Politics of the Civil War, and of the reconstruction are both very crucial to American History for monuments changes began in this nation at that time.
Emerging Parties leading up to the conflict
Emerging Parties leading up to the conflict
Due to the results of the election of 1860, the South seceded and formed the Confederacy. Soon after, the Civil War began. By the time the campaign was in full swing, there were four parties running that had originated form the original two: Republican and Douglas Democrat. The candidates of this election were Abraham Lincoln (Republican), John C. Breckinridge (Southern Democrat), Stephen A. Douglas (Northern Democrat), and John Bell (Constitutional Union). As seen below, the South and North were separated by an invisible line. In the North, Douglas and Lincoln were competing and it was evident that Lincoln was winning, as shown by the pink. In the South, Breckinridge and Bell were winning, but Breckinridge was on top. Initially, the election came down to Lincoln and Breckinridge. In the end, Lincoln, who was opposed to slavery won. This happened because majority of the popular vote was against slavery, so Lincoln was favored. As he won office, the South felt powerless as they had no influence over the government. So they left the Union, and the Civil War soon followed.
Conscription in the Union and Confederacy
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| This form appears to be a primary source of an exemption from being drafted into the southern draft |
Copperheads
Northerners who opposed the Civil War were referred to as Copperheads. Typically Democrats, these people wanted to find a more peaceful alternative to settle the problem between the Union and Confederacy. They were dubbed Copperheads, after the pesky snake no one liked. People in favor of war saw these those opposed to it as traitors. Looking for a derogatory term to insult these traitors, the snake species was a good place to search since being called a snake was quite an insult. Although this nickname was mean to cause hurt, it soon became something to be proud of. People flaunted the fact that they were copperheads by wearing copper pennies sewn to clothing. Copperheads were proud, because they had their beliefs and stood by them, even if that caused others to frown upon them.
Lincoln’s Leadership
Lincoln was a very intelligent and resourceful man. Some examples of his resourcefulness are discussed in several posts on the Home page. He was able to use resources such as the train and telegraph to his advantage in this war. He kept his beliefs on slavery the same even throughout the war. Lincoln was intelligent enough to see the amount of potential of the slaves. If they were freed, they would make brilliant warriors. Eventually he passed the Emancipation Proclamation which gave the Union much more power and soldiers as newly freed slaves flocked to the North to fight for freedom. Lincoln lead the Union to victory by giving the army advice, and being open to advice from his generals. Abraham was a true leader as he was able to listen just as well as he was able to advice. He stayed true to his words, and used all that was available to him.
September 22, 1862 was the day that Abraham Lincoln issued this proclamation to emancipate all slaves- more specifically, free all the slaves of the South. This document was invalid in the North, so slavery had only ended in the South. Although this was not the end of all slavery, it was a start. The Emancipation Proclamation established that fact, and this war became a fight for freedom for African Americans everywhere.
Scalawags and Carpetbaggers
Freedmen’s Bureau
The Freedmen's Bureau was a temporary agency that was set up to aid former slaves get up on their feet and start new lives. This establishment provided education, legal help with situations such as acquiring land. The Bureau gave protection, as shown in the cartoon above. A Freedmen's agent is standing between an angry mob of whites and African Americans.
10 Percent Plan
The 10 Percent Plan was a part of reconstruction after the Civil War. After at least 10% of of voters in each state pledged their loyalty to the Union, only then could the state start setting up a state government to organize and rebuild.
Tenure of Office Act
This act required the Senate to approve the removal of cabinet members and other officials whose appointment had needed the consent of the Senate.
Military Reconstruction Act
The government was now under the control of the Radical Republicans, and this act in 1867 passed despite the veto from president Johnson. The concept of this act was that it would help the South reconstruct its government by using the North as an example. This act was a punishment of sorts for the South, and it also secured the freedom of slaves in these states.
Compromise of 1877
After the election, it became evident to all that the fate of the races relied heavily on the return of the disputed lands; Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina. These three states held the most power with republican governments. These three states wanted to revert back to a Democratic government, but the only way to do so was to strike a deal with Rutherford B. Hayes. If these states secured their vote for him, he would remove all republican influence from these states.13th, 14th, & 15th Amendments
Sources:
Divine, Robert A., T. H. Breen, George M. Fredrickson, R. Hal Williams, Ariela Julie. Gross, and H. W. Brands. America past and Present. Boston: Longman, 2011. Print.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/congress-passes-civil-war-conscription-act
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