The South

Secession

• Election of 1860 – South feels helpless• December 20, 1860 – S. Carolina leaves union

– “Only in spirit and determination are you prepared for war. In all else you are totally unprepared” (William Sherman)

• January 9, 1861 – Mississippi leaves– FL, AL, GA, LA, and TX follow

• Virginia refuses to fight against Southern states– Largest and most industrialized– AK, TN, NC follow

Confederate States of America

• Formed in Montgomery, AL– 11 total states

• Own capital– Richmond, VA

• Own constitution– “protected and recognized” slavery– “sovereign and independent” states

• Own song– Dixie

• Jefferson Davis (MS) – President• Alexander Stephens (GA) – Vice president

Generals

• Robert E. Lee– Most celebrated– Reluctant to secede– Extremely aggressive in battle

• Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson– Battle of Bull Run: 1st Confederate Victory– Tactics still studied today

• George Pickett– Battle of Gettysburg: “Pickett’s Charge”

Strengths

• Home Terrain• Defensive strategy• Existence = Win

– “War of Northern Aggression”

• Military tradition• Excellent leadership• Power of cotton• Who doesn’t like an underdog?

Weaknesses

• Building everything from scratch• 1/3 less people

– 8 million

• Lacked factories and industries• Unrecognized by the world• Slave population• Local and limited governments• Food shortages