MILITARY Conflict in the CIVIL WAR [APUSH Review Unit 5 Topic 8] Period 5: 1844-1877

Introduction and Setting the Stage

In this section, the host introduces the topic of the Union victory in the Civil War and discusses the factors that contributed to it.

Factors Contributing to Union Victory

• The South had advantages such as fighting a defensive war, having experienced military leaders like Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, while the North had advantages such as a larger population, control of seas and rivers through their navy, economic superiority with banks and manufacturing districts, and a well-established central government. -

• Despite these advantages, victory for either side would come at a high cost in terms of money and blood. Both the Union and Confederacy had to mobilize their entire economies for war efforts. The North modernized its productive capacity through industrialization led by figures like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller. The South relied on tariffs and taxes on exports but faced financial difficulties due to Union naval blockades. Opposition to the war existed in both regions. -

Course of the War

This section focuses on key events during the course of the Civil War.

Outbreak of War

• Lincoln's election in 1860 triggered secession attempts by Southern states. Fort Sumter became a flashpoint when South Carolina cut off supply lines to federal troops stationed there. Lincoln decided to send provisions to resupply them, leading to Confederate forces firing upon Union suppliers at Fort Sumter – considered as the first official salvo of war. -

• The early part of the war favored the Confederacy, as seen in the First Battle of Bull Run. Initially, Union troops had success but were eventually defeated by Confederate reinforcements under Stonewall Jackson. This battle shattered any illusions of a quick and tidy war for both sides. -

Conclusion

The transcript provides an introduction to the topic of the Union victory in the Civil War and highlights some key factors that contributed to it. It also touches on important events during the course of the war, including Lincoln's election, Fort Sumter, and the First Battle of Bull Run.

New Section

This section discusses the role of cotton in the American Civil War and how it affected the Confederacy's hopes for foreign aid.

The Importance of Cotton

• Both India and Egypt were able to produce cotton at high rates, diminishing the power of "King Cotton" as a bargaining chip for the Confederacy.

• The Union ultimately succeeded due to improvements in leadership, strategy, key battle victories, and the destruction of Southern infrastructure.

New Section

This section focuses on the factors that contributed to the Union's success during the American Civil War.

Union Leadership and Strategy

• The rise of generals like Ulysses S. Grant who pressed hard against the Confederates helped turn the tide in favor of the Union.

• Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation played a significant role as a military strategy rather than solely being a document of freedom.

• It changed the scope of the war by making it about eradicating slavery in addition to saving the Union.

• Enslaved workers used this proclamation as an opportunity to escape their plantations and join Union lines.

• It closed doors on British support for the South since Britain had recently abolished slavery.

New Section

This section delves into Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and its impact on slavery during the American Civil War.

Limitations of Emancipation Proclamation

• The Emancipation Proclamation technically only freed enslaved people in states that were in active rebellion against the United States (Confederacy).

• Slavery was allowed to remain active within certain states known as Border States (Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri, and West Virginia) that were not in active rebellion.

• The proclamation served as a military strategy to weaken the Confederacy and deter British support.

New Section

This section explores the effects of the Emancipation Proclamation and key battle victories on the outcome of the American Civil War.

Impact of Emancipation Proclamation

• The proclamation led to many enslaved workers escaping their plantations and joining Union lines, some even fighting for the Union cause.

• It also discouraged British support for the South since they had abolished slavery themselves.

• Key battle victories, such as the Battle of Vicksburg, contributed to the Union's success by gaining control over strategic locations.

New Section

This section discusses how the devastation of Southern infrastructure played a role in the Union's victory during the American Civil War.

Devastation of Southern Infrastructure

• After capturing Atlanta, General Sherman burned it down and embarked on a devastating March to the Sea.

• Sherman's march involved destroying railroads, burning crops, and adopting a scorched earth policy that weakened the South's ability to recover its strength.

• Combined with other factors like Union naval blockade, this led to General Grant meeting Confederate General Lee at Appomattox Courthouse for surrender.

New Section

This section concludes by summarizing how key victories, destruction of infrastructure, and other factors led to Union success in ending the American Civil War.

Conclusion

• The Union's success was attributed to improvements in leadership, effective strategies like Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, key battle victories (e.g., Battle of Vicksburg), and devastation of Southern infrastructure.

• These factors ultimately led to General Grant accepting Confederate General Lee's surrender at Appomattox Courthouse, marking the end of the war.

For further assistance, refer to the Unit 5 playlist.