2. The Civil War
Fighting began April 12, 1861
1 year after Abraham Lincoln became president
Confederates fired on Union troops at Fort Sumter
(Charleston Harbor)
4 years long
General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S.
Grant
Nearly 620,000 soldiers on both sides died
About 500,000 wounded
3. Abraham Lincoln
1809-1865
One of the most admired and respected U.S. presidents
“Champion of Emancipation”
Won presidency in 1860
1 year later, the Civil War began
Assassinated while attending the theater in 1865
4. Robert E. Lee
1807-1870
Graduated West Point with high honors
One of the finest military leaders in U.S. Army
Lincoln offered to make him head of Union army
Lee refused, although he believed in the Union and
opposed slavery and secession
Resigned from U.S. Army, commanded army of
Northern Virginia instead; later all Confederates
5. Literary Term: Diction
A writer’s choice and arrangement of words
Gives writing a unique quality; what makes an
author’s writing his/her own
6. “The Gettysburg Address”
Battle of Gettsyburg, Pennsylvania
July 1863
Union victory, turning point in war
51,000+ soldiers injured
Lincoln gave a moving speech at the dedication of a
military cemetery on the battlefield
8. “Letter to His Son”
From Robert E. Lee to his son (obviously…)
Talks about difficult decision he faces
Believes in the Constitution, believes in the Union
BUT…
His loyalty is to Virginia
Wants to fight to defend his state
10. Reading Check Quiz
1. (1) What happened 87 (four score and seven) years
ago?
2. (2) Why were the people gathered at the cemetery?
3. (3) What is Lincoln’s overall purpose in “The Gettysburg
Address”? What is he trying to do?
4. (1) What gift did Lee’s son give him and why would “his
spirit be grieved”?
5. Why is Lee against secession?
6. What does Lee say he will do if problems emerge within
the government and the Union crumbles?