The award-winning 2011 book titled Lincoln and The Triumph of Nations by author Mark E. Neely Jr. is an insightful piece of literature that seeks to explore the constitutional wartime experiences of both the Union and the Confederacy alike. The author also depicts the constitutional dilemmas that President Lincoln was presented with throughout the American Civil War. In addition to the wartime experiences of both the Union and Confederacy, the issue of slavery, and the struggle for central power, Neely puts into play a nationalistic interpretation of Civil War constitutionalism in the United States. Neely’s argument seeks to help the reader understand how the intricacies of constitutionalism helped create and fuel the ideas of American nationalism …show more content…
It is noted that “in suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus while congress was not in session, Lincoln did exactly what he should have done to save the Union” (p. 104). What Lincoln did was necessary to ensure the Union remained intact and its citizens remained loyal. In his text, Neely asserts that there were three main issues of the civil war which are as follows- the sources of Lincolns constitutionalism ideas and thought process, the writ of habeas corpus, and emancipation. These three aspects were crucial throughout the Civil War but another aspect that was more paramount and influential in the eyes of Neely was that of the Federal and Confederate constitutions. Both of these constitutions served as instruments to fuel nationalism amongst their respective sides. According to Neely, the Confederate constitution “was a deliberately imitative cousin of the U.S. constitution” (p. 14). In fact, the Confederate constitution was almost identical to that of the United
While the North tried to stop the South from withdrawing their spot in the Union, the North also denied the Southern states rights. Sectional groups assembled in the North regarding the “unnatural feeling and hostility” to slavery in the South. “ By consolidating their strength, they have placed the strength... no avail in protecting Southern rights (Document I). The Northerners believed that slavery is not right, and also that “the demand of African slavery throughout the confederacy” is unheard of.
Abraham's time as president was a very controversial time where Abraham had to make many hard decisions. One of Abraham's hardest decisions to make was the decision to suspend the writ of habeas corpus. Abraham suspending habeas corpus was a good idea, mainly because the rebellions in the south would have gotten worse if he hadn't made this suspension. The writ of habeas corpus is a law in the constitution that allows a person under arrest to be brought before a judge or court to secure a person's release. Abraham did not want to suspend this law, but he was pretty much forced too.
Since the southern states were considered rebels, rebelling against the US, the public safety may require for the privilege of habeas corpus to be suspended. Thus, Lincoln’s suspension of habeas corpus did not infringe on a citizen’s right to habeas corpus, but rather, it was permitted by the
The United States Constitution was established to provide basic rights and a government for the people. Much blood was shed, along with many casualties in the American Revolution to insure Americans could implement the policies and powers of the Constitution. In the election of 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States; however, his political views on slavery were not welcomed in the South. Consequently, Lincoln’s election sparked panic for the South knowing that he would undermine slavery. In order to insure that slavery continued, Southern states attempted to make two Constitutional provisions; consequently, they were denied.
The Civil War was perhaps the deadliest war in American history, with roughly 600,000 casualties between the Northern and Southern states. The land was left in utter destruction, and the economy was weakened by the expensive war costs. Though the Southern states were admitted back into the Union, tensions between the former Confederate States and the Union states still existed. Upon the war’s end, slaves were freed, and granted the right to the pursuit of happiness and to vote. However, Reconstruction can be considered a failure since it isn 't until the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960’s that these rights are actually protected, and southern and northern states are properly assimilated.
