...One of Americas most defining moments in history began with a siege on Fort Sumter on April 12th, 1861 in Charleston, South Carolina. When Fort Sumter was attacked by the Confederacy, few realized the implications of what had just happened. It was at this time that America’s most deadly war took place, and the beginning of a new era of freedom for all had begun. Six days after South Carolina declared is secession from the Federal Union, Maj. Anderson (Union) moved the troops under his control to Fort Sumter; in hopes of delaying an attack by the South. Unfortunately for him, Fort Sumter had not yet been completed. Some of the walls were not as tall as they should have been because they had not yet finished being built. Thus, Maj. Anderson...
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...When people think of the Civil War many think to the outcome of the war and what resulted in the victory of the North, freeing the slave population and unifying the country as it had once been. We tend to look at the aftermath; however, many do not take a chance to look to how the Civil War started or the significant events and figures during the Civil War. Many people have heard of Fort Sumter, but do they really know the significance of Fort Sumter? This fort holds a true significance in what we call the Civil War. This paper will cover the importance of Fort Sumter and why it is so important to the Civil War and the fate of the United States of America. Fort Sumter was the official start of the Civil War; this battle was located near Charleston, South Carolina on April 12th, 1861 and lasted officially until April 14th, 1861 (CivilWarTrust). This...
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...‘The American Civil War was an irrepressible conflict.’ Do you agree? The American Civil war is one of the most studied topics in American history. Yet still, a definitive answer cannot be found as to why the war broke out. Many of the interpretations can be grouped into two major schools of thought: the irrepressible conflict or the Blundering Generation. It was certainly true that the North and South were becoming increasingly different during this period. Slavery being the most fundamental of these, however there was also variances in the economies and culture. This would support the idea that the war was inevitable as the differences were too great. However, it can be argued that radically different societies can co-exist without going to war. Instead, a series of mistakes and misjudgements were made by blundering politicians. There are numerous examples of this; the Kansas-Nebraska Act, Dred Scott and the Fugitive Slave Act to name just a few. In my view, the American Civil War was an irrepressible conflict since compromise on the slavery issue was impossible. Blundering politicians acted as catalysts to ignite the flames of war, however they did not create the differences which acted as the foundation for the irrepressible conflict. The issue of slavery is often cited as the most significant cause of the war. By 1860 the issue of slavery had become too great and compromise was impossible. As Frederick Douglass stated, ‘the more the issue is settled, the more it needs settling...
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...In 1865, the United States of America would change forever. During this year Congress passed the 13th Amendment. This amendment completely abolished slavery in the United States. It also gave Congress the ability to create laws against things that were very similar to slavery. One of these things was peonage. This amendment was one of the biggest laws that would lead to equal rights between African Americans and whites. When speaking about the 13th Amendment we have to take a look back into why it was done. During the 1800s slavery was extremely prominent in the South. Many southerners owned slaves. Some of them owned as few as 5 slaves, while others had over 50 slaves working. Racism was very prominent throughout the United States but especially...
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...The Civil War was a grueling war in history that threatened to tear our country apart. It is arguably one of the most devastating wars because it threatened to sever our nation that had just recently been established. Our country was separated into two opposing sides that had different beliefs and values. At times their ideologies clashed, but in general they had many similar reasons for why they fought for their regions and how they maintained that motivation. James McPherson’s, For Cause and Comrades gives us insight into what goes on in the mind of a Civil War soldier as they prepare to fight, start fighting, and continue to fight. As the reader delves into the psychological reasoning behind why Union and Confederate soldiers fought for the United States of America, the reader discovers that the soldiers definitely had more similar motives than different ones. The beginning chapters of this account by McPherson tell us of the initial motivation of the Civil War soldier to fight. Their initial motivation would be defined as the moment they decided to enlist. McPherson helps us to understand the drive behind these soldiers to fight, sometimes until death, for their country. Two of the driving forces that motivate soldiers to fight were honor and duty (McPherson 5). They were looked upon as honorable if they fought for their country; dying to protect the rights of their country was seen as one of the most righteous ways to die. They also felt a deep connection to their country...
