Potential Questions on The Civil War

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1.) Write your definition of revolution. Then use this definition to argue that the Civil War did or did not produce a revolution in the political, economic, and social life of the United States.

A "revolution" can be described as a transformation from old age to a more modern and progressive one. Without a doubt the Civil War produced revolutionary changes in political, economical, and social life of the people of the US. The original federal banking system was specie based and wasnt very prevalent or popular. When Congress passed the Legal Tender Act in 186, the government issued $150 million in government notes known as Americas original "greenbacks". The new greenbacks along with the National Bank Act of 186 signified the first steps toward a standardized national currency. The limited extent of Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation did substantiate a "revolution" which showed a tendency to prefer an existing and traditional situation to big change. Although it didnt abolish slavery completely, it did mark a turning point in history as it cleared the path for "radical change", and became as great a document of freedom as the Constitution for the blacks. It did, however, spark much controversy amongst not only the southerners but some northerners who werent seeking civil war to be a war solely against slavery just yet! The Civil War changed the ways of waging war as the conflict introduced tactics and weapons that were used widely during wars of the late 1800s and 100s. Civil War soldiers were the first to fight under a unified command, to battle from trenches, and to wage a major cordon offense. The war also introduced ironclad ships, mines, and submarines. Railroads and telegraphy were used for the first time in warfare as well. The Northern victory established that no state had the right or power to end the Union. The Civil War also confirmed the U.S. as an industrial nation. Furthermore, the outcome of the war paved the way for the rise of the US as a major global power as it brought America to the vanguard of world politics and issues in the 0th century.

.) Do you think President Lincoln was justified in his violations of ordinary civil liberties during the Civil War? Why or why not?

Lincoln had to do what he had to do in order to preserve the Union. As he boldly put it, "If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that." His suspension of the writ of Habeas Corpus (which caused bitter criticism), the Confiscation Acts (which allowed the seizing of property and slaves or rebelling southerners), and the conscription laws (passed in 186 for the south and 186 for the north called for able white men to fight for their side) were amongst some of the civil liberties he had to sacrifice for the stake of the nation. The draft worked poorly and was extremely unpopular in many areas of both North and especially in the South. He was certainly justified in his violations mainly because of his effort and strong will to preserve the Union. Lincoln didnt want the US to be the laughing stock of the world and his strong dedication to fight for the Union and America may have cost civil liberties, but it got the job done.Custom writing service can write essays on Potential Questions on The Civil War

.) The Civil War began in 1861. Why was it 186 before Lincoln committed the Union to the emancipation of slaves?

Lincoln knew that if he fought the war only to free the slaves that the would have a very hard time running the war because of the feelings of many in the North. He feared that if he issued it at the wrong moment not only would it cause problems in his cabinet, but also with the elected officials of several states as well as with his army. Other added worries were the border states like Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri, which had strong southern pro-slavery feelings and if he made slavery the reason for the war those states could very well have formally sided with the Confederacy. He was a master politician had to wait until the proper time to take action. After the influential and important Union victory at Antietam, Lincoln decided the time was right! His issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation called slaves in rebelling states to be given full freedom. It did, however, add another objective to the list on the fight between the Rebels and the Yankees.

4.) What political factors effected Lincolns approach to the goals and conduct of the war? Why was he a more successful political leader than Jefferson Davis?

Both presidents had major political problems to deal with during the war. The main problem that Lincoln had especially as the war dragged on were the Peace Democrats, and the Radical Republicans. Lincoln also had problems with the Congress who had formed a committee that would oversee the way the war was run, and who would look over almost every decision made by Lincoln and also hold hearings on the action the military officers took during the war. Another legal predicament for Lincoln was the suspension of the writ of Habeas Corpus which curbed rioting and resistance against the war effort. As much trouble as Lincoln had, Jefferson Davis had an even harder time with his political rivals. The Confederacy was formed on the idea of the states being more important that the whole federal government. Davis quickly learned that the main government had to control certain things which many of the state governors did not agree with. The south had a difficult time obtaining the supplies needed to wage war and he tried to get the different states to supply the main army (which was hard in itself already). Many of the states refused to do this and believed that they were their men from their state so they only wanted to supply their men and not the Confederate Armies. Davis definitely had the harder time. He was a "rigid" man who believed in managing things little at a time. Some thought him to be cold and unfeeling which was not completely true but his personality was one of rigidness which made him hard to approach. Lincoln on the other hand had a capability in dealing with people. He was a sharp and able man who was very approachable and used humor a great deal to put people at ease. He knew how to handle people and get the most out of them.

5.) At the outset of the Civil War, the South confidently anticipated that King Cotton would guarantee it

European intervention. Why didnt this intervention materialize?

