MILITARY Conflict in the CIVIL WAR [APUSH Review Unit 5 Topic 8] Period 5: 1844-1877

Summary

In this episode of Heimler's History, the focus is on the Civil War, exploring why the Union emerged victorious despite initial uncertainties. Key factors included the North's superior population, economic strength, and naval power. The video contrasts the strategies of both sides, highlighting the Union's Anaconda Plan and the South's reliance on foreign aid. It also discusses internal opposition, such as the New York City Draft Riots, and pivotal moments like the Battle of Vicksburg. The Emancipation Proclamation is revealed as a strategic move that reshaped the war's narrative and deterred foreign support for the Confederacy.

Takeaways

• 🇺🇸 The Civil War was a pivotal conflict in U.S. history, with the Union's victory shaped by various strategic, economic, and social factors.
• 🔍 Initially, the outcome of the Civil War was uncertain, as both the Union and the Confederacy had their own set of advantages.
• 🏰 The South's advantage lay in fighting a defensive war, with experienced military leaders like Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson.
• 🌐 The North, however, had a population roughly four times larger than the South, a robust navy, and a more established central government.
• 🏭 The North's industrial capacity and economic strength, including control over banks, manufacturing, and railroads, gave it a significant edge.
• 💵 Both sides had to mobilize their economies for total war, with the North modernizing its production and the South relying on tariffs and taxes.
• 🚢 The Union's naval blockade was a crucial strategy, effectively cutting off the South from international trade and support.
• 🔥 The South's hope for foreign aid, particularly from Britain and France, was diminished as alternative cotton sources emerged.
• 🔍 The Union's leadership improved over time, with generals like Ulysses S. Grant emerging to turn the tide of the war.
• 📜 The Emancipation Proclamation was a strategic move that not only aimed to free enslaved people in the Confederacy but also to prevent foreign support for the South.
• 🔥 Key Union victories, such as the Battle of Vicksburg and General Sherman's March to the Sea, severely damaged the Confederacy's infrastructure and morale.

Q & A

What was the main question the video aimed to answer?

The video aimed to answer the question: 'What were the various factors that contributed to the Union victory in the Civil War?'

What advantages did the South have at the outset of the Civil War?

The South had the advantage of fighting a defensive war, experienced military leaders like Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, and a strong military tradition.

What advantages did the North have over the South in the Civil War?

The North had advantages in population (about four times larger), a robust navy, economic strength (with most banks and manufacturing districts), and an established central government.

Why did the South struggle financially during the Civil War?

The South struggled financially due to Union naval blockades, which hindered its ability to trade, and its reliance on tariffs and taxes on exports was insufficient.

What was one significant form of opposition to the war in the North?

One significant example of opposition in the North was the New York City Draft Riots of 1863, where working-class men protested the draft law that allowed the wealthy to buy their way out of military service.

How did the Confederacy respond to the Union's efforts to resupply Fort Sumter?

The Confederacy chose to fire on the Union supply ships, marking the first official shot of the Civil War at Fort Sumter.

What was the Anaconda Plan?

The Anaconda Plan was the Union's strategy to blockade Southern ports and control the Mississippi River, effectively splitting the Confederacy in half.

Why did the South believe foreign nations like Britain and France might support their cause?

The South believed that the need for cotton in Britain and France would prompt these nations to support the Confederacy, as they relied heavily on Southern cotton for their textile industries.

What was the significance of the Emancipation Proclamation?

The Emancipation Proclamation freed enslaved people in Confederate states in rebellion, transforming the war's purpose into a fight against slavery and weakening potential foreign support for the South.

How did General Sherman contribute to the Union victory?

General Sherman contributed by capturing Atlanta, then conducting his infamous March to the Sea, where he destroyed Southern infrastructure, including railroads, crops, and land, making it difficult for the South to recover.