Explanations:
This photo shows President Lincoln addressing the Union Soldiers prior to the Battle of Antietam. In discussing the battle plans, President Lincoln uses the Union victory as insight to how the war will end. Due to his confidence in the Union army, Lincoln releases the Emancipation Proclamation. With previous Union losses, Lincoln hoped to turn the military and political focus of the war to a moral cause.
This political cartoon depicts the primary reason for the Civil War. The main goal of the Civil War, depending on the side was about either preserving or seceding from the Union. The union leaders aimed to eliminate ideas of secession in every form, even if it meant declaring war.
This maps shows the divisions in political thought through commitment to political parties. The maps visually projects the sectionalism between the North and the South by the differences in political views. Though based on popular vote, the majority represents the state’s view.
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Sources:“A Federal band, which, eve and morn, Played measures brave and nimble, Had just struck up, with flute and horn And lively clash of cymbal. Down flocked the soldiers to the banks, Till, margined with its pebbles, One wooded shore was blue with "Yanks," and one was gray with "Rebels”.”
“Know nothing 'bout Abe Lincoln. Heard of 'im. Know nothing 'bout Jeff Davis. Heard of 'im. Know nothing 'bout Booker T. Washington. Heard of im. Know nothing 'bout patterollers. Heard 'em talkin' 'bout 'em.”
“I want to say, as we lay there and the shells were flying over us, my thoughts went back to my home, and I thought what a foolish boy I was to run away and get into such a mess as I was in. I would have been glad to have seen my father coming after me.”
“After the war, Pennsylvania was the only state to honor African American Union troops, and Chester served in 1865 as grand marshal in their Harrisburg parade.”
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Analysis:
The Civil War divided the United States not only geographically but also politically, economically and socially, causing great distress and chaos. Beliefs and actions of this time period have been preserved and later revealed in primary sources. The varied documents denote the extent and stages of influence the Civil War had on Americans.
Leading up to, in the middle of and following the Civil War, political cartoons epitomized and exemplified the causes and effects of the War of Secession. Political cartoons allow artists to utilize the people by expressing their views of situations and share these views publicly. General Winfield Scott of the Union is illustrated in a political cartoon created by Currier & Ives, The Hercules of the Union, slaying the great dragon of secession, showing the ills of the Confederate leaders. Each head of the great dragon represents a moral wrong that the Confederate leaders had committed. Whether it was perjury or treason, the Union was not accepting of it and aimed to eliminate it in every form. The discussion and action of secession created great disorder amongst Americans and politically drove the United States to war.
In the Civil War era, photos aid in the viewers understanding of the politics of the war. In the picture above, President Lincoln’s location is confirmed at a discussion of plans and tactics. Due to the visitation by the Commander in Chief, it is inferred that there will be a change on the federal level that will alter the course of the war. This potential turning point of the war reveals the connection between political leaders and the military in addition to draining power of the politically driven war.
Simple lyrics or beats of a drum served as empowerment for many soldiers fighting the War of Secession. By providing instruments the political leaders hoped to keep units uniform and steady in marching for long distances. Though they did not provide songs to sing, the leaders counted on music to maintain durable soldiers for better performances. For example, Till, margined with its pebbles, One wooded shore was blue with "Yanks," and one was gray with "Rebels” by John Reuben Thomas was a common song which united troops. Music supported and motivated soldiers in training and the battles of the Civil War.
The desperation of the political leaders are uncovered through the child’s perspective. It is known that the Civil War tore families apart, but with the lack of soldiers and the willingness of young boys, the enlistments of children increased. A young boy shares his regrets, “I thought what a foolish boy I was to run away and get into such a mess as I was in. I would have been glad to have seen my father coming after me”. This ill of the war shows the desperation and seriousness that each side, Union and Confederate, had to win the war.
The use of primary source documents allows readers and viewers to gain insight and perspective into to Civil War. Although, several decades have passed since the Civil War the documents help to preserve and verify events and philosophies in the times before, during and after the War of Secession.
Leading up to, in the middle of and following the Civil War, political cartoons epitomized and exemplified the causes and effects of the War of Secession. Political cartoons allow artists to utilize the people by expressing their views of situations and share these views publicly. General Winfield Scott of the Union is illustrated in a political cartoon created by Currier & Ives, The Hercules of the Union, slaying the great dragon of secession, showing the ills of the Confederate leaders. Each head of the great dragon represents a moral wrong that the Confederate leaders had committed. Whether it was perjury or treason, the Union was not accepting of it and aimed to eliminate it in every form. The discussion and action of secession created great disorder amongst Americans and politically drove the United States to war.
In the Civil War era, photos aid in the viewers understanding of the politics of the war. In the picture above, President Lincoln’s location is confirmed at a discussion of plans and tactics. Due to the visitation by the Commander in Chief, it is inferred that there will be a change on the federal level that will alter the course of the war. This potential turning point of the war reveals the connection between political leaders and the military in addition to draining power of the politically driven war.
Simple lyrics or beats of a drum served as empowerment for many soldiers fighting the War of Secession. By providing instruments the political leaders hoped to keep units uniform and steady in marching for long distances. Though they did not provide songs to sing, the leaders counted on music to maintain durable soldiers for better performances. For example, Till, margined with its pebbles, One wooded shore was blue with "Yanks," and one was gray with "Rebels” by John Reuben Thomas was a common song which united troops. Music supported and motivated soldiers in training and the battles of the Civil War.
The desperation of the political leaders are uncovered through the child’s perspective. It is known that the Civil War tore families apart, but with the lack of soldiers and the willingness of young boys, the enlistments of children increased. A young boy shares his regrets, “I thought what a foolish boy I was to run away and get into such a mess as I was in. I would have been glad to have seen my father coming after me”. This ill of the war shows the desperation and seriousness that each side, Union and Confederate, had to win the war.
The use of primary source documents allows readers and viewers to gain insight and perspective into to Civil War. Although, several decades have passed since the Civil War the documents help to preserve and verify events and philosophies in the times before, during and after the War of Secession.