American Civil War

The American Civil War was fought between the northern and southern United States, commonly referred to as the "Union" and "Confederacy," respectively.

Background
The beneath the fog of stories and narratives, the conflict's origins were layed in the issue of heavy taxations, tarriffs and a morbid fear of an overreaching government. At the time, the southern states were considered to be very wealthy. Consequently, they were responsible for 80% of all taxes being paid to the US Government, which became a burden on the lower class citizens. In addition, the US had imposed the Morrill Tarriff which rose from 20% to a staggerring 47%. The tarriffs were a measure to try and protect big businesses who could not compete with England and France, two countries whom the South would trade cotton for goods. After the election of a Republican by the name of Abraham Lincoln, several Southern states seceded and formed the Confederate States of America. Tensions continued to build up with the seizing of federal forts in the South. Following an unsuccessful attempt at coming to a compromise, war was declared when the Confederates attacked the Union-held Fort Sumter in South Carolina. And the Civil War began.

For the first time in American history, the Union government issued a conscription that drafted over two million soldiers into the US military. During the war, Abraham Lincoln issued both his famous Emancipation Proclamation war measure and the more famous Gettysburg Address in 1863, which were both defining statutes in his presidential career.

Also for the first time did America witness "total war," as Maj. Gen. William Sherman, who developed a deep seated hatred for the south, followed a scorched earth policy from Atlanta to Savannah; killing and imprisoning civilians, burning down entire towns, destroying railways and infrastructure, and raiding homes and businesses for goods and supplies. The purpose was to break the back of the Confederacy as well as to send a message to anyone who dared to stand against the US. With much pleasure from Lincoln, Sherman's actions are considered to be one of the greatest achievements of the union war effort. Such an impression had Sherman left on history, that 80 years later in WWII, the US military named a line of tanks after him in which they used extensively against the German lines.

After many years of fighting and heavy losses on both sides, Union forces were able to break the will and spirit of the south and capture the Confederate capital: Richmond, Virginia. Shortly after, Confederate general Robert E. Lee surrendered in April of 1865. In May of the same year, President Andrew Johnson, who became president following Abraham Lincoln's assassination, declared an end to the war. By that summer, all remaining Confederate generals had surrendered.

Appearances
The American Civil War is mentioned only in Fallout 3.

Gallery
Guerra Civil Americana Гражданская война в США Громадянська війна в США