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Event

Election of 1864

Date

November 8th, 1864

Where

U.S.

Summary (What happened, stick to just the crucial details)

Abraham Lincoln was running against George B. McClellan, a Democrat who was an important Civil War General. McClellan promised to end the war and negotiate with the Southern Confederacy, whereas Lincoln wanted to continue the war. Lincoln won 212-21 in electoral votes. Many of Lincoln's own party members were discontent with the way Lincoln was handling the war effort and many politicians created a sub-party called the Radical Democracy Party whose goal was to end slavery quicker and more aggressively. In the end, Lincoln won the nomination for the presidency and then beat McClellan for the presidency seat.

What makes it a turning point?

What was different BEFORE and AFTER the event?

Before: The North had dissenting opinions, such as the copperheads (who despised Lincoln). The Democratic party tried to gain popularity by promoting peace. This dissent leads to an unorganized war effort which causes the tide of the war to shift in favor of the South.

After: War continued after the re-election of Lincoln allowing the North to reorganize and regroup. This leads to the re-energizing of the war effort. Also, it improves the north’s morale for the war and increases the support for the war by the citizens, changing the tide of the war in favor of the North.

What did it represent that would become crucial to the outcome of the war?

The election of 1864 represented that the North was better equipped for the war (since at first, even his cabinet disagreed with him) because now everyone was on Lincoln’s side in regards to the Civil War.

What subsequent important events did it directly lead to that would not have happened otherwise?

The Vice President who ran with Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, eventually became the president when Lincoln was assassinated and became the leader of reconstruction post-civil war. This is significant because Johnson did not support civil rights for slaves, so the Reconstruction failed.

Did it set a precedent that was important for the war or did it represent the first in a pattern that emerges during the war?

Because Lincoln got his army to come back to vote for him during his elections, absentee of voting became a choice for voters who were unable to go vote for their district. In this election, one person could vote for multiple people who were absent, but now one can send their vote by mail.

Counterfactual: if this event DID NOT happen, then how would this have had a dramatic impact on the course of the war?

If Lincoln had not been re-elected to the presidency then McClellan would have taken over and sued for peace allowing the South to join back with slavery still intact. This means that the South will have won the war on slavery and lead to a split nation.

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Southern army would have been stronger and more organized in terms of communication and comradery amongst soldiers, the south also would have won the battle of Gettysburg, and then the civil war in general.

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first battle of bull run - Google Search

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map american civil second picnic second battle army spectators primary sources abraham lincoln stonewall jackson

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What subsequent important events did it directly lead to that would not havehappened otherwise?

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What subsequent important events did it directly lead to that would not havehappened otherwise?

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Lead to the tensions among the confederate leadership over disorganization and a lack of pursuit of the union forces which would give way to the appointment of Robert E Lee.

It would set up the second Battle of Bull Run later and would signify a lengthy war.

McClellan’s patience was evident in this battle and the fitness of the union soldiers was questionable leading to a demand for new leadership.

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There was a tight relationship between the general and the commander had a close relationship and afterwards it. The south also won major battles with Jackson.

After: Communication issues with Lee and Longstreet, the South did not win the Battle of Gettysburg.

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What was different BEFORE and AFTER the event?

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What was different BEFORE and AFTER the event?

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The mindsets of the armies changed afterwards

Before both sides saw they could win the war easily

After its evident that there is going to be a lengthy conflict

Confederate leadership was unorganized

Before leaders argued and failed to pursue the union

After Robert E Lee would be appointed to general

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The south lost one of their best generals in battle. After his death, the Lee hires Longstreet, which he doesn’t trust that much. The next battle is the Battle of Gettysburg, in which the south loses, partially due to the loss of Jackson and the miscommunication of Longstreet.

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Control of the Mississippi
Confederacy is split in two

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Emancipation proclamation was more crucial to the war as slavery began to become the underlying cause of the war.  This is more crucial as in  Vicksburg, the unions  control over the river  was not as much as a controversial and popular topi d as the

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The Union had no control over the Mississippi River, and after the event they got control over the river which led to the shutting down of the confederate’s trade, transportation and military fortifications. Confederate forces in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas were now isolated from the rest of the South.

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Event: Emancipation Proclamation

Date: January 1st 1863

BRIEF Explanation: All slaves inside of seceded slave territories are now free. Protected the loyal border states use of slavery.

What makes it a turning point?

What was different BEFORE and AFTER the event?

Before: Slavery was legal within the slave territories. Slaves were treated legally as property and had little hope that change would occur.

