This is an overview of Chapter 17 Section 1 from The American Nation textbook.

1. Chapter 17 Section 1
The Conflict Takes
Shape

2. A Nation Divided
 Each side believed that their cause was just
– Southerners believed that they had the right to
leave the Union, calling it the War for Southern
Independence
– Northerners believed that they had to fight to save
the Union

3. Whose Side Are You On?
 Many northerners,
guided by feelings of
racism, approved of
slavery
 In April 1861, 8 slave
states were still in the
Union
 They had to figure out
whose side to join

4. Whose Side Are You On? cont’d
 These 8 states had more than half of the
South’s population and food crops
 Four of the states (VA, NC, TN, AR) quickly
joined the Confederacy
 Four border states (KY, MO, MD, DE)
decided to remain in the Union

5. Strengths and Weaknesses
 The South
– Strengths
 White southerners felt
they were fighting for
independence
 Confederate soldiers
held an advantage
because they knew the
southern countryside
better

6. Strengths and Weaknesses cont’d
 The South
– Disadvantages
 Economy: few factories
and few railroads
 Political: Confederates
favored states’ rights
and had a limited
central government
 Population: Small (9
million, 1/3 of which
was slaves) against the
North’s 22 million

7. Strengths and Weaknesses cont’d
 The North
– Advantages
 Population: Four times
as many people as the
South
 Industry: Most of the
factories in the US
 Navy: Large fleet of
sailing ships

8. Strengths and Weaknesses cont’d
 North
– Disadvantages
 Land: Had to conquer a huge area to bring the South
back into the Union; on unfamiliar territory
 Supplies: Because of the large area of land to be
covered, supply lines would be longer, and therefore
more open to attack by the Confederates

9. The War’s Leaders
 The South
– President Jefferson Davis
 Most people thought he was a stronger leader than
Lincoln
 Military education from West Point, served in the
Mexican War, Secretary of War under President
Franklin Pierce
 Respected for his honesty and courage
 Not big on the details of military planning

10. The War’s Leaders cont’d
 The North
– President Abraham
Lincoln
 Some northerners
doubtful on Lincoln’s
leadership skills
 Little military and
political experience
 Strong leader, patient
and an excellent
planner

11. Military Leaders
 North
– Ulysses S. Grant
– George McClellan
– William Tecumseh
Sherman
– Philip Sheridan
General George
McClellan

12. Military Leaders cont’d
 South
– Robert E. Lee
– Thomas “Stonewall”
Jackson
– George Pickett
General Stonewall
Jackson