Flashcards for Assignment 3: An "Unfinished Revolution?" America's Civil War & Reconstruction

"Emancipation"

Content Reading the painting counterclockwise starting on the top left, the image shows a desolate timage with running people, moves into a slave auction, then shows the brutality of slave owners whipping their slaves, shows the back-breaking world that the slaves went through, the poverty of slaves after their initial freedom, and finally the education that the black children would receive later into Reconstruction furthering the progress of American rhetoric and religious morals. Emancipation achieved through war and Lincoln's efforts create the ability for happiness and opportunity for black families. Significance This image is showing how emancipation has greatly helped black people obtain freedom, opportunity, and liberty, but there is still a fight against inequality, poverty, and discrimination which must be had to further American rhetoric, Christian values, and Lincoln's dream.

Excerpts from The Liberator

Context "The Liberator", a weekly abolitionist newspaper published by William Lloyd Garrison, continued for 35 years until the abolition of slavery occurred. Garrison was seen by many groups across America as an abolitionist radical who was widely scorned and disliked by society. Some went as far to ask for him to be imprisoned. Content Garrison wanted to make people feel impassioned about abolishing slavery, and he believed that the abolition movement would be more successful in the more liberal North than the South which relied heavily on institutionalized slavery. Garrison uses American rhetoric of freedom in the Declaration of Independence and religious morality to sway people to see slavery as a sin and immediate abolition as the only solution-- not gradual emancipation. Garrison believed that gradual emancipation was immoral and against the founding values of America. Garrison believed that although he was scorned by society for his radical views, his directness and harshness would be justified by future generations. Significance Garrison evoked American freedom rhetoric in founding documents and the religious immorality of slavery to disprove slavery. Because Garrison was so radical, he may have not been taken seriously by all his readers, but his message did spread very quickly across America.

The Mexican-American War

(1824-1848) Context With America's message of expansionism backed by ideology including Manifest Destiny and Mission, in which the idea that America is destined by God to expand their mighty message to other, lesser nation is introduced, America continued to expand Westward, provoking agitation and conflict in Mexico. Americans began to settle in Texas in which there were disputed lands and tensions between the American settlers and the Mexican controlled Texas. The Mexican government allowed for American to move to Texas for tax-free land to sponsor immigration so as to expand their economy in Texas. This effort was too successful as it prompted a huge migration of white settlers (mostly slave owners) to take over Texas until there were twice as many Americans than Mexicans in Texas. Content The Americans in Texas declared independence from Mexican controlled Texas, but they were defeated by General Santa-Ana of Mexico in the mythic battle of Alamo in which many white settlers were killed. This battle of Alamo prompted American popular opinion about their right and duty to expand into Mexico and defend their people there to increase significantly. In the Battle of San Jacinto, General Santa Ana was captured by American forces, and Texas was able to gain independence. General Taylor's army moved to Rio Grande, the border of Mexico and Texas, to provoke Mexican fighting and outraged which let Congress have justification to declare war, causing the Mexican-American war to officially begin. Significance After the end of the Mexican-American war in which American forces defeated Mexican ones, the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo made New Mexico and Texas part of the U.S. with the Rio Grande as the border between the two countries. Taylor was elected president over Polk because of his military victories and conquest during the Mexican-American war. America continued its Westward Expansion which newfound fervor and intensity as they continued to win in battles and fight off foreign forces.

"Lincoln Answers Greeley's Prayer"

(1862) Context Horace Greeley, the editor of the New York Tribune, wrote to Lincoln on behalf of the whole North asking him why the Northern government has not come out for the emancipation of slaves. Lincoln replied in the following letter that he spread among the public. Content Lincoln states that he will not point out the errors of the Greeley, but he will instead clarify his values and objectives as president for the American people. Lincoln states that his goal is to save the Union by any means necessary as soon as possible. Lincoln will not take a specific side on slavery unless it helps lead to saving the Union from separation. Finally, Lincoln states that he will do anything and everything possible to serve his political duty to the nation to reunite the Union, but he still personally wishes for slavery to be abolished and for everyone to be free. Significance Lincoln sees abolishing slavery not as first priority; rather, his first priority and duty is to help reunite and save the Union from destruction and division. Although Lincoln personally wants slavery to abolished and for people to be free, Lincoln puts his political duty first. Lincoln is trying to remain semi-neutral among the Republicans and for the border-states as he is not taking a firm stance on slavery so as to avoid threatening any pro-slavery or gradual emancipation supporters.

