Thesis:
Behind the lines of the battlefield, there were social and political battles constantly clashing. Many attempts were made to fix the damage done to the country.
Behind the lines of the battlefield, there were social and political battles constantly clashing. Many attempts were made to fix the damage done to the country.
Emerging Parties leading up to the conflict: Before the Civil War, the two main parties after the Mexican-American War were the Whigs and the Democrats. However, after the Wilmot Proviso had been passed, and neither party had addressed it, a third party, the Free-Soil Party was made to please anti-slavery northerners. In the election of 1852, the Whig party began to crumble as they did not please the south and raised issues that the country did not want to deal with. A new party was created in the 1850's called the Know-Nothing Party. They did not support immigration. Another new party rose to power called the Republican Party. They were led by previous Whigs and Democrats and got many of the Northern Know-Nothing nativists. After some time, the two major parties during the midst of Southern secession were the the Democrats and the Republicans. http://history1800s.about.com/od/presidentialcampaigns/a/politicalparty1.htm This website gives insight to the various political parties of the 19th century.
Conscription in the Union and Confederacy: As both sides realized that the war would not be short, they had to establish conscriptions. April in 1862 for the Confederacy and July for the Union. More than half of the nations 5.5 million men were in the army for the war. In this war, the soldiers were well aware of what they were fighting for. It was looked down upon to be drafted, and much more ideal for men to enlist themselves. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/congress-passes-civil-war-conscription-act A description on more details of the draft is shown here as well as a history of the drafts of other wars.
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| The flag of the Know-Nothing party |
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| A draft notice |
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| Clement Valladigham |
Lincoln’s Leadership: Abraham Lincoln was one of the major advantages that the Union had over the Confederacy. He had the ability to see the weaknesses in the enemy as well as himself and the Union. He appointed necessary generals and took out the ones who weren't perfroming as expected. He spoke very clearly about his intentions which motivated the country. Lincoln had a personal prescence and the people were greatly moved by his speeches and writings. His purpose was clear an inspired many. http://www.fastcompany.com/3002803/leadership-genius-abraham-lincoln This website references the new Lincoln movie that was realeased in 2012 and traces back the genius leadership of our 16th president.
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| Honest Abe |
Emancipation Proclamation: On September 22, 1862, Lincoln released the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation which gave the Confederacy 100 days to surrender. After no response, Lincoln, on January 1, 1863, declared that all slaves in the South were free. This made the Unions goal to free the slaves for this war, and inspired many slaves to run to the north and be free. http://www.emancipationproclamation.org/ Here is an entire website dedicated to the Emancipation Proclamation.
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| Many African Americans witnessing the Emancipation Proclamation |
Scalawags: In 1867, the Republican Party was divided into three social groups. One had bussinessmen. In this coalition were people called scalawags who were former Whig planters or merchants that were born in the South and now saw a chance for industrial development.
Carpetbaggers:
In the same class as the Scalawags, these businessmen were arrivals from the North. http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h240.html For more information on these two groups of people, this website is very interesting.
Freedmen’s Bureau: `In 1866, President Johnson vetoed the Freedmen's Bureau. This gave aid to former slaves by providing relief, education, legal help and assistance in obtaining land and a job. http://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/freedmens-bureau/ Here is background and more details on the Bureau.
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| A bank created for newly freed slaves. Made directly from the Freedmen's Bureau |
10 Percent Plan: After the War was over, Lincoln;s idea for fixing the previously broken country was made in his Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction he made in December 1863. This said that any southerner willing to abide to the Union and Emancipation was given full pardon. If 10% of all voters in a state took oath, they could set up a loyal government. http://www.sparknotes.com/history/american/reconstruction/section1.html A summary of the Ten Percent Plan.
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| Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction |
13th, 14th, & 15th Amendments: These were considered the Reconstruction Amendments. The 13th was ratified in the December of 1865. It stated that slavery was prohibited in the United States. The 14th gave national citizenship to anyone born in the US, the state representation in Congress reduced proportionally to the number of voters idea was disfranchised, former Confederates could not hold office, and the Confederate debt was repudiated. It was ratified in February of 1867. The 15th amendment prohibited the denial of franchise because of race, color, or past servitude. This was ratified in March of 1870. http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/the-reconstruction-amendments-the-13th-14th-and-15th-amendments.html#lesson This website gives a great overview of the entire civil war connected to these amendments.
Tenure of Office Act: Passed on March 7, 1867, this act was made to combat Andrew Johnson, the 17th President from interfeering in Reconstruction. The Tenure of Office Act said that the Senate had to approve of the removal of cabinet members and other officials who were appointed by the consent of the Senate. http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h170.html This website gives an overview as well as links to other websites regarding the Act.
Military Reconstruction Act: This act passed by the Radical Republicans despite Johnson's veto was made to restructure the souther governments and punish them for seceding. The Military Reconstruction Act divided the South into five military districts. Virginia became the first district, North Carolina and South Carolina the second district, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida the third district, Mississippi and Arkansas the fourth district, and Louisiana and Texas the fifth district. http://civilwar.bluegrass.net/AftermathAndReconstruction/militaryrule.html More details are explored in this website.
Compromise of 1877: This unwritten compromise was made regarding the 1876 election. Rutherford B. Hayes was given the presidency as long as he removed federal troops from the south, decreasing Republican power. The Democrats were now in power. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compromise_of_1877 Many more interesting facts are found here.
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