After: Southern cause became in defense of slavery.

What changed?

Influenced the common approval/disapproval of slavery and whether or not it should be allowed. News of the Proclamation spread rapidly by word of mouth, arousing hopes of freedom, creating general confusion, and encouraging thousands to escape to Union lines

What did NOT change?

Slavery did not come to an end.

What did it represent that would become crucial to the outcome of the war?

It represent controversy surrounding slavery as the civil war was about really about slavery.

What subsequent important events did it directly lead to that would not have

happened otherwise?

The abolition of slavery throughout the United States. It would have been much more difficult for full abolition without the idea that abolition would be possible presented by Proclamation

Did it set a precedent that was important for the war or did it represent the first in a pattern that emerges during the war?

It established the belief that abolition was possible and unified and motivated the north to push for slave freedom.

Counterfactual: if this event DID NOT happen, then how would this have had a dramatic impact on the course of the war?

It would have been much more difficult for full abolition without the idea presented by Proclamation that abolition would be possible.

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General Grant vs. Emancipation Proclamation

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General Grant vs. Emancipation Proclamation

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Grant's appointment severely made the war go quicker than it would have had Grant not been selected as commander. His disregard for the amounts of lives lost in battle actually had a positive effect because the war lasted for a shorter period of time. The Emancipation Proclamation did not have a great impact because while slaves in rebellious areas were freed, many of the slaves in area where the Union troops were advancing had defected regardless of whether an official proclamation had been made or not.
- Vishesh Patel

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Thomas Jackson was a military general for the Confederate Army, and he died of pneumonia in 1863 after his troops fired him. He was replaced by Longstreet.

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What did it represent/ why was it crucial to the war? 

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What did it represent/ why was it crucial to the war? 

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Vicksburg was a city on the Mississippi River, and it was crucial for the Union occupation so that they could control the river (part of Union strategy to split Confederates down the Mississippi).

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Event: The Death of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson

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Event: The Death of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson

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May 10, 1863

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September 17, 1862

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This was the first major land battle of the Civil War. 35,000 Union troops marched from Washington, D.C. to a small river, Bull Run, to attack the Confederate force of 20,000 troops. During this battle, the Confederates screamed as they advanced, this became known as the “rebel yell.” The Confederates were able to break the Union right flank. This battle was a Confederate victory and gave the South confidence. It also shocked many in the North and had them realize that the war would not be won as easily as they thought.

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Where: Virginia (Fairfax County and Prince William County) 

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Where: Virginia (Fairfax County and Prince William County) 

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Sharpsburg, Maryland

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Confederate and Union troops met at Antietam Creek, located in Maryland. This was after General Robert E. Lee’s invasion of the north. It was the bloodiest battle of the civil war. There were over 23,000 casualties. The Union was victorious.

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Union army takes over the confederates main military center for operations and supplies. With Atlanta now in the Union’s possession, the Confederate army simply could not survive. This effect the outcome of the war as it caused the Confederates to lose.

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Confederates win the war

Secession would be complete and permanent

Lincoln not elected for second term

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The battle of Antietam was the bloodiest day in US history and the Union win at Antietam resulted in Lincoln issuing the emancipation proclamation.

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The Battle of Vicksburg was the last in the campaign by Ulysses S. Grant around the Mississippi. It set up control of the entire Mississippi by the Union for the first time in the war.

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Before  | After
Robert E. Lee and his Confederate army were invading Northern territory. Confederate believed that invasion of the North would lead to their victory.  | This was put to an end when the Union won the battle.

Abraham Lincoln had written the emancipation proclamation, but it remained idle in his desk. He needed a Union victory, as Pennsylvania was in danger of invasion and Maryland was already infiltrated by the Confederate army.  | Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation five days after the battle.
Union morale low.  | Union morale high.
McClellan was a respected general.  | He held back his army and was ridiculed for it. It was the beginning of his end.

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If the Battle of Vicksburg did not happen, the Confederates would still have control over part of the Mississippi and the Union would not split the area. The Confederates could still use the river for trade, transportation, and military fortifications

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The Battle of Gettysburg important engagement of the civil war the Battle of Gettysburg irrevocably turned the tide of the Civil War in the Union’s favor. 

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The Battle of Gettysburg important engagement of the civil war the Battle of Gettysburg irrevocably turned the tide of the Civil War in the Union’s favor. 

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Event: The Battle of Gettysburg
Date: July 1st to July 3rd 1863
Where: Gettysburg

Turning Points:
What was different before and after the event?
Before, the Union was losing most of the battles. After, the Union started winning more battles.

