Civil War Battles
Standard SS5H1 The student will explain the causes, major events and consequences of the Civil War.
c. Identify major battles and campaigns: Fort Sumter, Gettysburg, the Atlanta Campaign, Sherman's March to the Sea and Appomattox Court House.
d. Describe the roles of Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, Jefferson Davis and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson
c. Identify major battles and campaigns: Fort Sumter, Gettysburg, the Atlanta Campaign, Sherman's March to the Sea and Appomattox Court House.
d. Describe the roles of Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, Jefferson Davis and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson
Fort Sumter--The Beginning of the Civil War
Fort Sumter, in South Carolina, was where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. Click here see an animated video/map of the Battle of Fort Sumter. For more information follow this link to ushistory.org.
The Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point in the Civil War. The confederates had won a series of battles and were fighting in Pennsylvania, northern territory, for the only time in the war. If they had won the Battle of Gettysburg and continued advancing, the war may have ended very differently. See an animated version of the Battle of Gettysburg here. For more information about Gettysburg visit ushistory.org. You can also get a great overview of the battle at History.com.
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The Atlanta Campaign
General Sherman conducted a military campaign straight down into the heart of the south. His goal was to destroy southern morale and end the war. The website linked here will provide all the details you could want in an animated version of the Battle of Atlanta. To learn more about the North's plan to end the war visit the us history.org page on the Atlanta Campaign.
Videos: Battle of Atlanta by History.com |
Sherman's March to the Sea
After destroying Atlanta, General Sherman continued to march his army from Atlanta, all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. His purpose was to use total war, destroying everything in his path, including homes and farms. He hoped that if they did enough destruction, then the south would no longer want to continue the war. His march concluded in December of 1864. By April of 1865, the South surrendered. To view an animation and learn more about Sherman's March click here.
The End of the War--Appomattox
After Sherman's long march to the sea, crippled the south's ability to continue fighting, Robert E. Lee finally surrendered at Appomattox Court House, following a series of battles. To see animation of the final battles of the war leading up to Appomattox click here. For more information about Appomattox visit ushistory.org.
People of the Civil War
Abraham Lincoln (President of the United States)
Abraham Lincoln was elected as president in 1860. This upset the south because Lincoln was anti-slavery, and they did not want a president who openly opposed slavery. This became one of the final events that led to the southern states seceding from the USA.
In 1863 Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves. This event helped prevent the French or British from helping the south. The south refused to free their slaves and the French and British, who had been supportive of the south in trying to gain their independence, were completely opposed to slavery. Lincoln, was assassinated on April 15, 1865, only 6 days after the war ended. Click here for a website with everything you could ever want to know about Lincoln. Beware, it is very overwhelming. To learn about Lincoln's assassination at the hands of John Wilkes Booth click here. Ulysses S. Grant (Union Commander)
Grant became the leader of the Union Army part way through the Civil War and was important to the Union victory. Following the Civil War he became the 18th president of the United States. For more info about Grant, click here.
William T. Sherman (Union General)
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Jefferson Davis (President of the Confederacy)
Davis was elected president of the Confederate States of America in 1861 and remained the president throughout the Civil War. Click here, for additional info about Davis.
Robert E. Lee (Confederate Commander)
Abraham Lincoln asked Robert E. Lee to lead the Union Army. Even though Lee did not particularly like slavery, he felt that he had to be loyal to his home state of Virginia, which was seceding. Lee became the head of the Confederate Army and a key advisor to Jefferson Davis. Lee surrendered to U.S. Grant on April 9, 1865, ending the Civil War. I have linked a site with basic information about Lee and a more advanced website.
Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson (Confederate General)Stonewall Jackson was one of the key confederate Generals who was remembered for his bravery, as his nickname indicates. Jackson died of a wound he received at the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1864. When he died General Lee said, "I know not how to replace him." For additional info about Stonewall, click here.
Clara Barton
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