The Civil War from 1861 to 1865

Civil War represents a decisive period in American history, but also one of violence, during which more than 620,000 Americans died. (Gary B. Nash, Carter Smith, page 144) The American Civil War was fought between North and the South, and started as a result of their differences regarding slavery, state's rights and federal authority. The decisive moment was when Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln won the election, and become the president of the United States. This victory influenced seven states to leave the union; on December 20, 1860 South Carolina, and, after the war started six more states left the union (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi)

While the North's economy was based on manufacturing and industry, agriculture being an isolated activity, in the South it was based on agriculture and slavery. The main crops that were planted in the South were cotton and tobacco. After 1830 the North wanted to free slaves, but the South was against this, as they were their main means of sustenance. In 1854 senator Stephen Douglas made a proposal concerning the new territories which were not considered states yet. "To gain southern support for the measure, Douglas insisted that the settlers decide their status as slave or free." (Gary B. Nash, Carter Smith, page 138) The North formed a new political entity, the Republican Party. Southerners were convinced that their Northern neighbors want to eliminate slavery and thus lead to the fall of the South's economy. The election of Abraham Lincoln constituted the key event leading to the Civil War.

Soon after the elections, the state of South Carolina decided to leave the Union. "The decision sparked a state-wide celebration. Soon the state demanded that federal troops be withdrawn from Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor, an ultimatum which would lead to the bombardment of the fort and the first shots of the Civil War." (Gary B. Nash, Carter Smith, page 141) In January five more states left the union and in February Texas joined them. At the beginning of 1861 secessionists started to conquer the northern forts located in the South.

"On February 4, 1861, delegates from these states met in Montgomery, Alabama to create a new nation, the Confederate States of America. Within five days, they had adopted a provisional constitution and elected a provisional president, former U.S. Senator, and Pierce administration Secretary of War Jefferson Davis." (Gary B. Nash, Carter Smith, page 142) The new president requested all federal troops to retreat from the Confederate states. President Lincoln refused President Davis' request, and as a result the conflict became more serious. The Confederacy had a much stronger and well prepared army than the northerners. In addition to that Southerners were more determined to win the war, as they wanted to keep the slavery legal.

The Civil War was mostly fought as three wars. The first took place East of the Appalachian Mountains, Virginia. "Here, the Union objective was to capture the rebel capital, Richmond." (Gary B. Nash, Carter Smith, page 149) The Confederates successfully defeated the federal army at Bull Run, and obliged them to draw back towards Washington D.C. After this battle both sides realized that this war will not be easy or short-lasting. After this embarrassing defeat, Lincoln placed George McClellan at the command of the Army of the Potomac. "In July McClellan lead an army of Indiana and Ohio volunteers in a campaign to drive Confederate forces from western Virginia." (Gary B. Nash, Carter Smith, page 149) His campaign was successful due to his victory in western Virginia.

The second war was fought between the Appalachians and the Mississippi River. In 1862, General Ulysses S. Grant led Union troops which conquered Forts Henry and Donelson from Tennessee. As a result of these victories the Confederacy was split in two. "But success proved costly; the heavy Union casualties under Grant at the Battle of Shiloh, fought on April 6-7, 1862, shocked the North." (Gary B. Nash, Carter Smith, page 149)

The third conflict had the sea as a battle field. In 1861 and 1862 the North had won several important battles as a result of its campaign meant to prevent the Confederacy from getting assistance from international players.

"On April 21, 1861, just as the Civil War was getting under way, Union forces hastily abandoned the critical Norfolk Navy Yard -- after destroying most of the yard's facilities and twelve ships to prevent them from falling into rebel hands." (Gary B. Nash, Carter Smith, page 149) The Confederates captured the frigate Merrimack, remodeled it and renamed it C.S.S. Virginia. On March 8 they assailed and destroyed the Union frigate Cumberland with the new Virginia. After this defeat the Union placed the Monitor to the sea. The Monitor did not have a long life, as it sank on December 31 in a storm at Cape Hatteras. "Both the Union and Confederacy quickly set about building more ironclads, which caught the eye of navies around the world, and warship design was changed forever." (Gary B. Nash, Carter Smith, page 149)