What did it represent that would become crucial to the outcome of the war?

It was a great victory for Union forces at Chancellorsville. When General Robert E. Lee had marched in from Virginia to Gettysburg, on July 1st, they were trying to get advantage onto the union. They met at the Gettysburg. The second day consisted of heavy fighting as the confederate attacked the union from left and right. The last day of battle, came out of his order was an assault known as Pickett's Charge. It had managed to pierce the Union lines but then it failed and costed many lives. After that, Lee had withdrawn his army back to Virginia.

Picture of the battle

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The battle lifted Union morale

The Northern morale was not very good upon the invasion of Maryland by the Confederacy; the win at Antietam greatly improved the Union’s spirits.

At the same time the battle greatly disheartend the Confederates

The Confederates were feeling pretty good about the invasion into Union territory, but only two weeks into the campaign they were forced to retreat at Antietam, causing a loss in morale.

Photos of the battle showed Americans the horrors of the war for the first time

Alexander Gardner was the first to take pictures of the aftermath of a battlefield in the civil war and it shocked and appalled the American public.

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The Battle of Atlanta was fought on July 22, 1864, just southeast of Atlanta, Georgia. The Union (led by William T. Sherman) wanted to neutralize the important supply hub in Atlanta. The Union defeated Confederate forces (led by John B. Hood). After evacuating Atlanta, Sherman burned most of the buildings in the city. Then, the Union headed south toward Savannah, beginning Sherman’s March To The Sea.

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If the Union had lost the battle then Lincoln and the Republicans may have lost congress, as the Democrats were campaigning on the failure of the Republicans in the war. However, because of the Union’s success at Antietam the Republicans gained seats in the senate and the house.

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When: November and December 1861

Where: USS San Jacinto and the HSM Trent, a British mail steamer
What

1. 2 Confederates (James Murray Mason and John Slidell) → Britain aboard RMS Trent

2. They wanted to convince the British to side with and recognize them

3. USS San Jacinto stops the ship, captures the Confederates as “Contraband of War”

4. Britain was offended (citizens took the capture as an attack on their honor) and demanded an apology.

5. Lincoln did not want to provoke war with Britain, decided to free the prisoners.

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Event: Appointment of Ulysses Grant as General-in-chief

Date: March 10, 1864

Where: Lincoln signed the document in Washington, D.C.

Summary: After Grant won a series of battles down South, and was the main architect in taking over two critical cities in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and Port Hudson, LA, Lincoln awarded Grant with the command of the entirety of the Union Army upon a public release from Grant that he was not seeking the Presidency.

Before/After:
Previous Union generals, such as McLellan and McDowell, were less willing to pursue the Confederates. Grant, however, was willing to sacrifice large numbers of troops in order to achieve victory. Forced the south to surrender in 1865 after Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse. Grant became the 18th president of the United States due to his popularity in the war.

Precedent
Grant’s appointment set a precedent for sacrificing larger numbers of troops to defeat the Confederates. Union General Sherman was also willing to fight a similar, aggressive style in the South. Grant was willing to use the Union’s superiority in numbers to defeat the South by overwhelming them.

Counter-Factual:
Had Grant not been appointed General-in-Chief, it would have likely taken more time before the Union achieved a victory, if they even won the War at all. Grant’s determination and relentlessness as a General sped the Union Victory.

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Event: Fall of Atlanta
Date: July 22, 1864
Where: Atlanta, Georgia

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Before/After:

Before the Trent Affair, the Confederates were actively seeking foreign help for their cause and Great Britain was increasingly leaning towards supporting the Confederates.  Great Britain, although they were abolitionist, still needed their cotton to power their economy, which is why they wanted to side with the confederates.  After the Trent Affair, the likelihood that Great Britain and other foreign nations would have supported the south decreased because of the diplomatic crisis that ensued.  The Confederates’ further efforts to court the British would be unsuccessful, as they decide to stay neutral in the Civil War.

Counterfactual:

If the USS San Jacinto didn’t stop the two Confederates, they could have successfully reached Britain and persuaded them to recognize the Confederate as an independent nation. If the British recognized the Confederate as a real nation, then the rest of the world would have to recognize the Confederate (as Britain was the most influential nation at the time). This would have made the Union’s battle to retake the South so much harder, because they would now have to make sure they didn’t disrupt European trade with the South (because the Europeans could enter the war aligned with the South in the event that the Union blocks transcontinental trade).

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When: May 18, 1863 - Jul 4, 1863
Where: Warren County