The First Modern War
The Civil War has been called the first modern war for several reasons.
It was the first time that trains carried troops and supplies to their
destinations. Officers could communicate by telegraph. Iron ships were part
of the fight. Soldiers threw hand grenades and the new long range rifle
replaced the musket making those soldiers who fought on horses (the
cavalry) less effective. All of these changes led to a larger number of
causalities than in previous wars.
The Civil War
A Nation Divided
In 1861, the nation was at war with itself. Eleven southern states
seceded from the union, which meant they no longer considered their state
part of the United States of America. The southern states called themselves
the Confederate States of America. Men joined military units, sometimes for
only 90 days. Each side was confident they would beat the other side in less
time than 90 days. The Civil war actually lasted for four bloody years. About
two million men fought for the Union army (North) and about one million
men fought for the Confederacy (South). The war claimed 620,000 lives. In
some cases brother fought brother and father fought son.
Comparing the Union and the Confederacy
Union
Confederacy
24 states
11 states
22 million people
9 million people
Good railroads
Cotton-based economy
Diversified economy
In the North, there were mainly cities and small farms. In the South, there
were mainly plantations where slaves did the field work and kept the large
homes running. In reality, most white Southerners had small farms and
owned no slaves.
Black History in Independence
Early Independence was built by the strength, skill, and ingenuity of
its first Black settlers. They cut trees, cleared the land, and began the farming
that would sustain the pioneer population. They sawed the timber and made
the bricks to construct the houses and businesses of the community. Most
are not remembered by name, but many of their accomplishments have
lasted to the present. Some of the early brick houses and public buildings
were constructed by these pioneer Black craftsmen. The 1836 Jackson County
Courthouse on the Independence Square is a good example. Sam Shephard
built the 1827 log courthouse which still stands as a testament to his skill. The
trails and roads that were to be the highways of the nation’s westward
movement were constructed by these workers. Most were brought here as
slaves from the East by their masters.
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The cruel bondage of slavery kept them from realizing the income from their labor.
Slaves were bought and sold on or near the public square. The largest owner was Jabez Smith,
whose plantation home was located on the present site of William Chrisman School. When
slavery was abolished by a state proclamation early in 1865, many had already fled to Kansas
and freedom. Slavery left a bitter memory, but those who lived through those years left a proud
heritage of endurance and the love of freedom.
Not all Black pioneers were slaves. Hiram Young had already purchased his freedom
when he arrived in Independence with his wife Matilda. He set up a highly successful
blacksmith shop at North Liberty and 24 Highway that made ox yokes and outfitted wagons for
the long trip west on the Oregon Trail. Many of those making the trip west would also be Blacks
looking for better opportunities. Young became one of the wealthiest men of Jackson County.
Important People From the Civil War
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Clara Barton – She would load a carriage with her own food and medical supplies and help
wounded soldiers on the battlefield. She founded the American Red Cross.
Frederick Douglass – Slaves were forbidden to learn how to read, but Frederick Douglass
gave poor white boys bread to teach him how to read. He later escaped to the North and
became a leader of the Abolitionist movement.
General Ulysses S. Grant – He led the Union to victory. Lincoln made him commander of all
the Union armies. (Have you visited Grant’s Farm near St. Louis, Missouri?)
President Abraham Lincoln – The war was started to keep the Union together, but it
became a war about slavery. In 1865, Lincoln urged Congress to ratify the 13th Amendment,
which abolished slavery throughout the nation.
Harriet Tubman – She was born a slave, but escaped to the North in 1849, then returned to
the South many times to lead others to freedom.
Jefferson Davis – President of the Confederate States of America.
Robert E. Lee – At the start of the war, President Lincoln offered Lee the command of the
Union army, but Lee could not fight against his native state of Virginia. He became
commander of the Confederate forces.
General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson – Jackson was Lee’s most trusted and capable
general.
Mary Boykin Chesnut – She recorded the details of her busy social life in a journal that
provides valuable insights into life in the Confederacy.
Rose O’Neal Greenhow – She used her social connections to spy on the Union while she
lived in Washington D.C.
Resources:
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“Kids Discover Magazine: Civil War”, August/September 1997
http://www.kcvirtualvillage.org/KC-AfricanHistory.html
Photo: http://www.civilwar-pictures.com/g/union-officers-soldiers/grant_seated
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Name __________________________________________ Date ________________________
The Civil War
Nonfiction Common Core Literacy
Compare/Contrast
Use a three column graphic organizer to compare and contrast the Union and the
Confederacy.
Comprehension
Explain why the Civil War was also called the first modern war?
Generalizations
Make three generalizations about black settlers from Independence.
Paraphrasing
Using your own words, explain what this article is about. You may not use more than five
sentences.
Creative Synthesis
Take the perspective of President Abraham Lincoln and write a speech to give to the
Confederate States of America. It is your JOB to persuade the southern states to come back
to the union and to give up slavery.
I’m through, now what do I do?
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Write a news article that includes an interview from a slave who has joined the
union army.
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Write a journal entry as Mary Boykin Chesnut.
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Go to http://tinyurl.com/6v32fb8 (National Geographic Website) and take an
interactive journey as a slave. Write about your experience in a diary.
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Design a war poster to end slavery.
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