"Black Codes"

(1865) Context The Black Codes were the Southern effort to compensate for free slaves in their society while still maintain antebellum Southern culture and values. The Black Codes were influenced by previous free slave laws, vagrancy (homelessness laws), slavery, etc. The Black Code laws limit the rights of blacks in Southern society, but they were made ineffective by the 14 Amendment, the Military Reconstruction Act, and the Civil Rights Act. Content In the Mississippi Code, free blacks cannot intermarry with whites, can participate in courts-- credibility and competence can be checked, must have contracts with their employers which they cannot leave from without "good reasons" which must be determined and approved by the court, and anyone who helps a deserted free black will be punished along with the deserter with a fine and imprisonment. In both the Mississippi and Louisiana Codes, any free black under the age of 18 who is orphaned or does not have competent parents can be taken as an apprentice for a family until they are older than 18 years old. The apprentice cannot leave their family as they are contracted to remain with them until they are old enough to work for money (otherwise, punishment); all the family has to do is educate, clothe, and feed the apprentice, and the apprentice is required to work for them in a sort of indentured servitude. If free blacks, or laborers as they are called in the Louisiana Codes, do not comply to their contracts, apprenticeships, or punishments, they can be hired by a white person who will pay their fines, and who they are required to work for once they pay off their fines. Significance The Black Codes are effectively maintaining institutionalized slavery by paying blacks very little money and requiring them to work under contracts. The apprenticeships are effectively indentured servitude which can be extended if the court decides that the slave is not yet of age. If the courts in the South are not just and honorable (which they were not), then slavery can continue to exist in the South with the approval of the courts of extending "contracts" and "apprenticeships".

Letters by Robert E. Lee, Appomattox, VA

(1865) Context The Union had successfully split the Confederacy into two vulnerable, disconnected sections at the beginning of 1865. The Vice President of the Confederacy, Alexander Stephens, and Lincoln met to discuss the Confederacy's terms of surrender, but the Confederacy refused to surrender unless they were recognized as a free nation. Because the politicians could not settle the war, the two commanding generals of the Union and Confederacy who were both distinguished graduates of Westpoint had to fight to resolve the conflict. When Lee's forces were surrounded by Grant's at the end of the war, Lee surrendered resulting in the conclusion of the Civil War. Content Lee wrote multiple letters to Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy, about the state of his Confederate army and their surrendering. In the first letter, he addresses his men and states that he is so proud of all the work that they have done and their loyalty and bravery and that he is very sad he must leave them (assuming this is after the war was over or they surrendered?). In the second letter, Lee describes how the Confederate army was forced into surrendering due to their lack of supplies, rest, and organization. In the final letter, Lee tells Davis about the low Confederate moral; he advises that the Confederacy surrender because they cannot beat the tough Union forces in their current, hopeless state. Lee advises that the Confederacy cut their loses, surrender to the Union, and preserve the lives of their soldiers as there is no hope for a Confederate nation. Significance Lee is very matter-of-fact in his writing in which he describes the situations as they are without any bias. He clearly did not enjoy surrendering to the Union, but Lee will not waste his men's lives fighting a war which they cannot win. In his final letter, Lee accepts the fact that the Confederacy lost the war and believes they should surrender to the North.

"Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions", Seneca Falls

1848 Context The abolitionist movement and social reform efforts led to the American feminist movements as women began to challenge gender stereotypes, norms, and oppression and fight for gender equality. Women compared their fight for freedom to the abolition movement, arguing that society should be free and equal regardless of race or gender. *In a convention in Seneca Falls, New York in 1848, there was a discussion about women's rights which led to the drafting of the "Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions". Content Within their Declaration, the convention uses the Declaration of Independence rhetoric, but they include the idea that women are equal to men as well. The state that women have been oppressed by men within the American government and now is their necessary time for rebellion, rights, and social change/reform. Men have exploited and oppressed women by creating power dynamics over which they rule in terms of government and representation, property, natural rights, moral codes, religion, accountability, divorce, marriage, family, payment, work, education (college). After stating all the areas in which they are oppressed, the document ends demanding that women receive rights and citizenship in America equal to men. Significance The American Feminist Movement and this document use many of the same rhetorical and persuasive techniques to convince people of the necessity of women's rights and equality. The document uses American rhetoric and documents to call upon the necessity of equal rights for women to further the American sentiment of freedom. Finally, the document uses various examples (ethos), logical deduction of destroying American hypocrisy and furthering their values (logos), and sympathizing on the idea of humanity and universal human experiences of oppression for people to see women as oppressed and equal to men (pathos).

