’s legacy and memory.