text: [Themes: edutainment, historical, war, serious]
  
  As America expanded westward, the future of slavery split political parties and religious groups alike. It took a Civil
  War and more than 625,000 deaths to decide the fundamental proposition that all men are created equal...
  
  Following a war on Mexico ended in 1848, the victorious United States gains hundreds of miles of land to the south and west of its growing borders. As many pioneers head westward, debates already begin to spark as to whether or not these newly-freed territories will be pro or anti-slavery. Abolitionists, individuals and groups who were against the concept of slavery, often argued that if we hold some men to lower standards to others, we are defying the principles on which the nation was founded: all men are created equal.
  
  On the other hand, pro-slavery individuals and groups stated that slaves were black, clearly an inferior race. Many even said that allowing them a position such as slave is an elevation from what they should be; in other words, a Negro should consider the opportunity to be a slave a reward.
  
  Tensions between free and slave states rose until their fury came to a head on October 6th, 1859. An abolitionist by the name of John Brown decided that it was time to make a stand against slave-owners. Brown and 21 other men (including five freed slaves) launched a raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia (a slave state), where the local militia kept many weapons and supplies. Intervention by the militia saw the raid quelled and John Brown captured and thrown in prison. Brown was later sentenced to death.
  
  Regardless of this failed attempt to make a stand, this raid served as the first true conflict that would lead into the Civil War.
  
  "I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away, but with blood." - John Brown, in a note shortly before his execution.
  
  [Author's Note: America - a nation divided by slavery. As tensions rise between the Northern and Southern states, the young country struggles to maintain civility, even within its own borders. You switch between playing as President Abraham Lincoln and General Ulysses S. Grant, making decisions both on and off the battlefield that will decide the future of a nation. Will you make history, or change it? This is based off of the bloodiest and most violent war in American history. Please, if you are squeamish and easily frightened/offended, I would not recommend playing this storygame. Note: This is one of my first storygames, so I absolutely welcome any criticisms, comments, suggestions, compliments, or any type of feedback that you are willing to give. I truly do take each and every one of your comments seriously, so any feedback is greatly appreciated!]
  
  > The Union Dissolves
  December 20th, 1860. South Carolina secedes from the Union, less than two months after abolitionist Abraham ​
  
  Lincoln is elected 16th president of the United States. In the following months, a total of eleven states had seceded to form the Confederate States of America, where slavery was accepted and encouraged...
  
  Feeling that their pro-slavery agenda could not progress while an abolitionist remained in the White House, the newly-formed Confederacy decided to take action. On April 12th, 1861, Confederate General P. G. T. Beauregard demanded that Union troops release the South Carolina fort, Fort Sumter. Union Major Robert Anderson refused, and the Confederacy opened fire, ringing the first official shots of the Civil War.
  
  After 34 hours of battle, the Fort fell into the hands of the Confederate Army. In response, President Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to suppress the Southern insurrection. While Lincoln wanted to avoid war at all costs with what he still considered part of the true United States, it was necessary to take action against their violence.
  
  Lincoln weighed his options. The North, which is primarily industrial, may soon be at war with the South, which has an economy based off of cotton. If he were to establish a blockade against the South, it may keep them from receiving well-needed supplies for their effort. However, doing so may result in more hostility towards the North, most likely taking a step back from the opportunity for peace and resolution. Plus, the South may seek foreign help from Great Britain, whose economy is reliant on cotton produced in Southern states.
  
  The choices weigh heavily before Lincoln: declare a blockade on the South and cut them off from essential supplies, but risk increasing hostility and lowering the chance of a peaceful resolution to the conflict...
  
  ...or, leave the economy as is, so that the South is less likely to turn to foreign aid, and a peaceful resolution may still be obtained.
  
  > declare a blockade on the Confederacy
  Lincoln decides to order a blockade against the Southern states, so that no goods can travel between them and the Northern
  states.
  
