Crash Course U.S. History: Major Battles of the Civil War

Introduction

• Presented by John Green
• Focus on major battles of the American Civil War
• Mention of the tendency to focus on causes and effects, rather than military history

1861

• Battle of Fort Sumter, South Carolina: First shots fired, Southern victory
• Battle of Rich Mountain: Northern victory
• First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas, Virginia): Southern victory, "Stonewall" Jackson nickname
• Wilson's Creek: Southern victory
• Carnifex Ferry: Northern victory
• Cheat Mountain: Northern victory
• Balls Bluff & Chustinalla: Southern victories

1862

• Northern victories:
  • Mills Spring, Fort Henry, Roanoke Island, Fort Donelson
  • Fighting in the West: Pea Ridge (Arkansas), New Madrid (Missouri)
• Battle of Hampton Roads, Virginia: First fight between ironclad warships, a draw
• Other Northern victories:
  • Battle of Bern, Battle of Shiloh, Fort Pulaski, Forts Jackson & St. Philip (New Orleans control)
• Stonewall Jackson's victories:
  • McDowell, Fort Royal, Winchester, Cross Keys, Port Republic
• Seven Day Battles: Series of conflicts between Lee and McClellan
  • Mixed outcomes, including the Union victory at Malvern Hill
• Battle of Antietam, Maryland (September 17, 1862): Bloodiest single day, McClellan ended Lee's invasion

1863

• Battle of Stones River: Union victory
• Battle of Chancellorsville: Southern victory, Stonewall Jackson mortally wounded
• Northern Mississippi victories at:
  • Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hill
• Battle of Gettysburg: Major Union victory, Pickett's charge

1864

• Battle of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Courthouse, Cold Harbor: Virginia
• Northern victories in Georgia:
  • Marietta, Atlanta (Sherman's major victory), Ezra Church, Jonesboro
• Other notable battles:
  • Battle of the Crater (Virginia), Mobile Bay (Alabama), Peachtree Creek (Georgia)

1865

• Battle of Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia (April 8, 1865): Lee's surrender to Grant
• War effectively ended

Conclusion

• Focus on military engagements of the Civil War
• Mention of the overwhelming number of battles and their significance in the war

• Production Team: Crash Course produced and directed by Stan Muller, script by Stan, graphics team Thought Cafe
• Viewer engagement: Suggestions and questions encouraged in comments
• Signature sign-off: "Don't forget to be awesome."