Early Civil War Overview

Overview

This lecture covers early mobilization and the initial stages of the U.S. Civil War, focusing on expectations, major battles, advantages and disadvantages for each side, and key military leaders and theaters of war.

Pre-War Expectations & First Engagements

• Both North and South expected a short, relatively bloodless war after Fort Sumter.
• The Union believed its advantages would lead to a quick victory.
• The first major land battle was the Battle of Bull Run (Manassas), resulting in a Confederate victory.

Strategic Advantages and Disadvantages

• The North had a larger population (21 million), no enslaved people, more industry, and better railroads.
• The South only needed to fight a defensive war and had the advantage of familiar terrain and a large coastline.
• The Southern economy relied on cotton, which was not easily converted into war supplies due to the Union blockade.
• The South suffered from poor finances, high inflation, limited industry, and a smaller effective population for the army (5 million out of 9 million).
• The North’s main disadvantage was the need to attack and supply forces over a vast, unfamiliar territory.

Theaters of War

• Two primary theaters: Virginia Theater (fighting over capitals) and Western Theater (control of railroads and rivers).
• In Virginia, both sides aimed to capture the enemy’s capital (Richmond or Washington, D.C.).
• Most significant and largest battles took place in Virginia.

Key Battles and Leadership in Virginia Theater

• Union’s Army of the Potomac, led by General George McClellan, failed to capture Richmond due to his passive tactics.
• Confederate generals like Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson stalled Union advances.
• The Second Battle of Bull Run saw another Confederate victory and a failed Union attempt to protect Washington, D.C.
• The Battle of Antietam in Maryland was very bloody; Confederates retreated, but McClellan was fired for poor leadership.

Western Theater and Union Success

• The Western Theater focused on Union control of rivers and railroads to cut Confederate supply lines.
• Union Army of the West was led by Ulysses S. Grant.
• Battles such as Shiloh were extremely bloody but resulted in Union victories, showing the war would be prolonged and deadly.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) — First major land battle of the Civil War, Confederate victory.
• Virginia Theater — Area around Virginia where battles over capitals occurred.
• Army of the Potomac — Main Union army in the Virginia Theater.
• George McClellan — Union general criticized for passive strategy.
• Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson — Confederate general who successfully defended key positions.
• Battle of Antietam — Major, bloody battle in Maryland; Union victory led to McClellan’s dismissal.
• Western Theater — Region west of Virginia, focused on rivers, railroads, and supply lines.
• Ulysses S. Grant — Successful Union general in the West.
• Battle of Shiloh — Very bloody Western Theater battle, Union victory.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Review details of key battles (Bull Run, Antietam, Shiloh).
• Study the differences in strategy, resources, and leadership between the Union and Confederacy.