"Chase Upholds Free Soil"

1854 Context Senator Salmon P. Chase of Ohio was a free-soiler who believed in the abolition of slavery and freedom who was the secretary of treasury under Lincoln and a Chief Justice. Chase, other free-soilers, and abolitionists passionately argued against the Missouri Compromise, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and other compromises furthering American slavery. **These outrageous compromises made increased the tensions of Northerners towards the South and resulted in the formation of the Republican Party and the inability to compromise in the coming years. Content Chase argued what is increasing tension in America is not abolitionists and free-soilers, but actually the people such as Douglas trying to solve the issues of slavery through ineffectual compromises and slavery itself. Chase states that the new act which will take back the already unfair Missouri Compromise is more ridiculous and slavery-promoting than the last one. Chase states that slavery cannot be solved in America through compromise, and slavery will result in the fractionalization of the U.S.A. Chase believes that Americans have lost sight of their ideals and values founded in American documents and history that they are willing to implement popular sovereignty onto the decision regarding the oppression of a race. Only through rights for all will America be able to become fully democratic and ideal. Significance Chase argues that slavery is the source of all evil and fractionalization in America-- it is the institution which is causing the national divide to occur. He further believes that slavery goes against all American values and rhetoric as it limits the rights of people due to their race. Chase is disgusted and appalled that Americans have lost their sense of values and morals because of the evilness of slavery and its dehumanizing features.

The Debate over the Kansas-Nebraska Bill

1854 Context The Nebraska-Kansas Act was petitioned and supported by Illinois senator Arnold Douglass. Senator Douglas defends and explains his act in this speech in 1854. Content Douglas argued that if each state can decide its own stance on slavery, then the debate will not be national and cause fractionalization. He believe that the popular sovereignty principles of the Kansas-Nebraska Act applied to all of America will destroy the tension between the North and South. Douglass did not recognize the regional divides and borders between the North and South; he states that he fought for the American nation with the ideas founded in American principles and the Constitution. These ideals he was fighting for were the American values of freedom and equality through his idea of popular sovereignty over the slavery decision in each state. Significance Douglas defines popular sovereignty as the ability for citizens of America to decide on their own issues including slavery within their state boundaries. Douglas furthered this message of states' popular sovereignty in attempt to remove the slavery debate from the national eye and dissolve the national tensions and issues. Douglas believed that the Kansas-Nebraska Act would solve all of the divides in American so that the nation could focus on expanding westward and building a railroad.

The "House Divided Speech"

1858 Context After Lincoln accepted his Republican presidential nomination, he gave his "House Divided" speech in Springfield, Illinois on June 16th, 1858. Content Lincoln argued that the compromises regarding slavery instead of simply making a decision or creating a solution on slavery have increased sectional divides in the nation and the House of Representatives to the point where it is difficult for it to function. By Congress legalizing slavery by popular sovereignty and making it so that the federal and territorial government cannot abolish it, slavery has been accepted as an American truth by the Supreme Court's decision in the Dred Scott case. Slave are currently not considered citizens, the federal government nor the territorial government may abolish slavery, and slavery can be legalized in free states in the present day America. Lincoln calls upon Republicans to reduce the Democratic and pro-slavery rule in government before there is no ability for even states to abolish slavery and for slavery to be legalized in all regards. With slavery legalized, the African slave trade will regain power, thus it is necessary for Republicans to stay strong in their anti-slavery sentiment and continue to fight against slavery and corruption. Significance Lincoln uses his eloquence to explain the threatening situation that the Republicans are currently in in America as slavery is very close to being nationally legalized. Lincoln uses the dire situation and his historical background to explain that now, more than ever, Republicans must remain unified against the evils of slavery. Despite the easier root of hoping for politicians to change sides or staying with more compromises, the Republicans must make the push to abolition slavery which will hopefully decrease sectional tensions once the issues is settled.

Andre M. Fleche, "Introduction" in The Revolution of 1861

Argument: Fleche argued that the future for the definition of republicanism, nationalism, revolutionism, and equality in the Atlantic World depended upon the result of the Civil War. -Fleche also stated that when looking at the Civil War, it is essential to take a global perspective on the issue so as to put the war in global context and perspective-- global effects and legacy. -Both the Confederacy and the Union justified their causes in terms of the American and European (Enlightenment rhetoric) circulating the Atlantic World: 1. Confederacy-- right to revolution against an oppressive, tyrannical government 2. Union-- Southern slaveowners= European aristocracy fighting against republicanism -Fleche thought Marx would have supported the Union because of their emphasis on popular sovereignty that would eventually lead to communism-- betrayal that the Union turned to industrialism

"Foreigners in Their Native Land"

Context *There was much internal conflict in the wealthy, powerful Mexicans in New Mexico and California during the time of American conquest of the area as they felt loyal to Mexico, but American conquest sometimes would benefit them economically. This source recounts various perspectives of the Mexican governor of New Mexico, the Mexican governor of California, and a wealthy, female, Mexican aristocrat and their views on American conquest of Mexican territory. Additionally, the idea of Mission and having a moral duty to civilize nations was expressed by some Americans defending and justifying Manifest Destiny. Content The Mexican governor of New Mexico, Juan Bautista Vigil y Alarid, stated that citizens must respect the outcomes of war and the treaties that the two countries create, thus they must defer to American power and live their lives below a new nation of liberty and opportunity, America. The governor of California, Juan Bautista Alvarado, stated that even though America provided great industrial and economic opportunity for Mexicans, the Mexicans will continue to fight for their mother country out of loyalty and love which the Americans should not take to personal offense. Angustias de la Guerra, a female Mexican aristocrat argued that California had many issues under Mexican reign including violent Native Americans, sectional divisions within the country, plundering of government money, and lacking military which should lead them to accept American control with open arms. William P. Rogers believed that Mexican society was declining and although it would cause death, the conquering of Mexico and the destruction of its government to emplace American government would benefit humanity as a whole. Robert F. Stockton stated that Mexico was corrupt and the conquering of Mexico and the establishment of American control would greatly benefit the society; he argued that it was the American duty to civilize the Mexicans and establish American values. Significance There seems to be the widespread sentiment that American control and government would establish more economic and industrial opportunities for Mexicans. Some Mexicans clearly remain loyal to their mother country and do not want to radically change their lifestyle even if they may receive more education or rights which American expansionists did not understand. **American expansionists could not comprehend why Mexicans would stay loyal; because of the war capitalist and independent (free trade) values, they did not understand the value of nationalism, culture, and traditions. Americans tried to justify Westward Expansion by saying that they were helping these native people, when in reality, they would exploit them for their own economic gain once they gained control.

"The Late Convention of Colored Men"

Context Former slaves were not comfortable with the promised freedom that the received after the Civil War. Former slaves were without education, money, and property in America, so they met in conventions to discuss their grievances and request aid from the federal government. This source if a message from a freedmen convention of former slaves in Alexandria, Virginia in 1865. Content These free blacks argue that they supported the Union and fought for the North when they needed aid, so the North should repay them by ensuring that Confederates do not have the ability to oppress freedmen back into an enslaved-like condition. These free blacks argue that the Confederates have not changed their values or morals in which they believe in the inferiority of slaves and are not loyal to the Union, thus it is necessary for the federal government to keep the Confederates under military watch and deny them of some of their rights until the blacks are given rights legally. The black petitioners believe that the right to vote will allow them to remain independent and represented in government with their voice-- some may say that they will be manipulated by the more intelligent, crafty white, but the black people promise that they will never trust of be manipulated by whites again. Finally, blacks state that if they receive rights before the Confederate rights are returned to them after their violation, they will be legally protected and safe. Significance These black petitioners are attempting to maintain their freedom and liberty by guaranteeing their rights which the angry and condescending Confederates want to remove. The black petitioners believe that the right to vote and other basic civil rights, in combination with the limitation on the rights of the Confederates will keep them safe. The freedmen's convention argues that because the blacks helped out the North during the Civil War, the federal government owes it to these people to guarantee their freedom.

