History of the United States I / Unit 15 USH1 2112 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Who Fired First
Captions available
The idea
Lincoln announced he would resupply the garrison rather than reinforce or abandon it, placing responsibility for starting a war on the Confederacy.
In practice
Bombardment beginning on April twelfth, eighteen sixty-one, and the garrison surrendering two days later.
Where people slip
On April fifteenth Lincoln called on the loyal states for armed forces. Resupplying a hungry garrison is hard to call an act of war.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
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