Social Studies Unit 2 B Lesson 6 the wars end

Appomattox Court House

a Virginia town that was the site of the Confederate surrender in 1865

Pickett's Charge

a failed Confederate charge at the Battle of Gettysburg

siege

a military blockade or encirclement of an enemy town or position with the purpose of forcing it to surrender

Battle of Gettysburg

an 1863 Civil War battle in Pennsylvania that ended in a Union victory and stopped the Confederate invasion of the North

total war

an all-out war that affects civilians at home as well as soldiers in combat

Philip Bazaar

an immigrant from Chile who enlisted in the United States Navy and was awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery during the assault on Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865

Gettysburg Address

the speech made by President Lincoln in 1863 after the Battle of Gettysburg

Gettysburg: July 1-3, 1863

A turning point in the war, this three-day battle claimed more than 50,000 casualties. On the third day, General Lee directed General George E. Pickett to attack the Union line in its center. Pickett's Charge, as it was called, failed—half the men were killed or captured—and the battle was lost. Lee withdrew, but Union troops failed to destroy the retreating Confederate Army.

Cold Harbor: June 3, 1864

Approximately 7,000 Union soldiers were cut down by Confederate gunfire in the first few minutes of this bloody battle. "I have always regretted that the last assault at Cold Harbor was ever made," said Grant. It was a defensive victory for the Confederates

First Bull Run (Manassas): July 21, 1861

Confederate General Thomas Jackson stood his ground like "a stone wall." Union troops, shocked at Confederate tenacity and overwhelmed by Confederate reinforcements, retreated in disorder to Washington, D.C. Confederate confidence soared with this first victory.

Vicksburg: May-July, 1863

Controlling Vicksburg meant controlling the southern Mississippi River. Union General Ulysses S. Grant laid siege for weeks during May and June. The weakened city finally fell on July 4, 1863.

The text states that Grant was known as "Unconditional Surrender" Grant. Based on the meaning of that nickname, what can you infer about his character?

Grant's nickname suggested he was a bold, meticulous man who would not be open to negotiation and would only accept complete surrender from his enemies. His harsh character is reflected in his plan to wage "total war" against the South, which would have the army destroy everything in its path.

What did Union troops do during Sherman's March to the Sea?

His troops waged total war to destroy anything useful to the Confederacy.

Antietam (Sharpsburg): September 17, 1862

In a single day, more than 22,000 men were killed or wounded. The Battle of Antietam is still the bloodiest single day in American history. The Union called it a victory, and Lincoln used it as an opportunity to announce the Emancipation Proclamation.

What principle did President Lincoln emphasize in both his First and Second Inaugural Addresses?

In both speeches, Lincoln emphasized the importance of the Union.

What ultimately ended the war?

Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House after Union troops trapped him.

The text states that Lincoln's Gettysburg Address is "a profound statement of American ideals." What phrases did Lincoln use in his speech to remind his listeners of American ideals?

Lincoln quoted the ideals of equality from the Declaration of Independence, which states that "all men are created equal." He also expressed his conviction that "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." These phrases made listeners remember the democratic ideals on which America was founded.

In Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, what did he make abundantly clear?

Lincoln said the Civil War would determine the survival of a nation dedicated to freedom and equality.

Why did the Confederates lose at Gettysburg?

The Union forces held the high ground throughout the fighting.

Atlanta: July-September 1864

The flight to capture Atlanta was a series of actions. Brilliant maneuvering by General William T. Sherman forced the Confederates to abandon the great city. Union soldiers occupied it the next day—and burned much of it. Sherman left it "smoldering and in ruins."

What was the most important result of the Union's triumph at the Battle of Vicksburg and the capture of Port Hudson?

The most important result was that the Union controlled the entire Mississippi River.

Why were the battles of Vicksburg and Gettysburg turning points in the war?

The surrender of Vicksburg and the Union victory at Gettysburg, which occurred just a day apart, turned the war in favor of the Union. Vicksburg helped secure the entire Mississippi River for the Union. The Union victory at Gettysburg stopped Lee's invasion of the North and ensured that he would never invade again. The loss also weakened the Confederate army.

What supports the statement, "The Civil War was a major turning point in American history"?

There were crucial firsts that turned America toward a different course as a result of the Civil War. First, "the balance of power was changed" so the federal government held more power than individual states and "the idea that each state might secede . . . was dead." In addition, "the war put an end to slavery" permanently throughout the United States, which upheld the "ideals of liberty and equality" for all, the basis on which the country was founded.

Appomattox Court House: April 9, 1865

This tiny settlement made history as the place of the Confederate surrender. General Robert E. Lee, a brilliant strategist, knew further resistance would result in loss of life without hope of victory. The war was over.

Why is the Civil War considered to be a major turning in point in history?

Prior to the war, there was always a question about whether states could secede from the Union or not. There was also the issue of slavery that seemed to influence many major decisions. The Civil War ended both of those issues once and for all. Sectionalism seemed to fade away as well as people began to see themselves as citizens of a nation rather than a collection of states.

Explain the effects of total war as Sheridan and Sherman carried out their orders from Grant.

Sheridan "marched through the valley, destroying farms and livestock." His troops "burned 2,000 barns filled with grain." In Atlanta, Sherman's troops started "turning the people of Atlanta out of their homes and burning a large part of the city." As Sherman's troops marched to the sea, they ripped up railroad tracks, killed livestock, and tore up fields. They burned barns, homes, bridges, and factories.

Shiloh: April 6-7, 1862

he two sides suffered more than 10,000 casualties each. It was a Union victory, but heavy losses led officials to urge Lincoln to replace General Ulysses S. Grant, who commanded the Union forces at Shiloh. Lincoln responded, "I can't spare this man—he fights!"