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Begun in 1861 in the aftermath of the election of Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War (Civil War) has devastated the southern United States for four years. Regarded by many as a real civil war, it contrasts Southern States (Confédérération) States of North (Union) , about the slavery . Thus, during the years of bloody fighting takes place the fate of black slaves in the South.

The rift between North and South

From the early nineteenth century, the states of North and South already opposed on several cultural, political and economic. At the heart of various tensions, the main point of contention between the two regions is still slavery.

South's economy is based primarily on monoculture cotton, which requires a workforce made up of black slaves. The North, however, has considerably developed and formally outlawed slavery . Moreover, as a result of their respective economic modes, the Northern States to engage in protectionist policies, while those in the South can only evolve through free trade.

Over the years, large country, like President Jackson, managed to quell tensions. But when the candidate of the Republican Party Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States in 1860, the South's reaction was immediate. Indeed, Lincoln fought hard for years against slavery. Immediately, therefore, South Carolina seceded, soon joined by Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. Together, they formed the Confederate States of America, whose head is placed Jefferson Davis.

The armed conflict erupted

President Abraham Lincoln look forward to keeping the union American as it was created and refuses to grant independence to the Confederacy. For this reason, it refuses to recall the garrisons northerners settled in the South. Fort Sumter is one of the fortresses and occupied. When southerners opened fire, war is launched. Higher number (22 million to 9 million in the North to South) the Union Army thinks a speedy end to the conflict, but without relying on military talents Confederate soldiers. Thus, the first battle at Bull Run , concludes with a crushing defeat of the Northern forces. The conflict is more difficult than expected.

Documentary: the Civil War (duration: 97 min)

Victories and defeats Southern

With his first victory at Bull Run, the Confederate army is determined to fight at all costs. Thus, when the army of the Potomac march towards Richmond, the Confederate capital, the latter under the command of General Robert Lee, replied forcefully. After seven days of fighting, they won the advantage and push the enemy forces.

However, the troops who compete both lose a considerable number of men and the situation does not improve . It was not until the Battle of Gettysburg to see a clear evolution of the conflict. Lee's army, who then launched the offensive, is forced to retreat in Virginia. Therefore, the North continues to get ahead. While General Farragut had already taken possession of New Orleans south, General Grant-in-chief is to control the Mississippi Valley and West. General Sherman, meanwhile, marched on the south-west, captured Atlanta, through Georgia to the sea and then back north. Confederate troops, already divided by the enemy advances, and are taken back and have no possible escape. General Lee was forced to surrender at Appomattox, April 9, 1865.

The Civil War 4 Minutes

Slavery, abolished after the war

During the war, Abraham Lincoln had already intervened on the issue of slavery in the South. In 1862, he had indeed proclaimed the emancipation of black slaves in Confederate areas. He hoped to weaken economically the southern states, while observing maximum restraint vis-à-vis the slave states that chose to ally with the North. Killed before the surrender of the last Southern states, Lincoln will not attend the formal adoption the abolition of slavery, December 6, 1865.

is the that President Johnson will have the onerous task of completing the reconstruction of the country. But reconciliation between South and North is far from effective, especially that Republicans are trying, unsuccessfully, to purge the political elite southerners. Moreover, discrimination against blacks, who have the right to vote in 1867, are becoming more virulent. Grant took over from Johnson, without success. Looting and violence become the daily lives of residents South. It was not until the 1870s, when the Republican Party loses majority in Congress, so that tensions are beginning to subside.

After four years of conflict, the Civil War left the United States an indelible mark. It is considered the first "modern" war, by the human and technical resources (battleships) implemented and its human toll particularly heavy (over 615 000 deaths). It will not end the strife between North and South, but rather will result in installing domination of some northern states. Regarding the issue of slavery, blacks who come from earned their freedom, but can not escape the mindset of slavery. They will be the subject of racial hatred into the twentieth century.

Soldiers

Confederates (South): gray uniform

Proud of its tradition, the South had many militia units independently. This tradition existed long before the war. When it was declared, these units were incorporated into the army but under command of their respective state. Each regiment carried its own distinctive uniform, often very beautiful and impressive. The South also had a few units of Zouaves in very small numbers.

The regular army had to be uniform regulation at the beginning of the conflict, a beautiful French-style uniform, a gray jacket and blue sky with a soft blue sky cap, blue trousers and sky. Their dress was adorned with beautiful ornaments and badges. This infantry. The blue sky cap and the jacket was replaced by yellow for cavalry, red for artillery and white for the navy. In early conflict, the southerners were equipped with weapons from the arsenals of the border. Unable to compete with the EU in terms of industries, the Confederation had to import weapons from Europe. The guns were the most imported British Enfield Mle 1853 and the 1854 Austrian Lorenz rifle. The numerous victories of the South led the jack of many weapons.

But that lasted only a short time and the Confederates began to suffer big crisis logistics. Their uniforms passed very quickly to a uniform gray completely. By the middle of the conflict the soldiers had to make themselves their own uniforms. Many soldiers had no shoes and fought barefoot. Southerners began to take the shoes and pants of dead Yankees. The situation was less critical for officers who could afford proper uniforms.

At the end of the war a soldier could be recognized by standard civilian clothes gray or brown (just as their nickname "Butternut") and generally wore civilian hats. He had arms as weapons of Yankees recovered, British, and weapons non-regulatory.

Yankee (North): blue uniform

The Yankees meanwhile wore the prescribed uniform of the U.S. military before the secession of the South. She drifted in line with that worn during the War of 1812 and then for the one against Mexico and will remain similar throughout the conflict.

It was broadly in a soft dark blue cap, a dark blue jacket and blue pants. From there came the nickname of the soldiers of the North: "Blue Bellies". Patterns of color on the uniform indicated the type of unit to which the soldier belonged. The blue sky was the distinctive color of the infantry, the yellow of the cavalry, and the red artillery. The Navy had for its sailors outfits.

The North is well developed, the Yankees had no difficulty in supplying their troops properly. The uniforms of officers and soldiers at the beginning of the conflict contained more tissue and were more prepared at the end. To streamline the production of uniforms and facilitate the supply of the army, in effect invented the Yankees during the war the concept of standard-cut clothing. The Union army was equipped with weapons manufactured in the United States (Springfield Armory).

Like the South, the Northern troops had independent militia. However, their numbers were much higher. Many of them were Zouave units. They wore uniforms bedecked inspired by the French Zouaves. Wearing the Zouave uniform was a privilege accorded to the most valiant militias. Each regiment wore a special outfit.