Notes from 12/2

Fort Sumter

At the start of Lincoln's first term, several states had already seceded. His main goal was to preserve the Union and put down rebellion
Lincoln feared the secession of Upper South states (MO, KY, DE, MD)
Fort Sumter, South Carolina was sent provisions, but not weapons. The South attacked the fort before provisions arrived.
As a result, war broke out. VA, NC, AK, TN allied with the Confederates

Politics

Confederate armies attempted to control western territories to cut the Union off from the Mississippi and gold and silver mines
The Union quickly solidified control of the northern West by building railroads
Confederates thought England and France would support them, weakening the US and promoting cotton sales
The Union blockaded the South and minimized losses to prevent looking weak

Mobilization

Neither side was prepared militarily or financially
Neither side predicted more than 6 months of fighting
In the South, citizens felt higher taxes and drafts went against their reasons for secession
90% of able white males fought for the South, most volunteers (page 400)
Many Union soldiers were volunteers as well, for wages, excitement, or honor

Problems with Confederacy

Decentralized: Considered themselves independent countries fighting the same war
States' Rights: Wary of a strong president, federal controls seemed like “Lincolnism”
Class Bias: “A rich man's war but a poor man's fight.” Laws protected the wealthy from fighting. Black soldiers not allowed*
Jefferson Davis: Unable to relate to commoners, stressed and depressed*
Slave economy: Inflation, wealth held by very few, industry underdeveloped, shortages

Draft

Both sides offered ways out of fighting:
Substitution
Commutation - $300
The poorest citizens felt the war did not apply to them and could not afford commutation. Riots broke out around the country, many racially charged.
NYC draft riots in 1863 lasted 3 days and involved 50,000. Up to 100 casualties
Lincoln diverted troops from DC to quell riots

$

Union capital was greater and far more organized than the Confederacy
Both governments preferred selling war bonds to raising taxes
“Greenbacks” printed, though many doubted their worth
Paper money was well regulated in the North. The South overprinted money as the war worsened and inflation rose.

Was Lincoln Evil?

Is it unconstitutional to leave the Union?
Lincoln sent troops into border states before fighting broke out
Mass arrests
Newspapers shut down
Suspension of habeas corpus
Emergency declarations
Laws were passed with only half a Congress
Use of military to enforce laws
Does the Constitution allow for greater executive powers during emergencies?

Slavery

1861 Confiscation Act: US seizes all property used to aid the South, including slaves
(Northern slaves were still OK)
1862 Confiscation Act: seized slaves were now “forever free”
Sept. 1862: after winning Antietam, Lincoln leaks the Emancipation Proclamation four months early. Rebel slaves were now completely free. I guess.
The EP threatened and demoralized the South while solidifying power in the North

http://www.civilwarphotos.net/files/lincoln_assassination.htm

Effects of the Civil War

Abolition wins
1863: The Emancipation Proclamation sets Confederate slaves free
Translation: war was now about Union AND slavery
Hope that foreign abolitionist nations (England, France) might take the side of the North
13th Amendment freed slaves
14th Amendment gave black men the vote
15th Amendment gave equal rights
In the South: “A rich man's war and a poor man's fight”

Effects

Women's sphere grows to include nursing, war activism, running family businesses
Nativism gives way to more ethnic tolerance
The federal government becomes truly supreme over the states
Government gets bigger. “Activist state” supports economic growth through incentives
As a result, business grows bigger.
Railroads, Steel, Oil
“Incorporated America”