Showing results for "1862" in Politics & Government

Dive into the richly detailed narrative of the Civil War, a Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece by Rhodes. This comprehensive overview not only chronicles the key battles and influential generals but also delves into the intricate politics, economics, and international relations of the era. Rhodes skillfully distinguishes between fact and opinion, ensuring clarity as he illuminates the strategies and mindsets that shaped this tumultuous period. Engaging and insightful, this account of the Civil War promises to captivate and educate readers alike. NOTE Footnotes will not be read but can be found...

Immerse yourself in this Pulitzer Prize-winning account of the Civil War, penned by the esteemed historian Rhodes in 1918. This expertly crafted overview goes beyond mere battles and generals, providing a rich exploration of the political, economic, and international factors that shaped this tumultuous period. Rhodes offers valuable insights into the strategies and mindsets of the time, clearly distinguishing between facts and his personal perspectives. Comprehensive and engaging, this history promises to enlighten and captivate readers at every turn. NOTE Footnotes will not be read but can be...

The consensus view of the Civil War - that it was first and foremost a war to restore the Union, and an antislavery war only later when it became necessary for Union victory - dies here. James Oakes’s groundbreaking history shows how deftly Lincoln and congressional Republicans pursued antislavery throughout the war, pragmatic in policy but steadfast on principle. In the disloyal South the federal government quickly began freeing slaves, immediately and without slaveholder compensation, as they fled to Union lines.

Horace Greeley (1811-1872) was the founder and editor of the influential New York Tribune, whose circulation was among the largest in the United States. On August 19, 1862, Greeley wrote an editorial titled “The Prayer of Twenty Millions"—referring to the number of Northerners loyal to the Union—which criticized Lincoln for his reluctance to use the powers Congress had given him to confiscate southern property, including slaves, in order to emancipate them. The following is President Abraham Lincoln's reply, published in the Daily National Intelligencer on August 23, 1862.

Lincoln struggles with William Seward's thirst for power while the Fort Sumter question comes to the forefront of the nation's politics. To supply Fort Sumter would incite hostilities with the South and to desert Sumter would imply acknowledgment of the Confederacy. It is a decision that cannot be made lightly. As time goes by without a verdict, the North starts to question the strength of their government. Seizing the opportunity, Seward secretly begins negotiations with the South based on unfounded promises.

Cameron is replaced by Stanton. The president begins to supervise the army and take charge of his administration. By presidential order, McClellan is goaded into moving from a defensive position to an offensive. Instead of following Lincoln's plan, McClellan chooses an attack on Richmond. McClellan's indecisiveness and tardiness in battle have many pushing for a replacement. The Union suffers a crushing defeat in the Seven Days Battle. During all this, Willie Lincoln dies of fever.