The American Civil War

What was the American Civil War?

The American Civil War was an internal conflict between the northern and southern states of the USA.

When was the American Civil War?

The American Civil War was fought from 1861 to 1865.

Why did the American Civil War break out?

There were 5 main causes of the American Civil War.

• ❖ The debate around slavery meant that slave owners in the south disagreed with abolitionists in the north. The South wanted to keep slavery, because it provided plantation owners with a free workforce.
• ❖ The nature of the US government meant there was tension between states and the federal government about who had the right to make laws. The arguments often centred around slavery.
• ❖ Westward expansion meant that the issue of slavery was always discussed. New states were admitted to the Union, and it needed to be established whether they would be 'free' states or 'slave' states.
• ❖ States that felt their liberty to make laws was being threatened said they would secede if they felt their views were not properly represented in Congress.
• ❖ There were economic differences. The climate in the South favoured agriculture, particularly cotton and tobacco growing. It was very profitable and relied on slave labour. However, the North was industrialised, and wasn't prepared to compete with slave labour.

What were the economic effects of the American Civil War?

There were 7 main economic effects of the American Civil War.

• ❖ The only real area of growth in both North and South was munitions production.
• ❖ The economy in the North was short of raw materials, as trade with the South was virtually eliminated.
• ❖ The economy in the South was inferior to that in the North, which had already industrialised. As a result the South was hit hardest, and couldn't adequately supply its army.
• ❖ Farms across the South were ruined by war, and crops and animals were confiscated. There were food riots later in the war, due to shortages.
• ❖ Cotton production in the South decreased dramatically. It also lost access to its European cotton markets, due to a naval blockade by the Union.
• ❖ Since the South had no real currency of its own, it suffered huge rates of inflation. Inflation was over 9,000% per year at its peak.
• ❖ The railroad system was severely damaged.

What were the social effects of the American Civil War?

There were several social effects of the American Civil War.

• ❖ Family life was disrupted for many Americans, who experienced conscription into the war effort.
• ❖ Since the North blockaded the South, people in the South suffered huge shortages of many things, including food and clothing.
• ❖ Many southerners found that their homes and properties had become part of a battleground, which created a large number of refugees.
• ❖ Some southern towns were placed under the control of the army (martial law), so people's rights were restricted.
• ❖ Since guerrilla warfare was common in the South, many southerners found they were living close to extreme and frightening violence.
• ❖ The war resulted in 600,000 dead and 400,000 wounded.

How were women affected by the American Civil War?

Thousands of women all over the United and Confederate states worked as nurses, or in the supply chains which supplied the troops with resources. Women also organised protests against appalling conditions, including an extreme lack of food, which led to starvation.

How did the American Civil War end?

The American Civil War ended in April 1865, when Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia.