Course of the Civil War Reading

Option A

Lexile: 1070
Word Count: 736
Vocabulary: issuing, enslaved, secede, bravery, clash, outnumber, surrender conflict, invasion, unity, legacy

The American Civil War began in 1861 and lasted until 1865.  The war was fought between two sections of the country; the Union in the North, and the Confederacy in the South. It remains one of the most important periods in the history of the United States.

The Civil War was marked by numerous battles, some of which had important effects on the conflict’s direction and outcome.

The Battle of Fort Sumter (April 1861): This battle marked the beginning of the Civil War. Southern forces fired upon Fort Sumter off the coast of South Carolina, forcing its surrender. This Southern victory started the Civil War.

 

The Battle of Bull Run (July 1861): Also known as the Battle of First Manassas, it was the first major land battle. The Union and Confederate forces clashed in northern Virginia, near Washington, DC. The Southern forces, under General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, secured a surprising victory, removing any idea that the war would be short and easy.

The Battle of Antietam (September 1862): It was the bloodiest one-day battle in American history. The Battle of Antietam stopped General Robert E. Lee’s invasion of the North. It ended in a win for the North and gave President Lincoln the opportunity he needed to announce the Emancipation Proclamation.

The Battle of Gettysburg (July 1863): A turning point in the war, this three-day battle ended Lee’s invasion of the North.  This battle shifted the war in the Union’s favor, and the South went on the defensive.

The war ended in Appomattox Court House, Virginia when General Lee of the Confederacy surrendered to General Grant of the Union.

The Civil War also saw the emergence of several key military leaders who played pivotal roles in these conflicts.

On the Union side General Ulysses S. Grant’s leadership earned him command of all Union armies. He was known for following Confederate forces after battles. This strategy led to the eventual surrender of Lee at Appomattox. General William Tecumseh Sherman was known for his “March to the Sea,” Sherman’s tactics of total war, which included destroying anything that could support military activity, were violent but effective in limiting the Confederate war effort.

On the Confederate side General Robert E. Lee was the leading general. Lee was respected for his successes despite being frequently outnumbered. His decision to invade the North twice, ending in the battles of Antietam and Gettysburg, were significant moments of the war. General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was famous for his bravery and played crucial roles in many battles before his death in 1863.

Abraham Lincoln was the president during the Civil War. His time in office was marked by strong actions that would shape the nation’s future. Lincoln’s main responsibility as president was to keep the Union whole, including the states that seceded.

One success for Lincoln was maintaining the support of border states, the states closest to the Confederate states that allowed slavery but did not secede from the Union. They included Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, and West Virginia. If he had lost any of the border states, the Union likely would have lost the war.  Lincoln was also an effective communicator. His speeches helped keep public support for the war.

One of Lincoln’s most important actions was the issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation. In 1862, following the Battle of Antietam, Lincoln issued an early statement saying that if the Southern states did not stop fighting by January 1, 1863, all enslaved people in the Confederate states would be declared free. In 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation was issued

While it did not immediately free all enslaved people, it changed the character of the war, adding moral force to the Union cause. As they marched through the South, Union armies used its authority to free enslaved people. The proclamation also prevented European powers from supporting the Confederacy. The Emancipation Proclamation allowed African Americans to join the Union Army as soldiers. It also marked a significant step toward the end of slavery, which would be made permanent in the Thirteenth Amendment.

The American Civil War was a complex conflict defined by major battles, strong leaders, and important political actions. Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, marked by his strong commitment to keeping the Union together and freeing enslaved people with his Emancipation Proclamation, played an important role in shaping the war’s outcome and the nation’s future. The legacies of the battles and leaders continue to be remembered as key parts of American history.

 

Option B

Lexile: 820
Word Count: 704
Vocabulary: enslave, enslaved, confederate, destructive, supportive, slavery, bloody, brave, fighting

The American Civil War happened from 1861 to 1865. It was a very important time in the history of the United States. There were big fights, important leaders, and serious actions that President Abraham Lincoln took. These all changed the war and the country.

The Civil War had many battles. The battles were fought between two parts of the United States, the North or Union and the South or Confederacy. The South had separated to become the Confederate States of America.

The Battle of Fort Sumter was in April 1861. This fight started the Civil War. The South attacked Fort Sumter in the ocean off the coast of South Carolina, which belonged to the United States government. After this, both sides got ready for more fighting.

The Battle of Bull Run was in July 1861. It was the first big fight on land. The South’s army, led by General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, won this battle. People were surprised. They learned that the war would not be quick or easy.

The Battle of Antietam happened in September 1862. It was the bloodiest one-day battle in American history. General Robert E. Lee tried to attack the North, but he was stopped. The battle ended with the North barely winning, but it helped President Lincoln. He was able to announce a new rule about freeing enslaved people, called the Emancipation Proclamation.

The Battle of Gettysburg was in July 1863. The battle lasted three days. The North won this battle, stopping Lee from attacking the North again. This victory also made their army believe they could win the war. The North became more successful after this battle.

The war ended in a town called Appomattox Court House, Virginia. General Lee from the South gave up to General Grant from the North.

During the Civil War, some important military leaders from both sides became famous. They played big roles in important battles.

On the Union side, General Ulysses S. Grant was a strong leader. He never stopped chasing the Confederate army. This led to the end of the war when General Lee gave up. General William Sherman was known for his “March to the Sea.” His way of fighting was destructive, but it worked well.

On the Confederate side, General Robert E. Lee was the main general. People respected him because he was smart, even when he had fewer soldiers. He tried to attack the North two times. These battles at Antietam and Gettysburg were big moments in the war. General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was brave and smart. He helped in many battles before he died in 1863.

Abraham Lincoln was the president during the Civil War. He did many important things that changed the country. Lincoln thought his main job was to keep all the states together, even the ones that wanted to leave.

Lincoln did a good job keeping the support of border states near the Confederate states. He also used the navy to stop ships from bringing things to southern ports. This helped end the war faster. Lincoln was good at giving speeches. His words helped people in the North feel supportive about the war.

 

One of Lincoln’s most important actions was the Emancipation Proclamation. In 1862, after the battle of Antietam, Lincoln said that if the South didn’t stop fighting by January 1, 1863, all enslaved people in the fighting states would be free. The fighting did not stop, so the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect.

This didn’t free all enslaved people right away, but it changed the war. It made the North’s cause seem even more important, because it was tied to Union armies freeing the enslaved people in the South. It also let Black people join the North’s army. This gave the North more soldiers. It was a big step towards ending slavery.

The American Civil War was a big and complex fight. It had many battles and important leaders. Lincoln’s time as president was very important. He wanted to keep the country together. His Emancipation Proclamation changed things a lot. Lincoln helped shape how the war ended and what happened to America after. People still remember the battles and leaders as important parts of American history.