Civil+War


 * __ Civil War (1861-1865) __**

The Civil War began as a struggle to restore the Union after a complex series of events led to the secession of southern states. By the time of the surrender of Fort Sumter, numerous compromises over the spread of slavery had been attempted and had failed.

Both the North and the South were confident of victory at first. The South had superior military leadership and the advantage of fighting a defensive war on its own territory, while the North had a larger population, a strong industrial base, and more resources. Nevertheless, the Civil War was destined to last four violent years, tearing apart families and causing the death of more Americans than any other war the United States has fought.

At first Lincoln handled the issue of slavery carefully, keeping in mind that four Border States with slaves remained in the Union. However, by 1862, Lincoln recognized that he needed to broaden the goals of the war. To announce a plan to free slaves, Lincoln waited for a Union victory, which he got at Antietam. Then on January 1st, 1863, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Although it did not immediately free slaves, it changed the war into a struggle to end slavery and paved the way for the Thirteenth Amendment (1865), which banned slavery in all the states of the unified nation. Ironically, although the Civil War was the bloodiest conflict the United States has ever fought, it served to reunite the nation instead of tearing it further apart. (Adapted from textbook)


 * __ Timeline Activity __**

Fill in your timeline notes using the link below to search for the information of the key events of the Civil War.

Full Timeline

Below is a blank copy of the Timeline notes if you have lost them.
 * [|Civil War Timeline Notes.doc] ||  ||


 * [|Strengths and Weaknesses of the North and South] ||
 * Emancipation Proclamation ||
 * Emancipation Proclamation ||

__** Key Battles Activity **__

Key Battles
 * 1) 1st Battle of Bull Run
 * 2) Battle of Antietam
 * 3) Battle of Gettysburg
 * 4) Fall of Atlanta
 * 5) Sherman's March to the Sea
 * 6) Surrender at Appomattox Court House


 * __Civil War Activity__ **

Civil War Technology and Improvements

Technology Slide Show

__**General Knowledge Links**__

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