The Civil War (1861-1865)Part 2: The Fall of the South

The Stalemate• For the first two years of the Civil War, it was unclear who had

the advantage.• While the South had more victories, the North was not losing

their advantages in numbers or industrial power

December 1862• In December of 1862, General Ulysses S. Grant had surrounded Vicksburg,

Mississippi and put the town under siege.• If the city fell, the Confederacy would lose control of the Mississippi river.

Lee’s position

Lee’s last hope• Lee knew that the only

way to defeat the Union was to take away their will to fight.

• Northerners had not seen much fighting on their own soil, and Lee wanted to change that.

• Rather than go and help Vicksburg, Lee chose to invade the North again.

The Battle of Gettysburg, 1863• Lee and 65,000 Confederate troops invaded

the North. (Texas Stadium held 63,000)

• They were met by 105,000 Union troops in Gettysburg, PA. (Cowboys Stadium holds 102,000)

The Battle of Gettysburg, 1863• The fighting would take place on July 2 & 3,

1863.

The Battle of Gettysburg, 1863• There would a total of 51,000 casualties• The bloodiest battle of the Civil War

The Battle of Gettysburg, 1863• The Union won, and the South would no

longer be able to attack the North again. Lee’s army would never recover

The Siege of Vicksburg, 1863• The very next day (July 4, 1863) Vicksburg,

Mississippi would surrender to General Grant.

The Siege of Vicksburg, 1863• The city had been cut off for seven months. • The people had eaten everything they could find, including

dogs and, in some cases, their dead neighbors.

The Siege of Vicksburg, 1863• When Vicksburg fell, the Union gained full

control of the Mississippi River.• The Anaconda Plan was now coming to life

The Siege of Vicksburg, 1863• Remember the Anaconda Plan?

The Siege of Vicksburg, 1863

Gettysburg – Union victory

Grant takes Vicksburg

Union Naval Blockade since the beginning of the

Civil War

Turning Points of the Civil War• Gettysburg and Vicksburg would be the

turning points of the Civil War.• Became clear to all involved that the North would win eventually.

Ulysses S. Grant• After Vicksburg,

Grant goes to Washington to command the entire US Army.

Sherman’s March to the Sea• The man who took over for Grant in Mississippi, William

Tecumseh Sherman, would invade the heart of the South• He will forever be remembered for his ruthlessness

Sherman’s March to the Sea

Sherman takes Atlanta, May-Sept

1864

Sherman captures Savannah, GA – Dec 1865

Grant’s invasion of Virginia• Here we go again, the Union is going to invade Virginia!

Grant takes Richmond, April 3,

1865

Lee surrenders at Appomattox Courthouse,

April 9, 1865

Appomattox Courthouse, 1865• Robert E. Lee surrendered his army to Ulysses

S. Grant on April 9, 1865• The Civil War was over

The Defeated South• The rebels were allowed to go home, all they

had to do was swear an allegiance to the Union before they left.