From 1861 through 1865, an estimated three million Americans valiantly made their mark in the Civil War. This tumultuous period witnessed a conflict that claimed close to one million lives, of which over a hundred thousand were innocent civilians.
This chilling chapter from America’s past continues to echo in our present, making the study of the Civil War a subject of ongoing debate. Navigating through the intricate answers to our question “How Did the Civil War End?” can be a challenge, given the many layers of this historical event.
Unraveling the Final Phases of the American Civil War
When diving into the annals of American history, April 9, 1865, stands out as a defining moment. It was at the renowned Appomattox Court House where General Robert E. Lee placed his signature on the document, marking a cessation of hostilities by the Army of Northern Virginia. This act led to the withdrawal of the central Confederate military force from the Eastern Theater of the brutal Civil War.
As tidings of Lee’s surrender found their way across varied states, Confederate forces gradually succumbed to the inevitable and abandoned their arms, signaling their defeat. Although sporadic conflict lingered for some more months, Lee’s surrender set in motion the wheels of a definitive Union victory.
A Shocking Tragedy Amidst the Tumult
An event that shook the nation to its core occurred just six days post-Lee’s surrender. President Abraham Lincoln fell victim to an assassination plot at Ford’s Theater, orchestrated by John Wilkes Booth. This incident had a profound influence on the political landscape of America for the following decades.
Booth, a staunch Confederate sympathizer, envisioned the South continuing its resistance despite the blow from Lee’s surrender. However, his act of violence ended up fortifying the sentiment that the war’s culmination was near. The southern population harbored resentment towards Booth, as many believed that Lincoln could have been instrumental in bridging the divide between the North and the South more effectively than anyone else.
Twilight of the Civil War
The subsequent weeks witnessed the wind-up of the remaining chapters of the war. On April 26, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered his soldiers to Union’s General William T. Sherman, marking a significant milestone. The final meeting of the Confederate cabinet took place on May 5, a significant event historian James McPherson suggests could be considered as the true terminal point of the Civil War.
A noteworthy event following it was the Union cavalrymen, under Major General James H. Wilson, capturing Confederate President Jefferson Davis on May 10. Davis had to endure two years of incarceration in Fort Monroe, Virginia.
The Battle of Palmito Ranch, often hailed as the Civil War’s final land battle, unfolded on May 13. Union Colonel Theodore H. Barrett led an attack on a Confederate camp at For Brown, Texas, despite a truce. The motivations behind this decision remain shrouded in mystery, but Colonel John Salmon Ford of the Confederates repelled the attack, garnering a final victory for the South. This battle is significant as it resulted in the last combat fatalities of the Civil War, with the 22-year-old Union soldier John Jefferson Williams widely accepted as the war’s last military casualty.
The True Date of Emancipation
The Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, but it wasn’t until June 19, 1865, also known as Juneteenth, that full emancipation of enslaved people in the United States was celebrated. Union General Gordon Granger announced General Order No. 3 on this day, authoritatively enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas.
The final surrender of the American Civil War came from the CSS Shenandoah, captained by James Waddell, on November 6, 1865, in Liverpool. Unaware of the war’s conclusion, Waddell and his crew had continued to raid Union whaling ships. Learning of the end of the war instilled fear of being prosecuted. As a result, Waddell decided to surrender in Liverpool, where he was later cleared of all charges and allowed to return to the U.S.
The Devastating Impact of the American Civil War
The American Civil War, a four-year-long conflict, left a long-lasting and devastating imprint on the nation. The human, socio-cultural, and economic ramifications were so profound that they continue to shape the United States’ path, even to this day.
Incalculable Human Toll
The war’s toll was certainly the most direct and immediate of all its costs. Both Union and Confederate armies witnessed immense loss, with an estimated 750,000 soldiers perishing during the course of the conflict. Survival did not necessarily mean relief, as numerous wounded soldiers were left bearing the scars and living with debilitating injuries, including lost limbs.
The civilian population, too, bore the brunt of this brutal war. An estimated 50,000 free civilians lost their lives due to factors like combat, starvation, and disease outbreaks catalyzed by the chaotic conditions. It’s heartbreaking to note that approximately 80,000 enslaved individuals also fell victim to these grim circumstances.
Economic Aftermath
Financially, the war was nothing short of disastrous for the United States. The total cost of the Civil War, factoring in expenditures for armaments, transportation, food, and other necessary supplies, is approximated at a staggering $5.5 billion. This economic weight triggered a sea change in the country’s fiscal policy and led to the introduction of the first income tax in the United States.
Profound Societal Transformation
The end of the Civil War set the stage for colossal societal changes. The post-war era, commonly known as Reconstruction, aimed to readmit the secessionist states into the Union and establish civil rights for the newly freed African Americans. This period was fraught with tension, as the South was forced to adapt to an entirely new social order abruptly.
The Aftermath of the Civil War: The Reconstruction Era (1865-1877)
After the devastating American Civil War, the country faced the colossal task of rebuilding itself, not just physically, but also socially, politically, and economically. The period that followed, coined as the Reconstruction Era, was as tumultuous and fraught with tension as the war itself.
The Challenges of Reconstruction
The immense challenge of stitching together a nation split apart by a destructive civil war fell on the shoulders of President Andrew Johnson, who took office following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. However, contrary to Abraham Lincoln’s carefully laid plans for the nation’s reconstruction, Johnson adopted a radically different approach.
Johnson’s policies focused primarily on ensuring emancipation, repayment of southern debts, and the South’s allegiance to the Union. Beyond these, he elected to leave the southern states to their devices for rebuilding, which was more appeasement than meaningful reconciliation.
Reclaiming Power: The South’s Landowners
One significant setback was the instant power grab by the influential landowners in the South who sought to regain their pre-war control. Despite efforts like the Freedman’s Bureau, which aimed to provide education and support for the newly freed slaves and poor southern whites, the South gradually slipped back into its old ways.
A Step Back: The Rise of Sharecropping
President Johnson retreated from Union General William T. Sherman’s initial promise of “Forty acres and a mule” to freed families. Most of the land seized during the war for redistribution was returned to its white owners. This failure to make good on the promise of land redistribution led to the rise of a culture of sharecropping by the late 1860s. Ostensibly an improvement over slavery, this system entrapped black and white workers in a cycle of debt, mirroring serfdom.
Moreover, laws were manipulated to force black prisoners to work the land during their sentences, effectively reinstating a form of unpaid labor.
The Silver Lining: Positive Changes During Reconstruction
Despite these setbacks, the Reconstruction Era wasn’t entirely devoid of progress. The period saw an increased focus on widespread education for poor white and freed black communities. Political participation broadened, with black politicians serving in Congress for the first time in American history.
Conclusion
The Reconstruction Era and the Civil War are deeply intertwined segments of American history, highlighting a nation’s struggle to mend divisions and forge a unified path. From turning the tide on slavery to navigating the rollercoaster of Abe Lincoln’s and Andrew Johnson’s drastically different leadership styles, this period was marked by significant societal upheaval. Despite the challenges, it also brought about positive changes, such as the expansion of education and the inception of black political representation. As we trace America’s journey, these historical milestones provide a broader context and understanding of today’s socio-political terrain.