Later stages of the Civil War part 2

Summary

In 1864, the U.S. Civil War entered a crucial phase, marked by General Sherman’s March to the Sea and President Lincoln’s reelection campaign. Sherman sought to break Southern morale by destroying infrastructure and supply lines, culminating in the capture of Atlanta. Meanwhile, Lincoln faced political challenges, with some Republicans pushing for a more punitive approach to the South. The election of 1864 was pivotal, with soldiers' votes playing a key role in Lincoln’s victory. Sherman's success further solidified the Union's path to victory, leading to the eventual surrender of the Confederacy.

Takeaways

• 😀 In 1863, after the Battle of Gettysburg, General Lee is forced to retreat, and Ulysses S. Grant gains control of Mississippi and Tennessee.
• 😀 In 1864, General Grant shifts his focus from the Western to the Eastern theater of the war, targeting General Lee's forces in Richmond.
• 😀 William Tecumseh Sherman is tasked with leading a campaign of total war to weaken the South's morale, targeting civilians and infrastructure.
• 😀 Sherman's March to the Sea begins in 1864, with the goal of destroying Southern infrastructure and supplies to make the war unbearable for civilians.
• 😀 Sherman captures Atlanta in September 1864, a crucial victory that contributes to the Union's military success and strengthens Lincoln's reelection bid.
• 😀 The 1864 U.S. presidential election is significant as it is the first wartime election since 1812, and soldiers cast ballots by mail or leave.
• 😀 President Lincoln faces reelection in a difficult political environment, with some Republicans calling for harsher measures against the South and some Democrats wanting peace negotiations.
• 😀 Lincoln's vice-presidential candidate, Andrew Johnson, was selected to appeal to the border states and Democrats, though Johnson's post-assassination presidency would be very different from Lincoln's vision.
• 😀 The Democratic candidate, General George McClellan, advocated for continuing the war but was not as aggressive as Grant or Sherman, and his party had internal divisions on war goals.
• 😀 Southern hopes for a McClellan victory to end the war and secure independence are dashed as Lincoln's campaign gains momentum following key military victories.
• 😀 Lincoln wins a decisive victory in the 1864 election, fueled by strong support from soldiers and military successes, securing his mandate to finish the war with unconditional surrender and end slavery.
• 😀 Sherman completes his March to the Sea in December 1864, offering the city of Savannah to President Lincoln as a Christmas gift, marking the culmination of his campaign through Georgia.

Q & A

What military strategy did Ulysses S. Grant adopt to weaken the Confederacy during the Civil War?

Grant employed the Anaconda Plan, which aimed to suffocate the South by gaining control of key strategic locations such as the Mississippi River and Tennessee. This limited the South’s ability to move troops and supplies.

Why did General William Tecumseh Sherman conduct his March to the Sea?

Sherman’s March to the Sea was designed to destroy Southern morale by cutting through Georgia, destroying infrastructure, and creating widespread devastation. His goal was to make life unbearable for civilians, thereby weakening the Confederate cause.

How did the Union victories, especially Sherman’s capture of Atlanta, influence the 1864 election?

Sherman’s capture of Atlanta provided a significant military victory for the Union, bolstering Lincoln’s chances in the 1864 election. The victory helped shift public opinion in favor of Lincoln and showcased the Union’s progress in the war.

What was the role of Andrew Johnson in the 1864 election, and why was he chosen as Lincoln’s running mate?

Andrew Johnson, a former slaveholder from Tennessee, was chosen as Lincoln's running mate to appeal to voters in border states and Democrats who might support a more conciliatory approach toward the South. His selection was aimed at broadening Lincoln's support base.

What was the main conflict within the Democratic Party during the 1864 election?

The Democratic Party was divided over the war. Some Democrats wanted to continue fighting but with a focus on peace and ending slavery, while others, including George McClellan, supported the war but favored negotiations with the South for a peace settlement.

Why were many in the South hopeful that Lincoln would lose the 1864 election?

Many in the South believed that if a pro-South candidate like McClellan won, there would be a chance to end the war on terms favorable to the Confederacy, potentially securing their independence and continuing slavery.

How did soldiers' votes impact the outcome of the 1864 election?

The votes of soldiers, who overwhelmingly supported Lincoln, were crucial in securing his victory. Lincoln’s campaign slogan 'Vote As You Shot' emphasized the strong support from Union troops, which gave him a decisive mandate.

What was the significance of Lincoln’s victory in the 1864 election for the future of the Civil War?

Lincoln’s re-election provided him with a strong mandate to finish the war with an unconditional surrender of the South, which helped ensure the abolition of slavery and the preservation of the Union.

What is the historical context of Lincoln’s re-election in 1864, considering past presidential re-election patterns?

Lincoln’s re-election in 1864 was historically significant because no president had been re-elected in over 30 years, with Andrew Jackson being the last to achieve re-election in 1832. This made Lincoln’s victory even more remarkable.

What did General Sherman offer President Lincoln as a Christmas present in December 1864?

In December 1864, after completing his March to the Sea, General Sherman sent a telegram to President Lincoln offering the city of Savannah, Georgia, as a Christmas gift, marking a major Union victory and strategic gain.