Georgia's Role in the Civil War

Study Notes

Georgia played a significant role in the Civil War, experiencing numerous battles and campaigns.
The state's strategic importance, particularly its railway lines and ports, made it a target for Union forces.
Major battles fought in Georgia included Chickamauga, Atlanta Campaign, and the March to the Sea.
Confederate General Robert E. Lee led troops against Union forces in the state.
The war significantly impacted Georgia's economy and infrastructure.

Both sides needed resources like soldiers, money, supplies, food, weapons, clothes, boots, and transportation.
The North had a larger population and stronger economy, with more bank deposits, factories, food crops, horses, donkeys and mules, and railroad tracks compared to the South.
These factors influenced which side was expected to win the war, however, at the start of the war the Confederacy had greater determination and skilled leaders.

The Union (North) had a greater population, stronger economy, powerful navy, and better transportation.
The Confederacy (South) had better military training, a greater number of skilled military leaders (many with experience from the Mexican War), and greater fighting to defend their land and way of life.
Both sides had different advantages impacting the course of the war.

The Civil war started in 1861, when seven Southern states seceded and formed the Confederacy.
Abraham Lincoln was against the spread of slavery and Southerners feared this threat to their livelihood.
The Union's goal was to "preserve the Union," and asked Southern states to rejoin.
The war officially began in April 1861, after Confederate troops attacked Fort Sumter.
Fort Sumter was a Union fort protecting the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina. Union forces inside the fort ran low on supplies, and surrendered.

The Union established a blockade of Southern ports in response to Confederate commerce.
The blockade was aimed at weakening the South's economy by hindering trade.
General Winfield Scott's "Anaconda Plan" aimed to "squeeze" the Confederacy to death by cutting off supplies and weakening their trade.
The Confederacy relied on exporting cotton and importing supplies, the blockade was intended to halt this trade.

The Anaconda Plan was a strategy employed by the Union during the Civil War.
This plan involved strangling the Confederacy by blockading Southern ports and controlling the Mississippi River.
The plan aimed to cut off Confederate supplies and weaken their economy.
The plan involved the Union army and navy working together to achieve its goals.

Located in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina, Fort Sumter was a key strategic location.
The Union forces inside the fort surrendered due to low supplies.
Nobody was killed directly during the battle itself, however, one person died during a salute to the flag.

The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, fought in Pennsylvania.
Confederate General Robert E. Lee hoped to win this battle and convince the Union to give up, however, the Union's victory significantly hampered Lee's aspirations.

President Abraham Lincoln led the Union.
President Jefferson Davis led the Confederacy.
Other military leaders included Ulysses S. Grant, William Tecumseh Sherman, Robert E. Lee.

General William Tecumseh Sherman and his Union Army moved towards Atlanta to dismantle the Confederate industrial and railway center.
The goal was to capture and destroy Atlanta, as it was a crucial hub for the Confederacy.
Many battles occurred along the way towards Atlanta with major conflicts including battles around Atlanta including Peachtree Creek and Ezra Creek, as well as capturing Atlanta itself.
Atlanta was destroyed and its factories and railroads were damaged by Union forces.
This marked the beginning of the end of the Confederate War.

Sherman split his army and continued on to Savannah.
Sherman instructed his soldiers to destroy any towns, plantations, and railroads along the way.
This action aimed at crushing any remaining Confederate fighting spirit.
The March to the Sea significantly damaged the South's infrastructure and morale.

The Confederate prison, located in Andersonville, Georgia, was notorious for its inhumane conditions.
It held over 30,000 prisoners during the war.
Overcrowding, lack of resources, sanitation, and disease led to the deaths of many soldiers held as prisoners of war.
Major Henry Wirz, the commander of the prison, was executed after the war.

The Confederacy gradually wore down amidst the lack of supplies and troops, fighting in Virginia, however, the war ended when General Lee surrendered to General Grant.
The end of the Civil War is marked by General Lee's surrender to General Grant.
The conflict claimed approximately 620,000-850,000 lives.