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...After the loss of Fort Sumter, Lincoln that he must take over leadership of the war and prepare a plan defeating the rebellion. Lincoln duties as commander-in-chief were unlike any before him and would the standard for those that follow, taking on unprecedented powers. He increase the war powers of the executive branch; he would use the navy to shut down Confederate shipping ports, allocate defense spending without approval from Congress, and would arrested thousands that were believed to support the Confederate cause. Lincoln was able to do this because he had the full backing of Congress and the north, much like Bush after 9/11. Where Lincoln seemed to have the greatest issue to start with were the Border States where they would need reinforcing, due to the fact that that was where most of the battles would take place. What Lincoln learned early on was that he would need the full support to win the war and that any compromise would anger both sides. When came to slavery for instance, northern democrats wanted him to compromise on slavery while Republicans wanted him to stop delaying the inevitable On August 6, 1861, Lincoln would begin the process by enacting the Confiscation Act that allowed the confiscation and freeing slaves who were used in Confederate war effort. In reality, the law had little effect on slaves or the war but it did signaled the beginning of the end of...
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...This film is about the 54th Massachusetts, set during the Civil War. Edward Zwick was the Director of this film. This instant classic was produced in 1989 and a crew of well-known actors as it stars Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, and Morgan Freeman. Glory follows the personal letters of the events that Robert Shaw went through during his time in the Civil War. This film follows the life of five men during this time, Robert Shaw (Matthew Broderick) who commands the 54th Mass, Private Trip (Denzel Washington), Private Jupiter Sharts, Corporal Thomas Searles (Andre Braugher), and Sergeant Major John Rawlins (Morgan Freeman). Glory follows the personal letters of Robert Shaw and in his letters they begin to tell the story of how African Americans in his unit are undisciplined and are eventually turned into a fighting force. Sergeant Major Mulcahy is brought into the unit to teach the men discipline and makes them train for hours on end. COL. Shaw sees the amount of work that these men have done and convinces his commanders with blackmail that his men should be transferred to a combat unit to be given the chance to prove themselves. When their transfer was finally approved, they are tested with their first major battle to go through, at James Island in Charleston, South Carolina. Since Shaw was in command of mostly African American’s, his soldiers were heavily mocked and tormented by the white Union Soldiers; however after the battle of James Island, the...
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...| Course SyllabusCollege of HumanitiesHIS/115 Version 3U.S. History to 1865 | Copyright © 2011, 2009, 2008 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Course Description This course provides an overview of the social, political, economic, and global events that have shaped the American scene from colonial times through the Civil War period. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum. University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality. Course Materials Schultz, K. M. (2012). HIST2, Volume 1 (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. All electronic materials are available on the student website. Week One: Contact, Settlement, Slavery | | Details | Due | Points | Objectives | 1.1 Describe the clash of cultures that took place in North America between the Native Americans, colonists, and Black slaves. 1.2 Describe the establishment of early colonies. 1.3 Describe the development of regional differences among the...
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...Khalid Alkhaldi History 165 Third Response Paper 2 December 2012 The Civil War stemmed from many issues mainly, the economic differences in the northern and southern states, states’ rights, slavery, the election of Abraham Lincoln and finally the southern succession were the driving forces behind the outbreak of the civil war. Moving into the 19th century, the southern and northern states began to develop different industries and therefore different class systems. In 1793, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin. This invention made cotton extremely profitable and prompted many southern planters to begin farming cotton instead of other crops. In the production of cotton, there is a high need for labor. In the southern states, labor meant slaves. Although there was other options for labor in the south, slaves were the cheapest labor and to planters, cheaper labor meant higher profits. The wealth that was associated with plantation life, led to an agricultural focus in the south. As soon in Visions in America, there was a definite class system present in the south with planters on top, followed by landless white men, and then finally slaves. In the north, the economy was based on industry. The northern economy depended on purchasing raw goods (including those goods manufactured in the southern states) and using those goods in factories and producing finished goods. Because of the increase in factories, people from different cultures and classes began having more interaction....
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...1789- George Washington Becomes President George Washington became the first president of the United States in April 1789. Washington was not planning on becoming president after the Constitutional Convention. His plans were to live a quiet, mellow life in his Virginia estate called Mount Vernon. The news reached him on April 16, 1789 that he was the unanimous choice for the first president and he accepted, leaving his estate two days later. He made his way to New York City to take the oath of office. This is important because being Washington being the first president modeled how future presidents should act. He was a wise and strong willed leader, showing that in the war, he was the leader that the people not only wanted but also needed. George Washington was a big part of creating the foundation for our democracy today. -Aaron...
