Civil War Begins

April 12, 1861

Comparing North and South

United States of America Abraham Lincoln 21.5 Million 110,000 $207 Million Blue 23 (24 with West VA) President Population Factories Bank Deposits Uniform Color Number of States Flag Confederate States of America Jefferson Davis 9 Million 20,600 $ 47 Million Grey 11 (claimed 13)

Election of Lincoln
South Carolina first secedes on December 20, 1860. A total of 6 others will join before Lincoln takes office. of all US troops are in these states. The new Confederate states of America claims these soldiers, custom houses, forts, and post offices as their property. Lame duck President James Buchanan is quite lame - he does nothing to stop any of this.

Union Builds Momentum

With opposition leaving, Republicans pass a variety of bills which permanently establishes their power. Create the first Income Tax to fund the war. Fund the Transcontinental Railroad. Morrill Act gives land to colleges. Many prominent public universities are created. Creation of legal tender, or greenbacks.

Ft. Sumter: War or Peace?

CSA President Jefferson ordered state militias to claim federal military forts. Beauregard Anderson, the American general in charge of Sumter, held the fort. Lincoln disregarded both these actions, as well as Davis attempt to purchase the forts. Lincoln refused to give up these forts, and the South Carolina militia attacked Ft. Sumter on April 12, 1861.

The next day, Lincoln called for 75,000 troops from the states.
Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Arkansas followed with secession.