The American Civil War and the Reconstruction periods played an important role in defining the nation’s political, social, and economic identity in the sense that the country’s survival and democratic principles were radically tested. As the country was becoming a hemispherical power, sectional tensions and dissenting attitudes of opposing groups make these periods comparable with the Revolutionary War in three major components: the issue of slavery and struggle for equality, the role of the federal government vs. states’ rights, and scuffles related with economic power. Prior to the Revolutionary War, there was an existing struggle between social classes as the southern states had an inflexible social structure, whereas in the northern states the Industrial Revolution was beginning to take place, causing a dramatic shift of labor force after the country gained its independence in 1783. With the invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney in 1791, southern landowners took advantage of the slave force to increase their profits radically, and this reliance on slaves for the
The fate of their country by Michael Holt is a book made up of 3 to 4 sections, titled Pandora's Box, The Wilmot Proviso, The Compromise of 1850, The Kansas-Nebraska Act. Author Michael Holt examines what caused the Civil War and the Pandora’s Box of sectional dissent territorial slavery issue over slavery into all current and future western territories also the Missouri crisis debate. It wasn’t slavery per the book but the debates about the extension of slavery into new territories and states that sent the nation careening into civil war, argues writer Michael Holt. He gives his readers an analysis of the partisan political forces, on the great debate over the extension of slavery into the American West.
In February 1861, a new government was on the horizon in the United States, known as the Confederate States of America. Composed of seven states from the South, this new government looked to separate from a union that they felt was tipping in power towards those who wanted to threaten the rights of the South, especially slavery. Similarly, in early 1775, colonists were preparing for revolution against a power that they felt oppressed their rights and wanted to take away their liberties. However, the Civil War was a not a complete representation of a second American Revolution. The Civil War was more than an unsatisfied party rebelling against a larger power, but a clash between two vastly different ways of life.
THE LIFE AND PRESIDENCY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN Abraham Lincoln was born near Hodgenville, Kentucky on February 12, 1809 to Tom and Nancy Hanks Lincoln. He had a sister named Sarah and a brother Thomas. Abraham Lincoln would grow up to become the 16th President of the United States. He served as President from 1861 to 1865 when he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford Theater in Washington DC.
It is eerily personal, as we complete this course reading about the civil war and living through today’s adversarial climate of protesters, division of social, economic and political parties. As Abraham Lincoln said in the Gettysburg Address “and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this earth” (Lincoln 428). The Civil War, while largely believed to be largely about slavery it appears to me that state’s right played just as an important role in the actual cause and continuance of the war. The division of the states and their prosperity, industry, education and representation in Congress divided this country, much as it is today.
“The lack of… nationality, I believe, is one of the great evils of the times…” Senator John Sherman stated on February 10, 1863. The United States had been split into sections from the beginning, and it created a lack of unity and togetherness. In Document A, the reader can acquire from the reading that South Carolina (and later many other states) seceded from the Union because of states’ rights. Document A states that an amendment (specifically the
Abraham Lincoln and Civil War America is a biography that tells the life and success of Abraham Lincoln. At the beginning it talks about his life and how rough he grew up. As Lincoln grew up he wanted to learn to read and write because he was ashamed that his father couldn 't. Lincoln learning to read and write was a key factor to help him win the election and become as successful as he was. Even as a young child Lincoln claims to naturally be anti-salvory ( page 281). This is important to his stand point during the war.
However, these differences show that the North and South were actually two distinct countries held together by one constitution. The North felt that decisions regarding slavery and its legality were entrenched in the central government while the South felt that such decision belonged to the individual states. In the times preceding the war, both sides could not reach a compromise. Bonner mentions, “Because secession and war were permitted to come, warned Russel, "We are not entitled to lay the flattering unction to our souls that the Civil War was an inevitable conflict (Bonner, 195).” Hence, these differences could only be addressed through war.
Abe Lincoln Books – Extra Credit Assignment Name:Prajeet Sangamnerkar ID #2003533 Date 01/21/18 Teacher:Mrs.LaScola Period 2 What is the author’s purpose for writing this book? The author’s purpose for writing this piece it to inform the audience that life has it it’s obstacles, but one cannot just ignore them.
Over hundreds of years America has had many presidents, some able to complete the tasks at hand, but many were not worthy of leading this nation. President Abraham Lincoln was one of the few who led the United States of America with great strength and courage. Abraham Lincoln was the best U.S. president because he had a great impact on ending slavery and he was one of the greatest natural strategists and leaders of all time. Abraham Lincoln is considered to be America 's wisest president. Abraham Lincoln, "proved to be a shrewd military strategist and a savvy leader during what became the costliest conflict ever fought on American soil."