Autobiography of Frederick Douglass

Context Frederick Douglass was sent to a slave-breaker to get his soul and spirit crushed by a man named Mr. Covey. Mr. Covey used religious values to justify his barbaric treatment of the slaves. Douglass felt that he was broken during that time, and he reflected on his experience in an abolitionist speech. Content Frederick Douglass, who was a slave the first 20 years of his life, explained how the master owned the slave and had absolute power over the slave justified by Southern law and religion. The slave is seen as a brute and less than human who cannot have or own anything under the law, otherwise they are stealing from their masters. Slaves are exploited so their masters can be comfortable and live luxuriously, and the masters used physical abuse to crush the spirit of the slave. *Douglass described that it was the emotional, moral, and religious psychological torture which hurt slaves the most. Significance Douglass is clearly stating the truths about slavery in a way which shows how slavery is a system which destroys human beings. By appealing to empathy and universal human experiences, Douglass is attempting to show people how slavery is a truly evil institution. Douglass believes that once one understands the humanity of slaves, they can understand how truly barbaric slavery is on a mental level, more than the physical one.

Political Quadrille Cartoon and Summary

Context In reaction to the Dred Scott court decision and the ensuring election of 1860, this cartoon displays the ways in which the presidential candidates approached slavery. Content Dred Scott is controlling the scene by fiddling on his violin, setting the music and conversation through which the presidential candidates had to dance. Southern Democrat Breckinridge dances with James Buchanan who is depicted as a goat with devil horns. Abe Lincoln dances with a black woman to show his abolitionist values. Stephen Douglas dances with an Irishman to display his support of Irish immigrants. James Bell dances with a Native American as he was curious about their lifestyles and culture. Significance This image shows the different views of the presidential candidates and their various values and morals in relation to these debates. This cartoon was probably a northern sponsored cartoon as the only candidates depicted as evil are the deviled Southern Democrats.

Boston Freedman Warning

Context In reaction to the strengthening of the Fugitive Slave Act and the acceptance and justification of slavery in the Dred Scott court case, some Bostian abolitionists printed the following poster. Content This poster is warning free blacks to be on the lookout and wary of police and authority figures in Boston as they are instructed to return and capture any runaway slaves to their Southern masters. The print states that slaves should avoid these Southerners for their personal safety. Significance This print was made by Northern abolitionists or anti-slavery people who wanted to ensure that free blacks in Boston remained free. This print shows the rejection of the pro-slavery legislature, laws, and sentiments in America by abolitionists who would go against the law to warn free blacks.

"Lincoln-Douglas Debates"

Context In the year 1858, Lincoln and Douglas had seven debates about their opposing parties and positions for the Senate election. Lincoln was the Republican nominee, and Douglas was the Democratic nominee. This debate is from their second of the seven debates. Content Douglas Douglas argues in response to the first question that Kansas can be accepted in the United States without a population count due to a Congressional decision. Douglas next states that people have the ability and right to exclude slavery by unfriendly legislation before a State constitution is drafted (popular sovereignty). Douglas next argues that the Supreme Court would never limit the right of the state to exclude slavery as that would be unconstitutional. Finally, Douglas states that he would let America expand naturally irrespective of the slavery perspective of the accepted states because he thinks America would suffer from stunted growth. With the increase in American population and the influx of immigrants and refugees coming into America, America needs to be able to grow. Lincoln Lincoln states that Douglas argues that Kansas can be an exception to the English Bill stating the necessity of a population count before acceptance into America. Lincoln argues that people cannot exclude slavery before a State constitution is drafted because slaves are considered property which can only be removed by law. Additionally, although Douglas argues that slavery needs police enforcement to exist, thus it can only exist in an organized society, Lincoln provest ath it is actually the opposite-- that the abolition of slavery needs police enforcement. Lincoln ends with the idea that if slavery in considered a natural right in the Constitution (to most American readers), and politicians pledge allegiance to protect and enforce the Constitution, how can any loyal government member that sees slavery in the Constitution be anti-slavery without be unconstitutional and contradicting their values. Additionally, without having any laws to enforce slavery, how can it be a guaranteed natural right? Significance Douglas attempts to remain very neutral and detached in all of his responses as he carefully steps around seeming to have a view on the role of slavery. Lincoln points out many flaws that come with Douglas' too broad and vague compromises that he proposes to slavery. Lincoln implies that the only way for abolitionists and anti-slavery advocates to have a voice in government, which is yet another natural right, is to remove slavery as a natural right. Lincoln proves that the slavery question must be addressed head on, and he implies that slavery the immoral fact and is tearing America apart.

"Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl"

Context Jacobs was the first female slave to write a narrative including her experiences in sexual abuse. Jacobs' goal was to show the hypocrisy of slavery which contradicted Southern cultural values. Jacobs was an abolitionist and an activist who exposed the sexual assault which terrorized young female slaves so as to gain sympathy from Northern women to show them the evilness of slavery. **In order to maintain her idea of morality which contradicted the sinning she did with her consensual sex with Sawyer in order to keep her relationship to the moral white women to whom she was writing, Jacobs stated that blacks could not be held responsible for decisions they made during slavery because they were not free. Jacobs portrayed her view of slavery as the ultimate evil and source of sin in society. Writing and reading gave slaves the power to rebel against the slave owners by sharing their narratives and exposing their abuse, setting themselves free from the yoke of slavery by scorning its legacy. Content Harriet Jacobs escaped from her household in hopes that after a very long time, her master would give up on her return and sell her children to Sawyer, who would buy and free them. Harriet Jacobs relied on her support system and connections through her family and friends to remain in hiding despite the imprisonment of her family including her young children. Jacobs was determined to free her children, and she knew that if she remained with her master, he would never free her children in order to have control and power over her. Jacobs was desperate to create a better life for her children and family, and through the help of friends and unlikely supporters, Jacobs was able to evade capture and free her children. Significance Jacobs' narrative provides an image into why the Civil War was successful. Although many people still had slaves, some slaveowners did not morally think that slavery was correct and were willing to treat slaves well and help hide fugitives from a barbaric and evil fate. It is because of the community oriented slave society and familial and friend connections that allowed slavery to be abolished in America.

"Speech on the Removal of Confederate Monuments in New Orleans"

Context Mitch Landrieu, the mayor of New Orleans, gave a speech in 2017 about the removal of Confederate statues. Content Landrieu argues that the Confederacy monuments display a legacy of white supremacy and slavery in society. Also, these monuments further the false history of the Cult of the Lost Cause in which they play down the oppression of the Confederacy and play up their ideals of Southern culture. Effectively, Landrieu states that these monuments revere and further the mission of the Confederacy, and the most effective steps for the future are to find new symbols to replace these monuments with which represent a shift towards a unified world and culture in New Orleans based on the greater American message of freedom and equality. Significance Landrieu argues that although it is important to remember the past mistakes in history, the monuments instead show the legacy of slavery and white supremacy in American culture. It is necessary to take down these monuments so as to create a peaceful and unified world which is moving past its history of divisions without forgetting their warnings that they taught. Landrieu is not promoting ignoring the past; thus he believes it is necessary to move past the legacy of oppression and false history that these monuments symbolize by removing them from American culture.

"The Gettysburg Address"

Context President Abraham Lincoln gave a speech called The Gettysburg Address on November 19th, 1863 to commemorate the dead Union soldiers who died in the Battle of Gettysburg. Content Lincoln states in his address that 87 years ago, the founding fathers of America created the nation that the Union is now fighting to protect on the ideas and values of liberty and equality. The Civil War was threatening the message and idea of the American nation, and the soldiers who gave their lives in the Battle of Gettysburg were fighting to preserve the American nation and ideology from extinction. In order to honor the dead who sacrificed their lives and ensure that they did not die in vain, it is necessary for the living to continue the cause which they gave their lives for. The living must fight and protect the American nation and promise as the dead Union soldiers valiantly did in their last moments-- the American nation must live on to ensure that the soldiers did not die in vain. Significance Lincoln uses pathos, logos, and ethos in his speech in which he argues that to make sure that the soldiers did not die in vain, the Union must take increased fervor in fighting for the Union and preserving the American nation. The Civil War is described by Lincoln as a force which is threatening America to test if its values and ideology can realistically survive and prosper in the world. In order to America to be a "city upon a hill" for other nations and continue to spread its ideology and rhetoric of freedom, equality, and republicanism, the Union must be able to defeat the Confederacy to preserve itself.

Excerpts from Taney's Decision in Dred Scott v. Sanford

Context Roger Taney, the majority leader of the Supreme Court, argued his view on slavery and Constitutionality in the following excerpts of his decision. Content Taney argued that the founding American documents including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were not intended to have slaves considered as anything but property. Because of the previous English influence in America and the social acceptance of slavery during America's early years, the framers of these documents would not have considered slaves human or citizens because that would have been out of line with their personal and national values and identity. **Taney argued that was necessary to accept these founding American documents as they were intended to be read with the context of the acceptance of slavery during the times because of the greatness, honor, and trustworthiness of the framers of them who knew what America was going to need a nation going forwards in time-- these needs included slavery. Taney also shares the common sentiment that the African race was morally lesser, uncivilized, and overall inferior to whites. Significance By justifying slavery in the founding American documents through understanding them in the context in which they were written, Taney effectively justifies slavery in law in America. This court decision made many Northerners and abolitionists upset that slavery was accepted as a keystone of society that only the individual states could remove, but the federal government had no power to deny individuals of their right to property which included slaves. Taney's decision effectively increased tensions and sectionalism between the North and South as the federal government continued to avoid answering or creating a solution to the slavery debate which was causing disunity throughout America.

The Rise of American Abolitionism

Context The freedom and equality rhetoric which had long been circulating the Atlantic World in terms of only white men was extended to black slaves (and women) during the antebellum era in America. With the rising sectional tensions and the national question of slavery and its relationship with Westward Expansion, slavery became the focus of the American nation, both unifying and dividing groups. Content Abolitionists from the North began to passionately renounce slavery for its evil and dehumanizing characters. Abolitionists including William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Jacobs, and John Brown called upon American independence and Enlightenment rhetoric in their arguments against slavery. These abolitionists used previous American rhetoric so as to display the hypocrisy of the American nation by limiting natural rights and privileges to a select few when the "American" message portrayed in the American Exceptionalist image was one of equality. Significance It was these abolitionists that cultivated the anti-slavery sentiment in the North and scared the South into questioning their role in the Union. It was John Brown's violent actions in Harper's Ferry which resulted in the secession of the South due to their fear that Brown was sponsored by Republicans which would imply that the whole federal government, as it was in the power of the Republicans, was against slavery and the South (this is false).

Civil War Soldiers' Letters

Context This source is a series of letter written by various Civil War soldiers to their families, friends, or loved ones about their situation in the war. Content Confederate Soldier from North Carolina One Confederate soldier wrote of his personal condition, others' condition on his regiment, and his hatred for the Union forces. This Confederate soldier described the terrible conditions they are in with limited food and clothing, but, more than anything, he emphasized his desire to see the Union forces destroyed and burning. Union Doctor from New Hampshire A Union doctor described his exhaustion and terrible days that he witnesses as a doctor-- the worst days to him are those after the battles when the dead and dying are lying on the field, suffering miserably. The only motivation or dreams that this doctor has is to return to his family and see his loved ones, town, and local business again. The doctor also stated how he liked the Confederate prisoners that the Union took and how they were good men. Significance The Confederate soldier seems to despise the Union and their soldiers, wishing to see them all dead. Whereas the Union doctor does not have any personal grudges or anger towards the Confederacy; rather, he seems to be wondering why God brought about this war. From these excerpts, there seems to be much death and sadness from both the union and Confederacy, but the Confederacy seems to be more personally against the Union.

