...The battle of Gettysburg is considered as a critical turning point in the American Civil wars. The term describes a three-day battle fought between the armies of General Robert Lee and George Gordon’s army. The battle was fought around Gettysburg on July 1863. It is considered the bloodiest moment in the history of American Civil war, which led to the deaths of 50,000 men from either side. The two factions engaged in a full-blown war for the first time at Chancellorsville, which was dominated by Lee’s army. This compelled Lee to engage in a second campaign in the war-torn Northern Virginia. In the second day of the battle, the union army under the command of General Gordon held defensive positions while Lee’s army advanced towards the North....
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...Describe the “new birth of freedom” Lincoln called for in 1863 for that happened during Reconstruction. This essay will examine the new birth of freedom. On December 8, 1863, President Lincoln offered a preliminary plan to reunite Confederate states with the Union. The Civil War, in the words of President Abraham Lincoln, brought to America "a new birth of freedom." President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, as the nation approached its third year of bloody civil war. The proclamation declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free."By the war's end it was already clear that Reconstruction would bring far-reaching changes in Southern society and a redefinition of the place of blacks in American life. This is important because the expansive wording, the Emancipation Proclamation was limited in many ways. It applied only to states that had seceded from the Union, leaving slavery untouched in the loyal Border States. It also expressly exempted parts of the Confederacy that had already come under Northern control. Most important, the freedom it promised depended upon Union military victory. Although the Emancipation Proclamation did not end slavery in the nation, it captured the hearts and imagination of millions of Americans and fundamentally transformed the character of the war. After January 1, 1863, every advance of federal troops expanded the domain of freedom. Moreover, the Proclamation...
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...There have been many important and exciting events to have happened in the United States history. All of these have played an important role in the creation and future of our country. In this essay, I will be writing about Abraham Lincoln whose main goal during his presidency was to end slavery. I will also be writing about the civil war which played an important role with him during his presidency as well. The American Civil War, which was also known as the War Between the States, was one of the deadliest and bloodiest wars in United States history. It was fought between the northern and southern states of the US. The War started in 1861 when the slave states of the south founded the Confederate States of America under United States President Jefferson Davis. The northern states which were under United States President Abraham Lincoln, were against slavery. The Civil War was fought mainly...
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...“Essay Question 4” In 1865, the Union declared victory over the Confederate States following their surrender at Appomattox Courthouse, Va. The American Civil War was fought between the Northern states of the Union and the Southern Confederate States of America. The Civil War started April 12, 1861 after the first shot was fired on Fort Sumter in the harbor outside Charleston, S.C. The first major battle did not take place until July 21, 1861, and it was a commonly held belief that the war would be decided during this one battle. It took four years of battle and destruction before the Confederate States surrendered to Union forces in 1865. The Race Relations was one area with great potential for violence, although many black leaders stressed nonviolence. Since the mid- 1950s, King and others had been leading disciplined mass protests of black Americans in the South against segregation, emphasizing appeals to the conscience of the white majority (see civil rights movement). Lastly, the question implies the possibility of a counterfactual answer: The South really won the war. I have heard this argument made, and I am not persuaded. I know the logic: The racism that emerged in the postwar U.S., especially but not only in the South, looked like slavery under a different name; the South won the war of history and memory, securing the honor of the cause and forcing reunion on Southern white supremacist terms. And, indeed at a certain, meta – historical level...
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...Thematic Essay Practice – Reform Movements US History/Napp Name: __________________ From the August 2004 New York States Regents/ U.S. History & Government THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs addressing the task below, and a conclusion. Theme: Reform Movements Task: Some suggestions you might wish to consider include the abolitionist movement, Populist movement, Progressive movement, women’s rights movement, civil rights movement, and the labor movement. Gathering the Facts: 1- The Abolitionist Movement • “The goal of the abolitionist movement was the immediate emancipation of all slaves and the end of racial discrimination and segregation. • Advocating for immediate emancipation distinguished abolitionists from more moderate anti-slavery advocates who argued for gradual emancipation, and from free-soil activists who sought to restrict slavery to existing areas and prevent its spread further west. • Radical abolitionism was partly fueled by the religious fervor of the Second Great Awakening, which prompted many people to advocate for emancipation on religious grounds. • Abolitionist ideas became increasingly prominent in Northern churches and politics beginning in the 1830s, which contributed to the regional animosity between North and South leading up to the...
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...Essay on American Nations Predictable Anti-progressiveness of the Southern bloc With healthcare reform and the recent government shutdown, one might want to know what has made our country so divided. The truth of the matter is that our nation is still broken up into distinct regions with ideologies dating back to the first settlers. Although our nation was strongly initiated on the grounds of revolution and liberty, the entire country has not always had the same views. While we as a country have been through a great number of immigration waves, civil war, and reform, the nation is still divided into two significant blocs with opposing ideologies. While hear in the Northern alliance of reform we do not feel as much tension because of our numerous victories, the Southern bloc is desperately struggling to maintain any connection to its aristocratic past. Having numerous failures due to its lack of size compared to its northern counterpart, the Southern bloc is irrationally unwilling to succumb to our helpful ideologies. This is clearly evident in the recent rejection of Medicaid by many nations in the Southern bloc. Historical evidence and current maps have the same split on important issues. The continuous pattern of the southern states’ reluctance to reform is predictable. Since early pre-civil war era, our country has been broken up into many different cultures from our initial settlers. Four of the biggest of these cultures includes Yankeedom, Midland, Appalachia, and the...
