The Civil War: The Questions

Shots are Being fired. Explosions are Happening. Bombs are Being set off. War is Happening. People dying. “The American Civil war is the most devastating conflict the United States has ever fought. More than 620,000 people were killed or mortally wounded in battle or died of disease during the war. That’s almost as many as the number of Americans killed in all the country’s other wars put together.”(Don Nardo, The Civil War, A Nation Divided, the Long Road to the Civil War, 201)

Lincoln said In his First Inauguration Address “I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the states where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so” (Quoted in Shelby Foote, The Civil War , A Narrative . Vol. 1.)

What was the Battle of Fort Sumter?

The War began at Fort Sumter, South Carolina, on April 12,1861. The union troops had few supplies inside Fort Sumter. After 2 days of fighting, The union troops had to surrendered Fort Sumter to the confederates. Then, the confederate flag soon flew over the fort. The Confederates won the the first battle of the civil War. “Lincoln felt that it was further proof that the secessionists were rebels who were violating U.S law. He called for swift action, ‘We must settle this question now,’ He said, ‘Whether in a free government the minority have the right to break up the government whenever they choose’. On April 15, the president requested 75,000 volunteers to suppress the Rebellion” (Don Nardo, The Civil War, A Nation Divided, the Long Road to the Civil War, 2011) He knew that the Union must be preserved at all costs. As Lincoln foreseen, the attack on Fort Sumter united and inspired the north to go to War as no argument or persuasion could have done.

What did the President do after the Battle of Fort Sumter?

President Lincoln called for Soldiers to defend confederates. The Union Had a Nickname Some people call them Yankees because they wore blue Uniform and marched beneath the stars and stripes. The Confederates raised The Merrimac is a Iron Ship that destroyed two of the union’s best ships. Then the Union Decided to Build a Iron Ship Called Monitor. Monitor has been described as looking like a cheesebox on a raft.

For hours, the two Ships fought in vain. But Because neither vessel could do more than dent the other; neither side won. Still, This Battle did have an Result that was important. The value of ships that were made out of Ironclad was a contributing idea that was used by the navy. Wooden Ships of the world became outdated.

Who were the heroes of the Civil War?

There are many brave men fought on both sides of the Civil War. These men endured great Hardships–the Cold, hunger, pain, sickness, and sometimes Death. One courageous Union Soldier is William Harvey Carney, Rescued the “Stars and Stripes” from a wounded color sergeant in the heat of the battle of Fort Wagner. Robert E, Lee is the head of the confederate army and his most valuable assistant is Stonewall Jackson. President Lincoln’s most Valuable general is Ulysses S. Grant.

President Abraham Lincoln made the Emancipation Proclamation which is an announcement that was on January 1, 1863. Emancipation Proclamation declared the slaves in the south free. However, it is important to note that the slaves couldn’t be really free until the north won the Civil War. The Determination and ability of men, like the Confederate general Robert E. Lee and Union general William Tecumseh Sherman, helped the war come to an end.

What was the Battle Of Gettysburg?

In the spring of 1863, the Confederates push their troops which they decided. Robert E. Lee marched 70,000 men from Virginia to Pennsylvania. Three Days of fighting resulted in the death of over 7,000 Union and confederate men, and the south lost the battle of Gettysburg, Which was the turning point of the war. President Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address. 

What was the The Battle of Vicksburg?

On the Fourth of July 1863, General grant had defeated the confederates at Vicksburg , Mississippi. By Gaining control of Vicksburg, the Union army won control of Mississippi River. No longer could the confederates on one side of the river sending supplies to confederates on the other side. Although the south was cut in two, she still would not give up.

In 1864, He sent General William T. Sherman to capture Atlanta, Georgia, an Important city to the confederates. From There, He wanted Sherman to march to Savannah, Georgia, on the Atlantic Coast. Later, general grant had been fighting General Lee to capture Richmond Virginia, the Capital of the Confederate States. The Union troops surrounded the confederate army. The Confederates had been beaten in too many places . General Lee Knew there was nothing else he could do but surrender. On April 9, 1865, Lee meet Grant in a Farmhouse in the town of Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia. Grant wrote very generous terms of surrender. Like President Lincoln, Grant had no desire to hurt the south further.

What was the Result of the War?

At last, the soldiers could return to their homes, But Over 6,000 Americans lost their lives in the civil War. Peace had come after four Years of the war. The war had settled two important issues: No state could leave the union and there will be no more slavery in the United States. Just before the war ended, the people of the United States elected Abraham Lincoln to his second term as president. When Abraham Lincoln arrived at Ford Theater, Abraham Lincoln got shot in the balcony by John Wilkes Booth.

Our whole nation mourned the death of this great man. Then, His Vice President Became the President of the United States. Andrew Johnson Took the place of Abraham Lincoln. Andrew Johnson wanted to carry out Lincoln’s Wishes, Many men in Congress felt bitter toward the south. Once again, the men from the north and the south were willing to stand side by side to help their country. The Whole Nation Honored Abraham Lincoln, Because of Loyalty, Honesty (tells the truth, and is a Great Leader.

Why The Civil War is Important?

The Civil war is important for three distinct reasons. First, Slavery was ended and we no longer have that problem. Second, Equality in education, jobs, housing, voting, etc., have all been written into law. Third, The nation learned an important lesson about national unity and no large internal conflict is likely anymore. (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_does_the_civil_war_still_impact_today’s_society)

What can Lincoln teach us today?

“A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure permanently half-slave and half-free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved – I do not expect the house to fall – but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other.” (Lincoln’s ‘House-Divided’ Speech in Springfield, Illinois, June 16, 1858. http://rogerjnorton.com/Lincoln2.html)

This idea is crucial to help us understand why it is so important that Congress needs to unite and stop the bickering. Congress needs to be for the people and not against the people. The War between the States is a good reminder that Congress should set partisanship at the side and work together as a team.