  The maneuver is successful in cutting off the Confederacy from much-needed supplies, but because of this action, the South has gained a powerful ally who will be instrumental in the growing war: Robert E. Lee. As a result of the blockade, Lee resigns from his position in the United States army and travels to Virginia, where he is offered command of the military and naval forces there, which he accepts.
  
  As Lincoln suspected, the South also turns to Great Britain for support. A stroke of luck strikes for the Union, however, when England decides to remain neutral in the war against the North. Infuriated by Great Britain's response, the South threatens to withhold cotton, a primary piece in Europe's textile-based economy, until England gives them the support they demand. England still refuses, revealing the presence of large stockpiles of cotton massed before the war, enough to hold them out until the conflict in the States is resolved. However, Great Britain still allows the Confederacy to purchase weapons and ships from them for use against the Union, much to the North's dismay.
  
  Becoming impatient, the Confederate Army marches towards the capitol, Washington D.C. The Union Army intercepts that at a location just 25 miles southwest of Washington called Bull Run on July 21st, 1861. The Union soldiers, led by General Irvin McDowell, suffer a defeat and head back to Washington to defend the capitol.
  
  Being so close to the capitol, many onlookers watched the battle from afar. After it was lost, many members of Congress used the battle as an example to show what they called "poor Union generalship." As a response, Lincoln replaced McDowell with George B. McClellan, an arrogant but brilliant man. It is after this near assault on Washington that Lincoln truly realizes how long and terrible this war might be.
  
  "It's damned bad." - Abraham Lincoln after First Bull Run defeat.
  
  > The Second Year
  In the early months of 1862, the Union faced imminent victory over the Confederacy. The newly appointed
  Commander, General George B. McClellan, was able to take Richmond, Virginia, advancing ever-deeper into Confederate territory. Meanwhile, battles in the western theater of war were going well for the Union also. The new General Ulysses S. Grant saw a major victory after taking forts Belmont and Henry, in Kentucky and Tennessee, respectively. Then, with his army of 25,000 Union troops, Grant took on the 12,000 Confederate troops at Fort Donelson and was victorious, earning the nickname "Unconditional Surrender" Grant...
  
  Following his victory at Fort Donelson, General Grant stationed his troops at Shiloh, along the Tennessee River. The Confederate Army, angered at Grant for taking three of their forts in a month's time, decide to take action against the General. On April 6th, 1862, a group of 42,000 Confederates marched on Shiloh.
  
  General Grant weighs his options. The army he commanded was now made up of roughly 49,000 troops, while the Confederate army on the offensive was 42,000 strong. Due to its prime location on the Tennessee River, if Confederate troops were able to take Shiloh, it would put them dangerously close to the Union-controlled Richmond, which was only a few steps away from Washington.
  
  However, if he stayed and fought, there might be countless casualties on both sides, no matter who emerged victorious.
  
  It was a battle of extremes. Either flee and spare the lives of most likely thousands of men, allowing the Confederate troops to take Shiloh (and possibly Richmond after that), or fight back, defending the Union borders, but risking many casualties in the process.
  
  > flee and allow the Confederates to take Shiloh
  Grant leads his troops out of Shiloh, retreating back to Richmond and allowing the Confederates to take their
  previously held forts and locations in the western theater. Gaining a foothold in the west once more, the Confederacy decides to flank the Union states from both the west and south, forcing the demoralized Union to fight a war on two fronts. Many of the troops under Grant's command lost respect for their commander after fleeing Shiloh, and the troops fight only halfheartedly as they start to realize Grant's mistake.
  
  The Union is unable to stop the Confederates advance up to Washington D.C. The Union army fights a hard fight, but are unsuccessful in fending off the Confederate invaders. D.C. is captured by the slave-states, the White House raided and Lincoln's presidency quickly demolished. All previously free African Americans are auctioned off as slaves, and the Union surrenders shortly after, having now choice but to accept the terms of the Confederacy.
  
  So Ulysses S. "Unconditional Surrender" Grant is forced to surrender to the Confederate Army.
  
  I pledge allegiance to the flag of the Confederate States of America.
  
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