Call to Arms
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An immediate cause of the Civil War was the election of 1860. Democratic party ripped apart by the issues of the day. The Northern Democrats supported Stephen Douglas and the idea of popular sovereignty (letting the people of a region decide whether or not to allow slavery to be in their region). The Southern Democrats led by John Breckenridge insisted slavery in all the territories be protected. Many people discussed the possibility of the southern states seceding from the Union. President Buchanan response to this was,"...if secessions were permitted, the Union would be a "Rope of Sand"." He also warned that the Union could break up into many petty, jarring, and hostile republics. Lincoln stated Union is older than any of the states in fact the Union created the states.
Four candidates campaign for President during 1860
| North | Lincoln (Republican) | Wanted to limit slavery in the territories |
| Douglas (Democrat) | Was a moderate Democrat | |
| South | Bell (Democrat) | Was a moderate Democrat |
| Breckenridge (Democrat) | Wanted to protect slavery in all territories |
Throughout the history of America whenever one party has split between two or more candidates, the other party has always won the office of President.
After the 1860 election, the southern states felt that they would be ruined. Harsh words were spoken regarding Lincoln's election. Senator Crittenden proposed a compromise to restore the Missouri Compromise line of 36'30. Neither side would accept this compromise or proposal. In December 1860, a series of comments leading to the secession of southern states begins. South Carolina secedes from the Union, followed by the states of Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas.
Lincoln calls out Militia
75,000 for 90 days. Kentucky refuses to send troops to fight against sister states.
Robert E. Lee is soon named leader of the Southern Forces.
May 1861, confederate capital located in Richmond,
Virginia. 100 miles from Washington
D.C.
Choosing Sides
Maryland lawmakers
arrested if supported secession.
Mary Lincoln’s had members of family fighting for the Confederate.
| Strengths/Weaknesses | |||||
| North | South | ||||
| Population | 71% | 22m | 29% | 9.5 white | 3.5m slaves |
| Railroad Mileage | 71% | 29% | |||
| Manufacturing Plants | 86% | 14% | |||
| Industrial Workers | 92% | 8% | |||
| Military leaders | Offensive Fighting | Better Defensive | |||
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Strategies |
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| North | South |
| Economic pressures | would win by not losing |
| Blockades control of Miss. River | hoped north would tire of Conflict |
| Hope to gain France/Eng as allies | |
| Total destruction of confederate forces | changed to defeat of northern |
| Force would damage Morals and influence Europe | |
| 2 fronts of fighting | ||
| East | major routes to the south | |
| West | Along Mississippi River, Ohio rivers mouths off Tennessee Cumberland |
Infections killed a great deal of soldiers. 220,000 for the Union.
Antiseptics: Gum killing
substances were unknown.
Anesthetics: Pain killers were rare
Amputations.
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