Slide 1The Civil War- Strategic OverviewRoots of WarLincoln’s Election & Its ImpactFort SumterAmerica DividedConfederate War Aims & Grand strategySouth’s Military Strategy- “Offensive Defensive”Northern AdvantagesSouth’s AdvantagesThe Border States“Anaconda Plan”First Manassas (Bull Run) (July 1861)First Manassas- Map overview“There stands Jackson like a Stone Wall”Western Theater- 1861-1862Role of Union NavyGeneral Ulysses S. GrantWestern Theater 1861-1862Fort HenryFort Donelson- February , 1862Fort Donelson- Feb 14, 1862Breakout Attempt-15 FebPrelude to ShilohBattle of Shiloh- Confederate Battle PlanShiloh- ExecutionShiloh- Second Day- 7 April 1862Battle of Shiloh- ResultsAssessment- OverviewAssessment- Battles of 1862:Assessment- 31Chapter 4: The Civil War -18612The Civil War- Strategic Overview •False Expectations & Total War–Contrary to all expectations- Civil War lasted 4 years–Took more than 1 or 2 decisive battles as originally thought•Impact of Total War: Change both North & South forever–Would change forever their Politics, Economy, & Society–Both sides used large amounts of arms–Deployed & employed their forces w/steamships & rr–Communicated by telegraph & used propaganda•Repressed dissent & suspended constitutional freedoms–Conscripted men to serve & taxed its citizens to fund–Attacked Civilians (3rd year) and destroyed property on purpose–Nothing came close to it in Europe since worst of 30 years wars3Roots of War•Root & immediate Causes:–Central Issue: South’s right to secede from the Union–At the core was South’s insistence on state’s right to hold slaves•Support its economy and societal- cultural way of life•Northern states rejected right of South to secede–Initially the vast majority in North fought to maintain the Union–Later during the war a growing majority sided with abolitionists•Led by Radical Republicans of the NE in key Congressional positions –Also believed slavery inconsistent with core American principles •When both sides could no longer compromise=> crisis: –Taney’s Dred Scott Decision overturned Missouri Compromise –Direct confrontation over “peculiar institution” came to a head•A great crisis soon arose with election of who?4Lincoln’s Election & Its Impact •South felt it lost control of Federal Government–20 Dec 1860 South Carolina votes to secede –Soon followed by MS, AL, LA, GA, FL, & TX•All would join SC to form Confederate States of America•Eight others initially voted against secession:–NC, TN, VA, AK, MD, KY, MO, & DL •Then SC took decisive action against the Union–Forcing Lincoln to act–What forced Lincoln’s hand?5Fort Sumter•April 12, 1861: SC bombards Fort Sumter–Surrenders 14 April–Significance?•Lincoln now forced to act:–Requests Congress for authority for 75K 90 day call up–Objective: repress rebellion with Federal troops•What does Lincoln’s action precipitate?6America Divided•Lincoln’s Call Up triggers 2nd wave of secession–VA, AK, NC, TN votes to secede rather than comply•By June Confederacy held 11 states –9.4 Million total population (5.5M whites & rest slaves)•Both an asset wrt labor source vs. liability wrt potential security problem7Confederate War Aims & Grand strategy •South’s War Aim: maintain de facto independence–Resist North until it tires of the struggle–Force North to accept reality of South’s independence•South’s strategy soon modified to defend borders–Military strength between two not that different at first–Southern states’ political pressure to defend local areas–Conventional defense viewed with greater legitimacy–Slavery requires stability to preclude slave rebellion•Northern invasion would promote insurrection & safe havens•Result: “Passive Defense” strategy rejected –Jefferson Davis (Robert E. Lee) => “Active Defense”8South’s Military Strategy- “Offensive Defensive” •Offensive–Defensive Strategy (Davis & Lee)=>–Await Union thrust into South to develop•Gauge North’s axis of advance & prepare to attack•Employ Tactical offense while on Strategic defense–Concentrate Southern forces & counter attack•Chose place & time best for South & defeat North in detail•This strategy’s success relies on what key assumption?–A brief war consisting of one or two decisive battles–Otherwise=> North will gain significant advantage•Why will North gain the advantage if war takes longer?9Northern Advantages•North possesses significant advantages over South:–Greater population & ability to feed it–Long established government, Army, & Navy•16K man Army in being & 90 ship standing Navy•More industrial power & capacity & economic structure–Established infrastructure: roads, shipping, & rail roads:South lacks all theseAdvantages…10South’s Advantages•North has to mobilize its inherent advantages–Mobilization will take time •South has its own inherent advantages:–North must project its forces into the South to win–South has loyal populations•South is fighting on the defense and on its own soil –Therefore it can exploit interior lines of communication (LOC)–Selectively concentrate on Union columns projected into South–South is defending its homeland (motivating factor)–Slave labor can keep farms going while white men fight•Lincoln must maintain broad support=> reunion (hard)–Both sides must protect their capitals from attack (rudder orders)11The Border States•Significance & role of Border States? –Strategic position & economic resources –Population & source of manpower & political support –Result: Both sides will fight to win Border States•Key Border States:–Western Virginia: tied geo. & $$$ closer to Ohio Valley•Disagreed w/VA east coast & supported & courted by North– Kentucky: also tied geo. & $$$ to Ohio Valley•60% would fight for Union side- rest for South –Literally brother versus brother/son versus father–Missouri: majority pro-union w/large minority for South•Initially under South’s control (Price); but ejected by Curtis•Vicious GW ensues, but Lincoln holds border states- barely12 “Anaconda Plan”•Winfield Scott’s strategy:–Blockade South’s ports & RR hubs–March strong column down Mississippi River & cut off west –Wait for South to be “starved” into submission & surrender•Plan’s assessment: –Good overall strategy •Eventually