Memoirs

Context Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th American president and the general of the Union during the American Civil War. Grant wrote his personal memoirs about the Mexican War and his experience throughout his life. Content There were many tensions between major generals in the Mexican War as they hoped to use their military success, achievements, and glory in the war to help them upstart their political campaigns for president. President Polk felt threatened by these motives, so he made sure to limit the success of any one general so as to decrease his competition. With the election of Lincoln and the abolitionist sentiment growing in the North, the South seceded in rebellion and revolution which was their inherent right protected by the Constitution. The Constitution did not allow individual states to secede to remove divisional threats from the Western states, but because it allowed revolution, the South was able to secede which was seen by many as impulsive, suicidal, and impractical. The Constitution was not intended to be an eternal document for America, but with the Industrial Revolution and the rise of machinery, the Constitution did not accommodate for all of the social changes in America-- divisions and tensions. The South seceded because of their arrogance, elitism, and condescendence in which they believed that they had the power to create their own nation and leave the U.S. **For Grant, the Mexican War allowed him to create relationships with other generals whom he later fought against, so he was able to humanize them and learn from their weaknesses. Significance This source discusses the role of the Constitution and tensions in creating the Civil War. Many Northerners did not take the South seriously when they threatened secession because they saw it as suicidal and impossible. Grant states that if people worked together more to compromise and say what they desire, the Civil War and secession could have been avoided.

South Carolina's "Ordinance of Secession" and "Declaration of Independence" (1860)

Context With Lincoln's election and Brown's abolitionist violence in Harpers Ferry, the South felt that slavery was threatened and the North and Republicans would use violence against them, so they succeeded. In order to preserve slavery, the South saw secession as the only way to keep slavery from being abolished and slavery rebellions from ensuing. South Carolina passed an order of secession and their own declaration of independence on 1860 in a state convention in which they decided to succeed from the Union. Content Ordinance of Secession South Carolina states that they are breaking off from the Union and will no longer be under the control or laws of the United States of America. South Carolina Declaration of Independence South Carolina argues that they are seceding from the Union given the right guaranteed to American citizens in the Constitution that they are given the right to self-govern and abolish government if it become tyrannical or oppressive. The South Carolina legislature argues that the Constitution declared that they would protect states rights and ensure that slaves are returned to their masters in the Fugitive Slave Clause. If one group that signed the Constitution does not follow its laws, the other is not bound to those laws either; thus, because the North did not respect the Fugitive Slave Clause and acted against the Constitution, South Carolina does not have to respect the Constitution either because their rights to enslave people were violated by the corrupt U.S. government. Because of this corruption and unconstitutionality in the U.S. government, the Constitution and Union is no longer effective, and South Carolina will be seceded from the oppressive, tyrannical federal government with which they are faced. Significance The South Carolinian legislature wisely uses the founding document of America including the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and the Articles of Confederation to prove why the northern states are constitutional and corrupt. South Carolina poses their secession as an effort to maintain their rights and values from a corrupt government. South Carolina's Declaration of Independence against the "oppressive" U.S. government which is limiting their rights of property (slaves) guaranteed to them in the Constitution is very similar to the American Declaration of Independence against Britain-- they are purposefully making this connection to try to make South Carolina's secession seem like a noble and just cause.

"Brown's Final Statements"

John Brown, Harpers Ferry Virginia (1859) Context Brown was a violent abolitionists who threatened and terrified slave owners. In 1859, Brown and 19 other abolitionists raided a military arsenal with the hopes of freeing slaves, arming them, and starting a widespread slave rebellion. Southern and U.S. military forces captured Brown, put him on trial, and convicted him; this source is the last speech Brown gave before the court before receiving his sentence. Content Brown states that his intentions throughout his violent actions was only to free the slaves and help them to safety, not to commit treason or murder or create revolution. Brown believed that his actions were justified by God in the Golden Rule, and he stated that if he had done the same actions for any white people, he would not have been charged for murder. Brown states that he would gladly give his life for the abolition cause and that everyone who helped him came to him by free will. *In a note later that day, Brown wrote that he realized that violence was necessary to cleanse America of the evil slavery. Significance Brown argued that his intentions were always pure and honorable and that he did not necessarily intend for violence to occur. Brown's call to action for abolitions to violently rebel and fight against slavery sparked the secession of the South as they felt very threatened by this sentiment which they believed was endorsed by the Republican party. Brown provided a symbol for abolitionism and was deemed a martyr by many.