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...“To what extent was the Civil War a war over slavery?” In this enlightened age, there are few I believe, but what will acknowledge, that slavery as an institution, is a moral and political evil in any Country. Robert E. Lee 620 thousand of soldiers lost their lives, war cost 5 billion dollars, large destructions, especially in the South. 4 million freed slaves by Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Brother shot to brother. Slavery in America has its origins from the beginning of United States existence. In nineteenth century U.S could be called as an young country with wide, noble ideas of independence, equality and economic development; with their own basic law, the first constitution in the World. Regarding to mentioned words; why was it possible to America to start Civil War? The case of America was multidimensional. United States Constitution did not explain laws and behaviour towards blackskinned slaves clearly. The South States of America were place where slavery flourished. Hosts of latifundiums needed ''hands to work'' – slaves were the cheapest solution because hosts after buying a slave with reasonabe price had to care only of the fact that their slave is still alive; they provided slaves with hunger food rations and water – it was a cheap labour which made large land holdings profitable. In general opinion this unhumanitarian situation was the reason of Civil War. But... Was it that clear? ...
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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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...the New Mexico-Texas boundary, and the abolition of the slave trade in the District of Colombia. Southerners gained the burial of the Wilmot Proviso's persistence of new territories being free states, but the position of the free-soilers remained viable, for the compromise left open the question of whether Congress could prohibit slavery in territories outside the Mexican cession. How did the Compromise of 180 affect Southerners? 2) The Fugitive Slave Act affected the relationship between the two sides because often when a slave would leave and escape to the North, northerners wouldn't do anything to help get the slave back, in fact, in most incidents northerners tried to help keep slaves away from southerners if they escaped. South began to realize that opposition to slavery in the North was a threat to what they believed.-What was the Fugitive Slave Act and how did it hurt Southerners? 3) Uncle Tom's Cabin made many people convert to the belief that slavery was wrong and evil. It caused many people to view southerners as evil people. It also made northerners have sympathy for black slaves.-How did this book affect people's view of slavery? 4) The second party system collapsed because Whigs began to split into two groups: the American (know-nothing) Party and the Republican Party. Whigs also began to fall apart because of immigration. They thought immigration would not be important because they wouldn't be a big enough force for...
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...Ethics & Values 6 Attributes 6 Behavior 8 Followers 9 Motivation 9 Satisfaction & Performance 9 Groups 10 The Rocket Model 10 Situation 11 Situational Levels 11 Emancipation Proclamation 12 Death 13 Conclusion 13 References 14 Introduction Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States of America. Abraham was born on February 12, 1809 to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks. He grew up in both Kentucky and Indiana as the son of a farmer who preferred him to work on the farm rather than read books. Lincoln had an intellectual ambition however and was in constant pursuit of knowledge through his readings. Abraham set out for Illinois in 1831 and studied to become a lawyer which he eventually did in 1836 after passing the bar examination. He was then elected to the Illinois State Legislature in 1836, 1838, and 1840. After his retirement from legislature in 1841, Lincoln went on to marry Mary Todd Lincoln in 1842. He then began devoting the majority of his time to law practice until 1847 when he was elected and served in Congress (McPherson, 2000). Lincoln would continue to move in and out of politics for the next 14 years as was continually defeated in bids and elections for office. It wasn’t until 1861, after losing five straight bids for office that Lincoln would be elected President of the United States. On his campaign to the Presidency, Lincoln spoke out to end the institution of slavery instead of allowing the country...
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...strengthened the antislavery movement in the years just before the Civil War? The events that took place prior to the start of the Civil War were in many ways keystones that helped shape the war itself. These events were perceived to be hostile in an already tense time in this young countries years out of infancy. To narrow the events just before the war is just a snapshot view of what can be considerably a lengthy debate. These events to include “The Missouri Compromise of 1820”, “Nat Turners’ Rebellion in the summer of 1831”, “The Compromise of 1850”, “Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 1852 fictional novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”, The “Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854”, The controversial 1857 Dredd Scott decision, in which Dredd Scott v. Sanford ignited a hail storm in which the match was struck and set to the time fuse for the war. The 1859 raid by John Brown on Harpers Ferry in Virginia, The presidential election of 1860 in which Abraham Lincoln was elected president by an overwhelming margin of victory, and of course the start of the war- the battle of Fort Sumter in 1861. This list is not all inclusive and each event has a true backdrop that supports these in each step of the way. Nat Turner’s rebellion of 1831 is a strong precursor to what John Brown did in 1859. Although Turner was a Black Slave and Brown a White sympathizer, each man took a stance similar to what the country was founded upon with it revolutionary war from Britain. The novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” written by a slave was a number...
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