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Undergroud Railroad Established
The Underground Railroad and its purpose is a great example of not only why we fought the war, but also why the war needed to be fought. The "Underground Railroad" was a complex network of people who helped fugitive slaves escape north to freedom. People should have never had to go to such extremes to gain freedom. It was estimated that the south lost 100,000 slaves in just 40 years. It is obvious that something isn't working and that people aren't happy if they want freedom and would die trying -
Telegraph Invented
The invention of the telegraph by Samuel Morse not only changed communication but also changed how the Civil War was fought. The 15,000 miles of telegraph cables used mainly for military purposes enabled news to travel in a timely fashion. This was very important for getting news from the frontline to the capitol where Lincoln spent most of his time reading the messages. The mobile telegraph wagons that recieved messages made battlefield communication easier and faster and changed the warfare. -
Fugitive Slave Act
By far one of the most unfair acts of the time, the Fugitive slave Act, can easily be used in understanding why we fought the Civil War. The law denied fugitive slaves the right to trail by jury and required citizens to assist in recovering slaves. This angered not only the slaves themselves but a majority of people in the north. In fact, many who were neutrual in the issue changed, and were now anti-slavery. People were becoming angered by the violence and unfair treatment of other human beings -
Kansas-Nebraska Act "Bleeding Kansas"
The Kansas-Nebraska Act was a mojor event in our history and was one of many events responsible for why we fought the Civil War. Repealling the Missouri Compromise, this act allowed for slavery north of a certain latitude. The issue of slavery would be settled by the popular sovereignty of the residents in the territory. Violencce soon erupted in Kansas between pro-slavery and anti-slavery. Ideals of civil war were on the horizon. -
Pottawattamie Massacre
The Pottawattamie Massacre is an act of great violence that clearly shows why America broke out into war with each other. On May 24, 1856, five pro-slavery men were killed and their families left for dead. A group of men led by anti-slavery extremist John Brown were responsible for the murders. this event was one of many like it happening across America. Most of what is now the state of Kansas erupted into guerilla warfare all because of one common problem...slavery. Civil War, the only solution -
John Brown Riads Harpers Ferry
If any man were to have any resposiblity for why we fought the Civil War it would be a man by the name of John Brown. John was against slavery and had a plan for stopping it. On October 16, 1859, Brown and his 21 men raided and siezed the federal armory at Harpers Ferry. His plan was to obtain enough weapons to supply rebelling slaves to help fight against slavery. The plan came to a hault when he was pinned down by local militia and soon marines. Although john failed his ideas inspired America. -
Springfield Model 1861 rifled percussion musket
The Springfield Model 1861 rifled percussion musket is literally how both the Union and Confederacy fought the Civil War. The first mass produced rifle, the Model 1861, was a giant technological advancement in firepower. An average soldier could load and accurately fire a deadly "minnie ball" projectial three times per minute. The rifles new barrel with spiral grooves, known as rifling, made it capable of killing at a range of 300 yards compared to the old smooth brore range of 150. -
Conscription Starts
Conscription was one of the ways how both the North and Soth fought. Started by the Confederacy after three acts in 1862, there goal was to increase the size of their army. Conscription scared or forced men from the ages of around 17 to 50 into fighting in the war. People complained that this infringed their free will and personal liberty. Niether side made a substantial gain from drafting citizens. -
Rialroad Systems
Railroad systems were a major factor in how the Civil War was fought. They served as excellent transportation across the nation for the South, who had started using railroads first; and the North, who had more miles of track. Railways were a much more efficient method than mules, horses, or simply walking. It was a way to move soldiers and supplies to the frontlines of battle or where ever they were needed faster and more effeciently. -
War Time Medicine
War time calls for very advanced and fast medical attention to wounded soldiers. How we did this during the Civil War was very different than how we do things today. Dressing stations were generally setup out of musket fire. Here a soldier could recieve medical attention or be evacuated to a field hospital if necassary. Opium pills, morphine, and whiskey were common pain relievers, amputation was not uncommon. Conditions were very unsanitary and disease was likely to occur.
