The Civil War began after Confederate forces attacked Union soldiers at Fort Sumter in South Carolina in April 1861. In response, Lincoln called for militiamen to put down the rebellion, which caused four more Southern states to secede from the Union. The North had advantages in population, transportation infrastructure, and industrial capacity. The South relied on defending local territory and hoping to wear down the North. Both sides developed strategies - the North sought to blockade Southern ports and control the Mississippi River, while the South aimed to capture Washington D.C. and gain foreign support through cotton exports. As both sides prepared for war, volunteer armies were formed though troops lacked supplies, training, and standard uniforms.

1. I. Americans choose Sides
• A. Lincoln had promised
not to end slavery where
it already existed.
• B. Fort Sumter
– 1. Lincoln sent supply ships
to defend.
– 2. South attacked.
– 3. Civil War begins.

2. C. Reaction to Lincoln
• 1. He asked for militiamen
to put down rebellion.
• 2. Would they stay or go?
• 3. North Carolina,
Tennessee, Virginia, &
Arkansas seceded.
• 4. Border States
– A. Delaware, Kentucky,
Maryland, Missouri
– B. Slave states in Union
– C. Divided about war.

3. D. Advantages
North
• 1. High population.
• 2. Roads, canals, and
railroads made it easier to
move quickly.
• 3. Stimulated economic
growth.
• 4. Blockaded South.
• 5. Money (currency, banking
system)
South
• 1. Strong military heritage.
Why was that important?
• 2. Only needed to defend
itself.
• 3. North had a longer
distance to travel.
• 4. Fought on home soil,
familiar with the land and
resources.

4. E. Strategies of Union and Confederates
North
• 1. Destroy the South’s
economy with a naval
blockade.
• 2. Gain control of Miss.
River which in turn would
divide South.
• 3. Attack Richmond which
was the capital of the
Confederacy.
South
• 1. Wear down North.
• 2. Capture Washington D.C.
• 3. Cotton diplomacy- gain
British support due to need
for cotton.

5. II. Preparing for War
• A. Volunteer Armies
• B. Helping the Troops-
civilians ran hospitals,
raised money
• C. Women served and
nurses.
• D. Training Soldiers
– 1. Shortages of food and
clothing.
– 2. No idea how to fight.
– 3. No standard uniform.