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...History Final Essay Throughout American history, democracy has been an ever changing system of government; however it is far from perfect. It is constantly shaped by wealth and people of higher power. This played a significant role throughout the early 1800s in limiting the power of African Americans and people of lower socioeconomic statuses. These issues began to rise between the Jeffersonian and Jacksonian democracy from the start of the American Revolution through the Civil War. During this time period, a vast number of changes were implemented into the system of democracy, many of which still remain active today. Democracy created a variety of conflicts between the “Whigs” and the Democrats during the mid-1830s. These battles were fueled by their different beliefs regarding the economic issues of policy, political leaders and different class powers. “Like the Federalist of the 1790s, the Whigs wanted a political world dominated by men of ability and wealth” (Henretta 313). The majority of Whigs were yeomen whites who did not support the power of democrats who were mainly planters (313). These planters were driven by the sole purpose to acquire property and combine man labor with the world’s resources, they did this through slavery. These men believed they possessed the right to replace government if they felt it could not properly protect them and their property (Farless lecture). Most southern planters began to blame their short-comings on the northern states as they...
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...History Final Essay Throughout American history, democracy has been an ever changing system of government; however it is far from perfect. It is constantly shaped by wealth and people of higher power. This played a significant role throughout the early 1800s in limiting the power of African Americans and people of lower socioeconomic statuses. These issues began to rise between the Jeffersonian and Jacksonian democracy from the start of the American Revolution through the Civil War. During this time period, a vast number of changes were implemented into the system of democracy, many of which still remain active today. Democracy created a variety of conflicts between the “Whigs” and the Democrats during the mid-1830s. These battles were fueled by their different beliefs regarding the economic issues of policy, political leaders and different class powers. “Like the Federalist of the 1790s, the Whigs wanted a political world dominated by men of ability and wealth” (Henretta 313). The majority of Whigs were yeomen whites who did not support the power of democrats who were mainly planters (313). These planters were driven by the sole purpose to acquire property and combine man labor with the world’s resources, they did this through slavery. These men believed they possessed the right to replace government if they felt it could not properly protect them and their property (Farless lecture). Most southern planters began to blame their short-comings on the northern states as they...
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...--------------------------------------- This essay was downloaded from CheatHouse.com (c) Loadstone 1995-2003. More essays, papers, reports, study notes and more can always be found at: - http://www.CheatHouse.com - --------------------------------------- Within the last century, the scale of war has made necessary a different type of leader. We no longer fight for our farms, villages, and hunting lands. Our interests have shifted from straits and mountain passes. In our current world, as a result of technological revolutions and ever growing political instability, we live in the threat of a global war. Actions have the potential to resonate in many continents subsequently influencing the economies, policies, and war strategies of nations worldwide. For these reasons, leaders must study the past and integrate history's lessons learned with the new challenges of leading within a heightened threat. Military leaders must maintain their grasp and focus on the technical mastery of warfighting, personal courage, and the ability to inspire men to fight for a common cause. Victory will lend itself to the commander who can master the terrain and find new or creative ways to employ his weapons and men. Leaders must be technically proficient with the arms they use to wage war. In a broad example, the Spartans studied the natural tendency of phalanx formations to shift right and employed special tactics to break off part of their formation and bring it upon the flank...
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...US History II Honors 16 September 2015 Pre-Civil War Essay The first cause of the American Civil War was the Mexican-American War in 1848. The Mexican-American war was fought in order to determine which country gained control over the south-western states. The south-western states include; Texas, New Mexico, California, and Arizona. In the end the Mexican-American war concluded with an American victory. At the same time the Mexican-American War was taking place the California Gold Rush was also beginning. During the Gold Rush people from all over the US were traveling to California in the hopes of getting rich. Due to the quantity of people to go to California all at the same time California qualified for statehood (based on their population at the time). Prior to the Gold Rush in 1849 the US had 30 states; 15 free states (north) and 15 slave states (south). By adding California the number of states becomes an odd number. The southern states (slave) wanted California to enter as a slave state, and the northern states (free) wanted California to enter as a free state. The Compromise of 1850 made California a free state, which made the south mad that they were now no longer even with the north. In order to make the south happy since the north got California the Fugitive Slave Act was put into place. The Fugitive Slave Act was an act that said the north must help the south to retrieve their slaves who escaped to the north. The main problem with this act was that there...
