Key Battles in the American Civil War

1. First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas)

   • Date: July 21, 1861
   • Significance: The first major battle of the Civil War, resulting in a Confederate victory and dispelling any illusions of a short war.
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2. Battle of Antietam

   • Date: September 17, 1862
   • Significance: Known as the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, it ended in a tactical draw but gave President Lincoln the opportunity to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.
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3. Battle of Gettysburg

   • Date: July 1-3, 1863
   • Significance: Often considered the turning point of the Civil War, it ended General Lee's invasion of the North and resulted in a significant Union victory.
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4. Siege of Vicksburg

   • Date: May 18 – July 4, 1863
   • Significance: The Union's victory here gave them control of the Mississippi River, effectively splitting the Confederacy in two.
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5. Battle of Fort Sumter

   • Date: April 12-13, 1861
   • Significance: The first shots of the Civil War were fired here, marking the beginning of the conflict.
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Military Strategies in the American Civil War

1. Anaconda Plan

   • Devised by Union General Winfield Scott, this strategy aimed to blockade Southern ports and capture the Mississippi River, effectively squeezing the Confederacy's resources and splitting it geographically.
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2. Total War

   • Employed by Union General William Tecumseh Sherman, this strategy involved targeting not only the Confederate army but also its economic resources and civilian infrastructure to break the South's will to fight.
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3. Defensive-Offensive Strategy

   • The Confederacy often used this strategy, focusing on defending their territory while also launching offensive operations when opportunities arose, such as Lee's invasions of the North.
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4. Cordon Defense

   • Initially, the Confederacy tried to defend its entire border, but this strategy proved unsustainable due to limited resources and manpower.
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5. War of Attrition

   • The Union aimed to wear down the Confederate forces through continuous battles and blockades, leveraging its superior numbers and industrial capacity.
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These battles and strategies were pivotal in shaping the course of the Civil War, ultimately leading to the Union's victory and the preservation of the United States.