Civil War (apr 12, 1861 – apr 9, 1865)

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The Civil War's impact on Georgia was extreme. At the time, Milledgeville served as the state capital of Georgia. Governor Joseph E. Brown held office throughout the war and was a big advocate of states’ rights. Under his leadership, Georgia became a key part of the Confederate war effort, as the state supplied tons of troops, food, and many military materials. Brown often butted heads with Jefferson Davis (the Confederate president) over the use of the states resources, showing the tensions within the Confederacy.

Georgia also had some of the most damaging campaigns of the war. In 1864, General William T. Sherman launched the Atlanta Campaign, capturing the city after months of fighting. This win would go on to help secure President Lincoln’s reelection. From Atlanta, Sherman began his "March to the Sea," wreaking havoc through Georgia as his troops would burn farms, railroads, factories, and entire towns all the way to Savannah. This march was the turning point in the war, as it left much of Georgia in ruins.

The Civil War disrupted everyday life in Georgia. Georgians faced food shortages, inflation, and even the destruction of their homes. Slaves took advantage of this chaos to escape the plantations and seek refuge with Union forces. When the war ended in 1865, Georgia’s economy was in shambles, as it relied mostly on slavery and agriculture. The end of slavery forced Georgia to a complete rebuild in society. During the postwar years, Georgia was under military control and had to accept the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. Milledgeville remained the state capital until 1868, when Atlanta officially took its place, showing modernization of the war’s aftermath.

Sources:
Waugh, G.W. (2023). The American War: A History of the Civil War Era. 3rd Edition.
https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/civil-war-in-georgia-overview/
https://www.gcsu.edu/sites/files/page-assets/node-452/attachments/shermans_march_to_the_sea_and_milledgeville_ga.pdf
https://www.britannica.com/place/Georgia-state/Slavery-the-Civil-War-and-Reconstruction

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