World History

(American Civil War)

War within a country
Most important movement (American war of independence) in American history for freedom and equality. It was fought for
five years from 1861 to 1865 between Northern (capitalistic and anti-slavery states) and Southern states (Plantation/lands and
to maintain this they needed large slave labour, so they were Pro-slavery). Federation of North states emerged as winner and
slavery was abolished.
Reasons (Anti-slavery movement of Northern States)

Capitalism: South slave population as a market for industrialist of north.

Humanism: Independence of declaration by Thomas Jefferson, humanism and welfare are basic tenets.

Inspiration: France abolished slavery in Haiti in 1789, Britain abolished slavery in 1773. (So, it was shameful for
USA to still continue slavery even after it being abolished).

These were the major three reasons why slavery was demanded to abolished.
Important Events

Purchase of Louisiana: In 1820 from Napoleonic France. Extended America from Appalachian mountains to
Rockies. Created a question on whether new states will have slavery or not.

Missouri Agreement of 1820: America was not in a position to face Civil War, so Missouri was declared a slave
state.

Back door policy of capitalist states: Capitalist lobby adopted back door policy for anti-slave movements.

Started Anti-slavery Society in 1833

Garrison (Journalist, USA) published "Liberator". It was for anti-slavery movement and against slavery.

Uncle Tom's Cabin ( a novel) by Mr. Stowers: Emotional attack, describing inhuman and pathetic condition of
slave states.

Retaliation of South: South started increasing Slave states by fair and foul means. Kansas and Nebraska forcefully
converted into slave states. this ruptured the fragile relationship between north and south. It lead to origin of Republican
Party (Abraham Lincoln in 1861).
Republican Party
Came into existence in March 20, 1854. The sole agenda was abolishing slavery in America. Their famous President
Abraham Lincoln got elected in 1861. This was warning for Slave states which led to beginning of Civil War.
Important! Civil War per se (in details) is not important for UPSC. However, you must become aware for pre civil war
conditions of USA.
Role of Abraham Lincoln
Elected from Republican Party in 1861.

He changed the issue of war: War started with slavery as the issue, he transformed it to 'Unity of Federation'. So he
involved and evoked the emotions of Americans.

Role of volunteers: Lincoln took help of volunteers to promote message of story of birth of America, created
confusion among the opposite party.

13th Constitutional Amendment Act 1865: Abraham Lincoln was successful in arousing the emotions among
American people, and somehow got amendment passed, abolished slavery and gained huge supports of AfricanAmerican population.

Personal contribution of Abraham Lincoln: Direct participation in capture of Orleans and battle of Gittensburg, eliminated
hurdles for growth of capitalism and due to his efforts America emerged as a World Power post.
The American Civil War, waged from 1861 to 1865, is remembered on this date. Before and during the Civil War, the North
and South differed greatly on economic issues. The war was about slavery, but primarily about its economic consequences.
The northern elite wanted economic expansion that would change the southern (slave-holding) way of life. The southern
states saw Abraham Lincoln and the Republicans making enormous changes to their way of life using free slave labor.
Southerners believed that Abraham Lincoln, if elected, would restrict their rights to own slaves. When Lincoln became
president 11 southern states seceded rather than to give up their economic system and their way of life. Lincoln and the North
opposed the South's withdrawal.
The president steadfastly maintained throughout the war that the secession was illegal and that the newly formed Confederate
States of America was not valid as a new nation. Both sides knew that the financial advantages of slavery (not the moral
position) were in conflict between them. Slavery translated into money for the southern region. Lincoln had hoped that the
secession would end without conflict. But when Lincoln was elected to the presidency in 1860, 11 southern states broke
away from the federal union that had existed since the ratification of the Constitution. Immediate sparks that set off the Civil
War include John Browns raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859, which Brown, a White abolitionist undertook as part of his mission
to free slaves. The Union Army trying to repossess the federal base at Fort Sumter fired the first shots of the Civil War.
The North held many advantages over the South during the Civil War. Its population was several times that of the South, a
potential source for military enlistees and civilian manpower. The South lacked the substantial number of factories and
industries of the North that produced needed war materials. The North had a better transportation network, mainly highways,
canals, and railroads, which could be easily used to re-supply military forces in the field. At sea, the Union navy was more
capable and dominant, while the army was better trained and better supplied. The rest of the world also recognized the
United States as a legitimate government, allowing U.S. diplomats to obtain loans and other trade concessions.
The South had fewer advantages, but among them that the South fought on its home terrain. The South also had a military
tradition that encouraged young men to serve in the armed forces or attend a military school; many had served the U.S.
military before the Civil War, only to resign and fight for their states and family. In addition, the South had the leadership of
great commanders, including Robert E. Lee, Joseph Johnston, and "Stonewall" Jackson.
As disadvantages, the South had to worry about its slave population, which posed the threat of rebellion and assistance to the
Northern cause. Regardless of the financial interest of Whites (North or South), African-Americans wanted to be free from
slavery. The southern fears were worsened when the North issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which legally ended
slavery in all territories held by Union troops, but not in all areas of the North, such as loyal, but slave-owning, states along
the borders of the two powers. Had the North tried to free slaves in these areas, more aid would have been generated for the
South, and slave-owning Maryland's secession would leave the U.S. capital to the Confederates.
In addition, the North suffered because a series of senior generals did not successfully exploit the weaknesses of the South,
nor did they act upon the suggestions of their President. Lincoln finally got his desired general in Ulysses S. Grant, who had
solidified the Union's control of the West in parts of the Mississippi River Basin. Grant directed the defeat of Southern forces
and strongholds and held off determined advances northward by Confederates on several occasions before the surrender by
Lee to Grant took place in 1865.
To defeat the South, the North had to achieve several goals: 1. Secure Control of the Mississippi River to allow unimpeded
movement of needed Western goods; 2. Cut off the South from international traders and smugglers that could aid the
Southern war effort; 3. Take the Confederate army out of action to prevent further northward attacks such as that at
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and to ease the battle losses of the North; 4. Stop the South's ability to produce needed goods and
war materials.
The South had to counter these measures with its own plans to capitalize on early victories, weakening the Northern resolve
to fight; to get international recognition as a sovereign state; and to keep Union forces from seizing Confederate territory.

The South did not accomplish its goals, and after four years of fighting, the North won the war. The troublesome, negative
conflict has cast a shadow on the successes of America ever since. The country had to find ways to heal the wounds of war
duringReconstruction which fell to the political and innermost values of whites in the South and the North.