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...opposed to slavery given his his support for the Crittenden Doctrine, which restricted the ability for Congress to ever intervene with slavery. In addition to this, Lincoln was paralysed as President as any substantive opposition to Slavery could see another wave of secession of the border and Southern states. Lincoln was not the only factor which lead to the Emancipation Proclamation being passed. There was the role of Congress in allowing the bill to pass and the role of the slaves themselves for making the abolition of Slavery a Union war aim. This essay will explore the roles played by these three factors and then deduce whether Lincoln is deserving of this title. It can be argued by many that the main reason why the thirteenth amendment was passed was because of the role of the slaves at the time. The civil war created a chaotic scene across the border and Southern states which allowed many slaves to flee to the North as refugees. Despite Northern racism and bigotry, those slaves which had managed to escape to the Union states were determined to offer themselves through selling cakes and miscellaneous activities. These activities caused Union fighters to recognise the human characteristics possessed by these slaves. This can be seen by the quotation from General Doubleday “They also know…have exposed the haunts of secession spies and traitors”. Furthermore...
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...The American Civil War is said to be “the last ancient war and the first modern war.” One of the last wars with mass cavalry units and the first war which railroads placed a major part. This was a difficult time for the North and South, not only were they fighting a Civil War, they were adjusting to new inventions. They have gone from horse-drawn carriages to railroads, medical practices that had barely changed in a hundred years; were now treating wounds caused by new inventions. This would be a new kind of war for both the North and South. Prior to the Civil War each side had its advantages and disadvantages. If you were to compare them you would find differences in economic, social to cultural even transportation then any similarities. With so many difference and beliefs it’s no wonder they tore the nation apart, fought against family members and destroyed property. The South was in all aspects following behind the North and did not except or want changes imposed by the North. Regardless of the differences perhaps at the beginning of the war the South was ready to defend its way of life. Their over all differences lead to the Civil War and it was not solely because of slavery, but the right to live as they had for years. Before the war you had the upper and lower South who did not agree to secession at the same time. This caused a dividing line not only was the North and South divided the South was divided between its self. These eight states, Kentucky, Tennessee...
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...Back in the 70s and early 80s, historical journals and essays failed to include film as a possible medium to portray history. Even if a film were an accurate depiction of past events, it would not be recognized by any historian to be legitimate. However, nowadays almost all major journals publish reviews, analysis, and essays on film and is recognized as valid. Mel Gibson’s 1999 film Braveheart is a clear example of why historians never accepted film. Although it won 5 Oscars, the film has been classified as one of the worst medieval movies (by historical accuracy). From the introductory opening scenes, to the end credits, the film fails miserably to represent the life and times of William Wallace and makes up stories to better fit a Hollywood audience. In this essay, I will examine the historical facts of the 13th century war between Scotland and England, and the way it was portrayed in Braveheart. Directed and starred by Mel Gibson, Braveheart was seen as a huge success. The film was about a man named William Wallace. Wallace was a commoner and landowner in 13th century Scotland. He led the Scottish rebellion against the English to get back the freedom and sovereignty Scotland deserved. He was knighted and titled “Guardian” of Scotland after a victory in the battle of Sterling Bridge. After losing the Battle of Falkirk, Wallace’s rebellion plummeted and he was later captured and executed for high treason by King Edward I. These are the very few facts the film actually illustrated...
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...The Treaty of Troyes (1420) looked to have all but secured English victory in the Hundred Years War. England was undefeated in open battle and decisive victories at Crecy (1346), Poitiers (1356) and Agincourt (1415) further reinforced their apparent invincibility in the field. Furthermore the victorious King Henry V had become both the heir and regent of France, a kingdom ruled by a crazed king and crippled by civil war. Yet ultimately the English were defeated and this essay shall explore how the emergence of Joan of Arc, fiscal crises in England and the defection of Burgundy contributed to such a dramatic change of fortunes within the Hundred Years War. From the outset of the war it was political turmoil within France which drove English success. King Edward III compensated for England’s comparatively small army by capitalising on ‘provincial grievances and provincial separatism’ to acquire the support of key nobles within both Brittany and Normandy by 1354. Faced with the superior military technology and tactics of the English, and occupied on too many fronts by both the English and her own subjects, France simply could not sustain the war effort. Consequently France was forced into ratifying the Treaty of Brétigny (1360) which saw provinces such as Ponthieu and Aquitaine ceded to England in full sovereignty. Within fifty years history was repeating itself, as the bouts of madness suffered by King Charles VI meant that the French government was all but completely controlled...
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...find out just what equality means and to have the same rights and freedom as the white people in the nation. Whether as slaves or free people, the political and social status of African Americans has always been to obtain the ability to participate in the nation’s economy. While many historians believe that slavery and politics can be attributed to the Civil War, more than 600,000 Americans died and with the help of the Emancipation Proclamation to start the motion to free the slaves, America became even more a divided country in 1865 than the previous earlier years (Bowles, 2011). Although freedom in the post-Civil War years did not guarantee equality, African Americans continued to struggle from racism, segregation and discrimination for many years, but the birth of equality is beginning to grow and show that all men and women are created equal. The effort to integrate African Americans (ex-slaves) in the American society after the war, known as the Reconstruction Period, was a very difficult task and while the country was divided between the North and South, racism was still very much alive. The end of the Civil War was supposed to mean the end of slavery and the beginning of equal rights for all former slaves; however, plantation owners found it difficult...
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