Chapter 21: The Furnace of Civil War 1861-1865 Flashcards
Why did the North win the Civil War? How might the South have won?
The North had many advantages that helped it to win the Civil War. They had a greater population from which to supply soldiers, as well as a more industrialized economy that could provide weapons and other necessities. Many slaves joined to fight for the North and rebelled against their masters by spying for the Union. The South did not allow them to fight until the end of the war, and by then they could not make a difference. If they had allowed slaves to fight earlier on, they might have fared better. The crash of the Southern economy because of the Union blockade as well as the crash in transportation caused the South to crumble. Battles such as the ones at Antietam and Gettysburg were also pivotal points in the war. At the battle of Antietam, the Union was able to hold strong as long as it did because two Union soldiers found a copy of Southern battle plans. Lee was eventually forced to turn back. This battle led to the Emancipation Proclamation, which caused many slaves to rise up in aid. By attacking Pennsylvania, the Confederates hoped to win foreign allies, but were disappointed with a victory for the Union. If the Confederacy had received aid from Europe as it hoped, then it might have won the war, but on it’s own against the North, it suffered serious disadvantages because of its monotonous economy.
- Should the Civil War be seen primarily as a war to save the Union or as a war to free the slaves? Why? What name would you give to the conflict
The Civil War was both a war to save the Union and a war to free the slaves. It started as a war to save the Union, but as the war progressed, it became a war for freedom as well. After the Battle at Antietam, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which called for the freedom of the slaves in the Confederate States. At this, many slaves revolted against their masters, and people were inspired to fight not only for the Union, but for slaves’ rights as well. The Civil War could be renamed the Divisionary War because it divided America in both geography and beliefs.
- What role did race and racism play in the Civil War? How did the war itself reflect and affect American attitudes toward race? Why were the black Union soldiers so critical in this regard? What impact did Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation have on the war and society?
Race and racism were quite prevalent in the Civil War. Both the North and the South demonstrated prejudices against black people. In the North, some people refused to accept volunteer blacks into the army. Many Northerners did not see the war as a fight over slavery, but instead viewed it as a fight over Union. The Confederacy was even more blatantly racist, refusing to enlist slaves until the very end of the war when they became desperate. Black men fighting for the Union fought with passion and dedication, however, becoming a critical part of the North’s army. They helped by adding manpower. Some slaves would even spy on their Southern Masters and report back to the Union. Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation had a major impact on society and the war. It affected the war by inspiring many more blacks to fight and causing racist soldiers to desert. It impacted society by taking a major step towards the total destruction of slavery. The War changed perspectives about race for the better, at least for some people. Many who once saw slaves as unfit to fight were proved wrong by the blacks’ passionate commitment. Unfortunately, many people were still very racist and did not treat blacks any better after the war.
- How does the popular image of the Civil War compare with the historical reality? Discuss the different perceptions and memories of the war in the North and South (for example, the popular images of Lee or Sherman in the two sections).
The popular image of the Civil War portrays white men from the North and South fighting each other with muskets, while the Generals nobly spurred the men on. It has become almost a picturesque battle in the minds of many. There are several aspects that are never considered, however. The war was actually very bloody and gory, and it was not only a war fought by white men. Women and blacks played a part as well; a very important part. Many blacks stepped in to fight for the North, despite resistance from racists. Others revolted against their masters by running away or spying on them. Women filled the positions that men left open so they could fight, and became nurses on the battlefield. Northerners generally perceived the war as a fight for the reunion of the states. As the war continued, abolitionism became a part of it as well, and the Northerners were fighting for union and freedom. In the South, people believed that they were fighting for state’s rights, but in reality, only one right was in the spotlight; slavery. Even popular pictures of Generals Lee and Sherman were different. Many overrated General Lee’s reputation. He was well respected in the South for his fighting prowess, and was feared and considered dangerous by the North. He actually had the highest casualty count of soldiers in the War. Sherman was known for his brutal bloody methods, but his strategy actually hastened the end of the war. Many Northerners looked down on his fighting as extremely cruel and as too harsh towards the Confederates, but he actually saved lives by quickening the end of the war.