At the time just prior to the Civil War and during the first part of the war the south wanted to use its cotton as a tool to help bring countries like England and France into the war onto the side of the Confederacy. To do this they held back the exportation of cotton to foreign countries. The south hoped that the foreign countries would need the cotton so much that they would aid the south. Unfortunately for the south their were bumper crops of cotton in countries such as Egypt and India so the pressure on the foreign countries was not so great as to force those countries to give in and aid the south. The Union also intensified obstruction which controlled southern exports. Furthermore, the Emancipation Proclamation was used by Lincoln to keep other nations from helping the south during the Civil War, because he wanted to show the outside world that this war was being fought over slavery by people who wanted nothing more that to retain this horrid institution. It had the desired effect on foreign nations that were considering joining the war on the side of the Confederacy. Countries such as England and France did not wish to be identified with a government which supported this abhorrent practice and they did not join the Confederacy in its fight. So, because of this the Confederacys ploy to use cotton as a weapon failed to materialize.

6.) What were the key military and political turning points of the Civil War and why did the South hold onto hopes of achieving its goals as late as 1864 and even early 1865?

There were several key military turning points in the war and not all historians agree as to what they were and in what order to place them. I believe the main ones were the battle of Gettysburg which pushed the Confederate forces under General Robert E. Lee back into Virginia, the Union victory at Vicksburg one day after the Union victory at Gettysburg, the elevation of Union General Ulysses S. Grant to the rank of Lt. General and command of all Union forces and finally the Atlanta Campaign of Union General William Sherman and his subsequent March to the Sea through Georgia. Another important key point was the Battle of Antietam which although McClellan failed to dismantle Lees army but he did manage to halt Lees first invasion on northern soil. The key political points were the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation by Lincoln which not only made the issue of slavery a reason for the north to fight the war but it also stopped foreign nations such as England and France from entering the war on the side of the Confederacy. The south believed they could still win the war because of their past effectiveness against the Union forces. It was not until 1864 when Grant took command that the south began fighting a general who knew how to win and that was to make it a war of abrasion. They also had great faith in their main general Robert E. Lee. Other points were the hopes of a negotiated peace especially if Lincoln lost the 1864 election which he was expected to lose, and they clinged to the hope that they could get England and France to enter the war on their side.

7.) Explain why General Sherman conducted his devastating march to the Sea. Explain in what ways this was like conducting modern total war".

General Ulysses S. Grant had taken command of all the Union Armies and it was his plan for him to march toward the Confederate capitol of Richmond, Virginia while General Sherman moved into the deep South. He then led his Army of Tennessee and led it on a march to Atlanta, through Georgia, and up the East Coast. Notorious throughout the South to this day, General Sherman brought the South "to its knees" by ordering large-scale destruction. So, the importance of Shermans March to the Sea was to first destroy the Souths compliance and ability to continue the war, capture an important sea port, and finally to act like a vice with General Grant and trap one of the last strong Confederate Armies between them. Sherman was considered the first general to utilize what would be deemed total war meaning that he would not only target the military but civilian property as well to take out the will of the enemy to fight. The resources of the opposing sides were completely used.

8.) Explain the economic, diplomatic and military results of the Union victory and Confederate defeat in the Civil War.

The Civil War brought booming prosperity to the North. Government purchases for military needs stimulated manufacturing and agriculture. The production of coal, iron and steel, weapons, shoes, and woolen clothing increased greatly. Farmers vastly expanded their production of wheat, wool, and other products. Exports to Europe of beef, corn, pork, and wheat doubled. Factories and farms made the first widespread use of labor-saving machines, such as the sewing machine and the reaper. The north also established the national banking system, standard currency. As in the North, manufacturing and agriculture in the South were adapted to the needs of war. Cotton cultivation dropped harshly, while food production was greatly increased. The South thus tried to adjust to meet wartime needs, but its economy became strained almost to the breaking point. The attempt to finance the war by taxation and borrowing from the people was unsuccessful. During the Civil War, the South tried to bring political power under the control of a single authority. But it was not victorious. Also, southerners had long opposed a strong central government. There was also opposition to the war and Lincolns policies came chiefly from the Democratic Party, especially from a group known as the Peace Democrats, who wanted the war stopped. Republicans considered the Peace Democrats disloyal and deceitful and called them Copperheads. The Lincoln Administration was also criticized by Radical Republicans. They wanted the government to move more quickly to abolish slavery and to make sweeping changes in the Southern way of life. The Civil war inflicted many casualties as well. About 60,000 soldiers died during the Civil War. The Union lost about 60,000 troops, and the Confederacy about 60,000. More than half the deaths were caused by disease. About a third of all Southern soldiers died in the war, compared with about a sixth of all Northern soldiers. As you can see, the Union was much better off than the Union. It is clearly understandable why the Union won the Civil War.

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