Secession of the seven Deep South States

5.3 The Road to War

The American Civil War and Reconstruction

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Analyze the political and economic factors that contributed to the secession of the seven Deep South states in the lead-up to the Civil War.

Discuss the role of slavery in the outbreak of the American Civil War. How did the issue of slavery divide the nation and contribute to the escalation of tensions that led to war?

Evaluate the effectiveness of Abraham Lincoln's efforts to prevent the secession of the Southern states and preserve the Union. Consider both his political and military strategies.

Examine the military strategies employed by the Union and Confederacy during the early stages of the Civil War. How did these strategies shape the course of the war and the eventual outcome?

Analyze the impact of key battles, such as Fort Sumter, Antietam, and Gettysburg, on the trajectory and outcome of the American Civil War.

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Secession of the seven Deep South States

5.3 The Road to War: Secession and the Civil War

The Deep South Secedes:

⭐1860: Abraham Lincoln, a Republican candidate opposed to the expansion of slavery, is elected President. This victory triggered a wave of secession in the Deep South.
⭐December 1860 – February 1861: South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas seceded from the Union.
⭐February 1861: Confederate States of America is formed with Jefferson Davis as its president.

The Civil War Begins:

⭐April 12, 1861: Confederate forces fire upon Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, marking the beginning of the Civil War.
⭐The Union: Northern states loyal to the United States government, led by President Lincoln, aimed to preserve the Union and abolish slavery.
⭐The Confederacy: Southern states, led by President Davis, fought to maintain their way of life, including slavery.

Key Turning Points:

⭐1862: Battle of Antietam (Maryland) – a Union victory that prevented Confederate expansion into the North, leading to the Emancipation Proclamation.
⭐1863: Battle of Gettysburg (Pennsylvania) – a decisive Union victory that marked the turning point of the war.
⭐1863: Emancipation Proclamation – Lincoln declared that slaves in Confederate-held territories were to be freed. This shifted the war from simply preserving the Union to also fighting for the end of slavery.

The War's End:

⭐1865: Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia.
⭐1865: Confederate President Jefferson Davis was captured and imprisoned.
⭐April 14, 1865: President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth.

The Impact of the Civil War:

⭐The Union was preserved.
⭐Slavery was abolished.
⭐The war resulted in over 600,000 deaths, making it the deadliest conflict in American history.
⭐It marked a major turning point in American history, impacting social, political, and economic landscapes for generations to come.

Further Reading:

⭐"The Civil War" by Shelby Foote
⭐"The Killer Angels" by Michael Shaara
⭐"Battle Cry of Freedom" by James McPherson

Remember: This is a simplified overview of a very complex historical period. For a deeper understanding, further research and reading are encouraged.